tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50259398661083204062024-03-24T00:10:15.895-07:00Longbox Junk!Comic book reviews nobody has ever asked for. . .Atomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07048497340899834399noreply@blogger.comBlogger313125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025939866108320406.post-53180507335092751872024-03-13T04:09:00.000-07:002024-03-13T04:09:13.289-07:00Longbox Junk - Catwoman #50 Welcome to Longbox Junk, where the comics are cheap and the reviews are free!<div><br /></div><div>Like it or lump it, comics in the 90s had a style of their own. You can just LOOK at a comic book without knowing a thing about it and know that it's a 90s comic. This is mostly because of Rob Liefeld and Company at Image Comics. They DEFINITELY put a stamp on the 90s that the "Big Two" scrambled hard to keep up with.</div><div><br /></div><div>And when you think of that 90s style, what comes to mind? Pouches, right? Straps and belts? Gritted teeth? Tiny feet? Giant, weird guns? Yep. . .all of that, but one of the things that simply SCREAMS 90s to ME is characters getting a shiny new suit of armor.</div><div><br /></div><div>I think maybe the most famous example of this is Batman, but there were MANY characters in the 90s who got an unfortunate makeover featuring a suit of armor. Captain America, Daredevil, Booster Gold, Blue Beetle, Spider-Man. . .and more, but that's all I can think of off the top of my head.</div><div><br /></div><div>And Catwoman. Yep. . .DC put some armor on Catwoman, of all characters. It didn't last long, so it's one of the more obscure 90s armor makeovers, but yeah. . .Catwoman.</div><div><br /></div><div>Let's take a look, shall we?</div><div><br /></div><div>WE SHALL!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">CATWOMAN #50</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">DC (1997)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCh0NNjI1oUEjGFQAaC2xyuMo-3paytC97GVBSgTaygp1jPnAhjKrMeUPCTBnFfCHnpoRw9RpXVg0fYvSV3Y8iK_K0luRakbaQXUsGyqY0W0yb1XHu8Z5gigU3Q0dCf36h9cTbAigLnDv-Hju0iEB_t4jPlQXWqCgFD1hXZsvRgYph9Aa3ghtvYial0-A/s612/catwoman%2050%20cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCh0NNjI1oUEjGFQAaC2xyuMo-3paytC97GVBSgTaygp1jPnAhjKrMeUPCTBnFfCHnpoRw9RpXVg0fYvSV3Y8iK_K0luRakbaQXUsGyqY0W0yb1XHu8Z5gigU3Q0dCf36h9cTbAigLnDv-Hju0iEB_t4jPlQXWqCgFD1hXZsvRgYph9Aa3ghtvYial0-A/w418-h640/catwoman%2050%20cover.jpg" width="418" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>COVER: Jim Balent</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">CATS IN THE NIGHT</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>SCRIPT: Doug Moench</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>PENCILS: Jim Balent</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>INKS: Robert Campenella & Sal Buscema</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>THE COVER:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Gritted teeth, tiny feet, armor. Yep. . .this is definitely a 90s comic. You can tell without even opening it up. That said, it's a pretty cool cover. You can't really tell because gimmick covers are hard to scan, but the whole grey tone background is actually shiny silver ink with Catwoman, the title, and the splash on top. It's a nice contrast. The purple and yellow really goes well with the silver ink. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> I'd go so far to say that this might be one of my favorite 90s gimmick covers. It never makes any "Top Ten" lists, but in MY book it's a winner! Let's get inside this thing.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>THE STORY:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">We begin our tale with Catwoman in her element, at night on a rooftop, on her way to steal some diamonds. She thinks the caper is going to be a cakewalk. . .but what kind of comic book fun is THAT?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXU_CRsaGmG5gedU1mwbsJfQmm2puroVum8MCCiweWzvONxr7A0sKZyXJjpV8B5peS4yatJcxFEuu3InyftcY88JYiYrADLhZvkVaClZpp2wljBI_tA_7U2JJBBcSoPKmKAOAkVPntOn_vv3cQRff4A038iWAlNhsC9GmtYrR25Hi-Om99GLRZOqme5ms/s2718/cw1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2718" data-original-width="1967" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXU_CRsaGmG5gedU1mwbsJfQmm2puroVum8MCCiweWzvONxr7A0sKZyXJjpV8B5peS4yatJcxFEuu3InyftcY88JYiYrADLhZvkVaClZpp2wljBI_tA_7U2JJBBcSoPKmKAOAkVPntOn_vv3cQRff4A038iWAlNhsC9GmtYrR25Hi-Om99GLRZOqme5ms/w464-h640/cw1.jpg" width="464" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">Out of nowhere, she's targeted by a missile that narrowly misses her! The explosion briefly knocks Catwoman unconscious. When she wakes, confused, she tries to find the source of the attack and fails. As she's deciding whether or not to continue with the planned theft, she's attacked again!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Catwoman immediately recognizes her attacker. . .Cyber-Cat! She'd recently had a run-in with her during a job at a Syntex lab (a few issues previously) and now it looked like Cyber-Cat was out for revenge!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhciF1i47gmV2_gIjDiqvTrEg0lKEns6bRpRvqawyOPQiZhyphenhyphen6yVoRNOnTTHIhAQVMm7t4rw66yA4xqjH4ea0nNBeFjseQdFmQcVTm6CFEMRBZHsRVt-CItbqmPP_LkTaBg7_rrCx0PGhqomI9dlUa_K4zzrXszsWlMU5890kc99YawbyqVGgnMK0OVzIjw/s3023/cw2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3023" data-original-width="1967" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhciF1i47gmV2_gIjDiqvTrEg0lKEns6bRpRvqawyOPQiZhyphenhyphen6yVoRNOnTTHIhAQVMm7t4rw66yA4xqjH4ea0nNBeFjseQdFmQcVTm6CFEMRBZHsRVt-CItbqmPP_LkTaBg7_rrCx0PGhqomI9dlUa_K4zzrXszsWlMU5890kc99YawbyqVGgnMK0OVzIjw/w416-h640/cw2.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Catwoman desperately fights for her life against her armored attacker, but it's definitely a one-sided battle as Cyber-Cat brutally beats on her, blaming Catwoman for humiliating her during their first encounter. Catwoman knows there's no way she's winning the fight, and so she decides to run. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCiDuWikRMfEip3vszQbxjd7WI2g372sV2FQ9ygIa4f5YG0JoLW08_UMsZMbrn1Ux7BGvb3950xvqahYuB1RMXJF6JkRrvno-QRMsXmilk98-DcwnjBIGsX4AZqC8XLK5sNy-N41gmIlaZGF8PgEONPeyydFJYbFWFGtgnT0QCqP0kP1uEAbMvNWWnaA/s3023/cw3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3023" data-original-width="1967" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCiDuWikRMfEip3vszQbxjd7WI2g372sV2FQ9ygIa4f5YG0JoLW08_UMsZMbrn1Ux7BGvb3950xvqahYuB1RMXJF6JkRrvno-QRMsXmilk98-DcwnjBIGsX4AZqC8XLK5sNy-N41gmIlaZGF8PgEONPeyydFJYbFWFGtgnT0QCqP0kP1uEAbMvNWWnaA/w416-h640/cw3.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Catwoman manages to elude Cyber-Cat, who shouts that she's not going to stop hunting Catwoman until she has her revenge with the thief's death. Catwoman knows that Cyber-Cat means it, and she won't be able to go back to business as usual until the armored menace is dealt with. . .but in her current state, that's not happening.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As Cyber-Cat leaves the scene, Catwoman carefully follows her. . .discovering her hidden base. But at the moment, she's in no shape to do anything about it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihccw7CKTfkGb_fNWFnGjICTBAstCXzpwoB2OmO0fv_tJWDjC6-dm0m3-gyJet7_dUrw_K8LxfTvW617bktAp_8Z0Vgst6pnseYaX8s8PNRj5qhh4dwE1kLt-mWdaX25SZ0LvkNQ0ssRri00NBP18IezZ-FeneGKo9rsLqPk4AsNiPmEFWvo2MmuzklAI/s3023/cw4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3023" data-original-width="1967" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihccw7CKTfkGb_fNWFnGjICTBAstCXzpwoB2OmO0fv_tJWDjC6-dm0m3-gyJet7_dUrw_K8LxfTvW617bktAp_8Z0Vgst6pnseYaX8s8PNRj5qhh4dwE1kLt-mWdaX25SZ0LvkNQ0ssRri00NBP18IezZ-FeneGKo9rsLqPk4AsNiPmEFWvo2MmuzklAI/w416-h640/cw4.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We cut away from Catwoman and Cybercat for a bit of exposition!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A Syntex scientist is being interrogated by two mysterious Men in Black. We learn that Cyber-Cat is a former Syntex scientist as well, named Christina Chiles. She left Syntex two weeks previously and took an experimental suit of Cortically Amplified Technid armor (C.A.T. Get it? Get it? GET IT!?) with her.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The armor was still in its testing phase and only matched to Chiles' brainwave patterns, so she was the only person who could use it. The scientist being interrogated believes that Chiles is convinced she's still testing the armor and using her vendetta against Catwoman to do so.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUOSnwflDvQP2YJq3TavJO5TLLKvUCI8NeMToj4IpWJC7lV9LEVyT2EkQ7cyAdCGi4eg8wpNzG9Lt_9RADMh5yecKkPTue8ncacSyQdF3zdhOO0qyus_q08Fp5oIz-EEIibJvGb4QRdrFCnD_TQAwDfpBjJfhL1JTIv6YQLjvKMASIxwisL3e19CeAdU/s3023/cw5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3023" data-original-width="1967" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUOSnwflDvQP2YJq3TavJO5TLLKvUCI8NeMToj4IpWJC7lV9LEVyT2EkQ7cyAdCGi4eg8wpNzG9Lt_9RADMh5yecKkPTue8ncacSyQdF3zdhOO0qyus_q08Fp5oIz-EEIibJvGb4QRdrFCnD_TQAwDfpBjJfhL1JTIv6YQLjvKMASIxwisL3e19CeAdU/w416-h640/cw5.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Switching back to Catwoman, she makes her way to the mansion of one of her underworld contacts. . .a wealthy dwarf known as Zee. She informs him that the job was a failure and that she's in some serious trouble that only a mutual acquaintance named Clutterbuck can help her with. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkcQaFZ7lt6Ya5FcvGabC88ZZgTgnniRZIRpdAX-vkwl-myzbCHQEkXhyphenhyphenUb0Ey0ztffWQ_hJ14BoO80qG9TZFE7ZXZVKpJ-JiYsqU8oIdHzpeQ24siHrEeIT1RrOsWg8z4Zx8gDGqn03YAfXdp_SwW0CsxtOAh9H3WYuPoflvA0FZYbnAeMc-N5W61tDk/s3023/cw6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3023" data-original-width="1967" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkcQaFZ7lt6Ya5FcvGabC88ZZgTgnniRZIRpdAX-vkwl-myzbCHQEkXhyphenhyphenUb0Ey0ztffWQ_hJ14BoO80qG9TZFE7ZXZVKpJ-JiYsqU8oIdHzpeQ24siHrEeIT1RrOsWg8z4Zx8gDGqn03YAfXdp_SwW0CsxtOAh9H3WYuPoflvA0FZYbnAeMc-N5W61tDk/w416-h640/cw6.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Clutterbuck is Catwoman's go-to tech expert. She tells him about Cyber-Cat and asks him to put something together to even the fight. Clutterbuck agrees to take on the job, but it will take a couple of days. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Catwoman returns to her apartment to rest, recuperate from her wounds, and lay low as her alter-ego Selina Kyle while she's waiting for Clutterbuck to come through for her.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1wdFC87Rz354o4Vypphl4fZNp0IdRhQx3NPtqiopP4I7fkmtz3eALokepd6-AXrmXib3lA9y856lLbaOZrGx3qHqrC1AGlK1F3k652J-Koq-fRFHLXFX8DlR8oMm9jfnZ5Jp7_sTLMGXzZbxKeuFjc8C3EltyFcyDAorOaoHuIaSItCl96W9zbqimZ0/s3023/cw7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3023" data-original-width="1967" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1wdFC87Rz354o4Vypphl4fZNp0IdRhQx3NPtqiopP4I7fkmtz3eALokepd6-AXrmXib3lA9y856lLbaOZrGx3qHqrC1AGlK1F3k652J-Koq-fRFHLXFX8DlR8oMm9jfnZ5Jp7_sTLMGXzZbxKeuFjc8C3EltyFcyDAorOaoHuIaSItCl96W9zbqimZ0/w416-h640/cw7.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><div><br /></div>While Selina waits for Clutterbuck, she decides to work a bit on her budding relationship with Detective Morland McShane. . .a cop who is obsessed with taking down Catwoman and an unlikely choice of romantic partner. Selina is unsure of whether or not to continue building the relationship. And if she does, will it be to stay close to her most persistent hunter, or to try to make an honest go of it?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONmbKVfwyLflJ9ovjDXQ_xfuXG6UOhxW0_LBor7f1W_4xzWzLwhtUOG6qhZinbCaQhckAczT5E89ZCtilEc4VU1XZDjExXpwCm0gQB0ZXeucqG-O3v0eO-r31ANLZnetATWrpH6nmwAj7ehUFv2m-klrtCa9xxX-0o88qc5dryly7wjaZwlhznd4dHgE/s3023/cw8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3023" data-original-width="1967" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONmbKVfwyLflJ9ovjDXQ_xfuXG6UOhxW0_LBor7f1W_4xzWzLwhtUOG6qhZinbCaQhckAczT5E89ZCtilEc4VU1XZDjExXpwCm0gQB0ZXeucqG-O3v0eO-r31ANLZnetATWrpH6nmwAj7ehUFv2m-klrtCa9xxX-0o88qc5dryly7wjaZwlhznd4dHgE/w416-h640/cw8.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Okay. . .character development over. Back to sexy supercrime action! <div><br /></div><div>But first, I'd just like to point out that, while Jim Balent is one of the better DC 90s artists, he can't draw cats. . .which would seem to be sort of a bad thing in a CATWOMAN comic. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhanNUw9HnBkIAQzQLhY53eqt9ppIJYZQGoMKFSPEk34d1DECozD3J-UDu4sYbtplc1mLzydUoLXlHFjNxsGBATgMm1V1tU_GnZS_7zY1u_KjJl6xlC8tLj9dIUdJYwwt_fAs9__FhRexMgcJo992aY8x2KGkgjEUniX1gfWDQI3bIbuZwl46xQzViDBZM/s756/cw8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="756" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhanNUw9HnBkIAQzQLhY53eqt9ppIJYZQGoMKFSPEk34d1DECozD3J-UDu4sYbtplc1mLzydUoLXlHFjNxsGBATgMm1V1tU_GnZS_7zY1u_KjJl6xlC8tLj9dIUdJYwwt_fAs9__FhRexMgcJo992aY8x2KGkgjEUniX1gfWDQI3bIbuZwl46xQzViDBZM/s320/cw8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">BUT I DIGRESS!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After several pages of out-of-costume character development and setup for conflict in issues to come, Selina returns to Clutterbuck to take a look at what he's come up with to even the odds against Cyber-Cat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's a shiny new high-tech suit of 90s armor, of course! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">BEHOLD!!</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVPTRZseypcEJI6s5zudmzifM1zAnwvGG6r_Qc4w3b3nuUnnr2RT9070QGBIpcbXTERpZa5iTStFsCoOy06CLbGkT6TRHzDO21lei0ipUf3Q7-JeQJVRumD_mh-6PNgf4WkPPGPinNDSuWRhSVwhHkaRxq2stjJxzjL69U7wHecJSC5QWi_u74BTn4lI/s3023/cw9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3023" data-original-width="1967" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVPTRZseypcEJI6s5zudmzifM1zAnwvGG6r_Qc4w3b3nuUnnr2RT9070QGBIpcbXTERpZa5iTStFsCoOy06CLbGkT6TRHzDO21lei0ipUf3Q7-JeQJVRumD_mh-6PNgf4WkPPGPinNDSuWRhSVwhHkaRxq2stjJxzjL69U7wHecJSC5QWi_u74BTn4lI/w416-h640/cw9.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Now THAT'S 90s!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Catwoman isn't so sure about the idea, but Clutterbuck manages to convince her. After all, it was rush job, built in two days on a shoestring budget by a weirdo living in a junkyard. What could possibly go wrong?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So Selina pays Clutterbuck and takes the armor out for some practice. . .including an obligatory "Knightfall Era" reference to Batman's new armor. She figures if it works for him, it will probably work for her.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once she's got the feel for her shiny new 90s makeover, Catwoman decides to forget about her usual stealth and cunning and goes for a full frontal attack on Cyber-Cat's hidden base! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rbfpdoUKiOAFIkE5r5doBfrVLRRzMhRD8VS9aRAI44U5tL39XDyx2xXt8fGmlZmCLJXftNov5aXLbYa1ITxHm4abVQ0XGpMzooFwOIiLlqP5TqLG_K-6sqxemzHPLDUH8BOyniM9D18QzYhjMib2kjR_H50oTswqePnSc4DL_5e6nIoqq6lgH5FxYjU/s3023/cw10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3023" data-original-width="1967" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rbfpdoUKiOAFIkE5r5doBfrVLRRzMhRD8VS9aRAI44U5tL39XDyx2xXt8fGmlZmCLJXftNov5aXLbYa1ITxHm4abVQ0XGpMzooFwOIiLlqP5TqLG_K-6sqxemzHPLDUH8BOyniM9D18QzYhjMib2kjR_H50oTswqePnSc4DL_5e6nIoqq6lgH5FxYjU/w416-h640/cw10.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once inside, Catwoman finds the warehouse empty, but as she investigates, she triggers a trap and is attacked by two remote mini-robotic tanks! Catwoman tries to escape, but eventually finds herself cornered and desperately fighting against the heavily-armed robots. She manages to destroy them, but is confronted by Cyber-Cat. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUm2q2CVDtqX6-oiO7hCMn-2i-qXpMgLUX_NiYCAYG-M5wQQLF_X7PECMDOLYWmC_Oo2mGAB6lPjCL9hIXyB939FfzkXdlK9jPb56GWvRQRtIuMHJaG8ymTEciV-BOlv1GWTS-rzhVatkt8X4EnaWE5zGJTaHsP9rSlPI4IexufwT5uDtege0E_Xx1Vvw/s3023/cw11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3023" data-original-width="1967" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUm2q2CVDtqX6-oiO7hCMn-2i-qXpMgLUX_NiYCAYG-M5wQQLF_X7PECMDOLYWmC_Oo2mGAB6lPjCL9hIXyB939FfzkXdlK9jPb56GWvRQRtIuMHJaG8ymTEciV-BOlv1GWTS-rzhVatkt8X4EnaWE5zGJTaHsP9rSlPI4IexufwT5uDtege0E_Xx1Vvw/w416-h640/cw11.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cyber-Cat is enraged by Catwoman's destruction of her expensive robotic guards. But, at the same time, is happy that instead of having to hunt Catwoman again, she's come to her. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Catwoman tries to talk to Cyber-Cat, but she's not having it. . .the fight is ON! DING-DING-DING!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DJcEwVBsx6UCx65Sp29oHONaxFm9K_CAYH5KMBM3un1fKOSBCDi1C6I5tKwmfp4hhZYEq_pvaK_nMTdRix65zrZyp4tkOxIaNUmLpX2wBBtdGz7QlnTrDXH3eCWjAnzx8NE0bdkT8V9p3XBhxuE6-j6BFKGINvMwrUfhao80H_ljurJcW4CYi_6xIO4/s3023/cw12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3023" data-original-width="1967" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DJcEwVBsx6UCx65Sp29oHONaxFm9K_CAYH5KMBM3un1fKOSBCDi1C6I5tKwmfp4hhZYEq_pvaK_nMTdRix65zrZyp4tkOxIaNUmLpX2wBBtdGz7QlnTrDXH3eCWjAnzx8NE0bdkT8V9p3XBhxuE6-j6BFKGINvMwrUfhao80H_ljurJcW4CYi_6xIO4/w416-h640/cw12.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Over the course of the next seven pages, Catwoman and Cyber-Cat engage in brutal battle. . .trading the advantage back and forth several times as they both use every trick in their armor suits to gain the upper hand.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkX2EsD9BobsYHsjGjjgi1OZ7NvVFDE4nc4aaO_QBRXf3EXWR6lsoljp5poyXEcLurBSE-UG6TF30j7r3bVgzu3IWgyJKBiR6tm_lsGKo05cEYuy6n0sZ6uThpZo3TQeRP5HJUzfUt3Nkbc94OrdbKjShdu33NPnN5OYeF-pbLkRbJAd_OnCwCHPIC7I/s3023/cw13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3023" data-original-width="1967" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkX2EsD9BobsYHsjGjjgi1OZ7NvVFDE4nc4aaO_QBRXf3EXWR6lsoljp5poyXEcLurBSE-UG6TF30j7r3bVgzu3IWgyJKBiR6tm_lsGKo05cEYuy6n0sZ6uThpZo3TQeRP5HJUzfUt3Nkbc94OrdbKjShdu33NPnN5OYeF-pbLkRbJAd_OnCwCHPIC7I/w416-h640/cw13.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The battle rages back and forth until Catwoman finally deals Cyber-Cat a crippling blow. . .a massive explosion that sets Cyber-Cat on fire and causes her systems to eject her burning armor, leaving the woman inside. . .Christina Chiles, exposed to the victorious Catwoman!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi452EYmzcK413xBRgWb87mPV5HpyKHGBLLqZP-bLC_bIjFUjMc4mOLfUnLACmd-BaMXrbdMki7tiUbPF0HqnqZBrc4O6GwMRwUd1TZg0xBvXG4TKTNcmVUCe2YzEd3tcQHGCuFP8QUvLS6XOY2dAiz-me7NG3Ut8XYYq_5HVLWM6CrYi8ebOekdmXNc0A/s3023/cw14.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3023" data-original-width="1967" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi452EYmzcK413xBRgWb87mPV5HpyKHGBLLqZP-bLC_bIjFUjMc4mOLfUnLACmd-BaMXrbdMki7tiUbPF0HqnqZBrc4O6GwMRwUd1TZg0xBvXG4TKTNcmVUCe2YzEd3tcQHGCuFP8QUvLS6XOY2dAiz-me7NG3Ut8XYYq_5HVLWM6CrYi8ebOekdmXNc0A/w416-h640/cw14.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><div><br /></div>With Chiles no longer being Cyber-Cat, but a sobbing and exposed woman denied her revenge, Catwoman tells her to never come after her again or she'll finish the job. She leaves the scene of the fight just as the mysterious men in black arrive to take Chiles into custody.<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQciHmeLT46vtuno-ElYLO6W2_tldYQBVfxrvZTBnLPgKrsjXWY5Ms9lJw00AO1pac_lTN3We9u1FGKdxQG6BNzMAfnfGLWQ20cw982tI_5L49gfS4WvHAL5Mm2AAQjR1E-PTB1DFRDNiCfkmNsCn9YlcpmeHbnE95jBykmlEFzEymIl3y6pSD76VulE/s3023/cw15.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3023" data-original-width="1967" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQciHmeLT46vtuno-ElYLO6W2_tldYQBVfxrvZTBnLPgKrsjXWY5Ms9lJw00AO1pac_lTN3We9u1FGKdxQG6BNzMAfnfGLWQ20cw982tI_5L49gfS4WvHAL5Mm2AAQjR1E-PTB1DFRDNiCfkmNsCn9YlcpmeHbnE95jBykmlEFzEymIl3y6pSD76VulE/w416-h640/cw15.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">EPILOGUE:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Catwoman returns to Clutterbuck, telling him to destroy the armor. It evened the odds in the fight against Cyber-Cat, but it just isn't who Catwoman is. She'd rather face the night on her own terms than try to be something she's not.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigONh2_BctJm680Crbp19hZKyKyK2Akzpq6HMwIBCByVGLTL37yf8ZI73VWqw5sZjfc-bf4LICdv2JgqUIY0bMISH92nIR59QgdAYaoAprGo48gmnD_H5HonDpc-rMBX57bfKFOHl_ixgyrOQ_t-lvgX8xYcnBMckPFtRS12t2P81VYkWznVnJ9CiCF94/s3023/cw16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3023" data-original-width="1967" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigONh2_BctJm680Crbp19hZKyKyK2Akzpq6HMwIBCByVGLTL37yf8ZI73VWqw5sZjfc-bf4LICdv2JgqUIY0bMISH92nIR59QgdAYaoAprGo48gmnD_H5HonDpc-rMBX57bfKFOHl_ixgyrOQ_t-lvgX8xYcnBMckPFtRS12t2P81VYkWznVnJ9CiCF94/w416-h640/cw16.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The End.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>THE REVIEW:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">And there you have it! One of the shortest 90s armor makeovers out there. Just one issue.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Let's break it on down!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've said it before. . .Doug Moench isn't my favorite comic writer. THAT SAID. . .he's a good comic writer and you can always count on him putting his own mark on any character he writes. I'm not much of a Catwoman fan, so I can't speak for his writing on the series in general, but I can definitely see the trademark Doug Moench touch in this issue.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">On the surface, this is just an action-packed Catwoman issue that can be easily read as a stand-alone adventure. Not much to it. But if you look deeper and get into that Doug Moench touch, you can see that this is ACTUALLY a bit of a meta commentary on all the 90s makeovers surrounding it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Moench first makes Catwoman buy into the whole thing. . .after all, it worked for Batman, right? But then has her decline the new look after trying it out for only one issue. It just isn't her, and she can stand on her own without the gimmicks. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This whole story is basically Doug Moench flipping the bird at the prevailing trends of the 90s to make characters darker, grittier, and much more pouchy (or armored) just to try and grab readers by copycatting certain popular art styles (namely Image's art style) instead of writing cool comic book stories. It's like Moench is saying he CAN put Catwoman into a suit of armor and still make it a decent story, but does he really NEED to?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When I realized what I was reading between the lines, this otherwise throwaway story suddenly gave me a big smile! RIGHT in the middle of a huge shakeup of comic books, here was a writer that was giving readers a quiet and understated "No thank you".</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">On the art side of things. . .</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have to admit that I really like the look of Catwoman's armor. I'm wondering if Moench and Balent didn't decide to purposely create something really cool-looking that fans might have actually been on board with, just to help drive home the point of Catwoman rejecting it in favor of just being herself. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Despite not being able to draw cats very well, Jim Balent really gives the art in this issue a great flow, with interesting panels and "camera" angles that give the action scenes a very nice sense of motion across the page. Yeah, it's about as 90s as 90s art can get outside of an Image comic, but it's the GOOD kind of 90s art.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> There are a few pages here and there that really shine and showcase Balent's talent. . .the first splash page and the last page (both scanned above) come directly to mind as examples. I've never been much of a Catwoman fan, but I wouldn't mind getting my eyes on some more of Jim Balent's art. I think I'll keep my eye out for some more Catwoman issues in the bargain bins.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">CONCLUSION</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is it. Catwoman's 90s makeover lasted exactly ONE issue and we wouldn't get another taste of Catwoman in armor again. . .unless you count DC's science fiction themed "1,000,000" series of annual issues from 1998, where we got a far future version of Catwoman sporting some shiny 90s armor.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycfc2ysHkXMYILy5qu9HcktCgEoa7bJA0lntVDGpoKf08921MQMkk0-V7UVghrIinXPcBmP13efCw9gq6zLDnbbeknIAM2kfBh2FbNmOgX-XQQLuoi5wut8EkBVBxgQ4K_3jcWK-GUwpioobZ-5N6CwYUVwQXJxJ6GzqB0sX23c_wPwtIxQqfu2ivTvk/s3056/cwmillion.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3056" data-original-width="1988" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycfc2ysHkXMYILy5qu9HcktCgEoa7bJA0lntVDGpoKf08921MQMkk0-V7UVghrIinXPcBmP13efCw9gq6zLDnbbeknIAM2kfBh2FbNmOgX-XQQLuoi5wut8EkBVBxgQ4K_3jcWK-GUwpioobZ-5N6CwYUVwQXJxJ6GzqB0sX23c_wPwtIxQqfu2ivTvk/w416-h640/cwmillion.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>But this time, with a GUN!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But other than that? DC let Catwoman stay in spandex. How much Doug Moench's gentle prod of a story in this issue had to do with that, I don't know. I like to think that it had something to do with it, and thinking about one writer standing up to the prevailing trends of 90s comics trying to chase Image's success makes me a bit happy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For the underlying story alone, I'll heartily recommend this issue for those who are interested in what was going on in comics during the 90s. It seems like there was a little bit of creative pushback. I've seen it in some other comics as well, but this one has a certain understated touch on the subject that makes it stand out a little bit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But even the story between the lines aside, this is a pretty good issue. It has a solid, straightforward, action-packed story that doesn't lean too heavily on continuity (aside from a few pages of out of costume character development), so it can be enjoyed on its own. The story is backed up with some pretty good (and even great in a couple of spots) 90s-style art. . .but the good kind of 90s art.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All in all, not a bad issue. I'm not sure if it's been collected or not, but this issue can be found pretty easily in the bargain bins. I come across it fairly often, so if you like your 90s comics, keep an eye out for this one and give it a read.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Up Next. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How about a retro review?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Let's head back to the swingin' 60s for a Longbox Junk look at a science fiction superhero made for the atomic age. . .I'm talkin' about DOCTOR SOLAR, MAN OF THE ATOM!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Be there or be square.</div></div></div>Atomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07048497340899834399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025939866108320406.post-73617532096479606482024-02-20T00:45:00.000-08:002024-02-20T00:47:16.798-08:00Longbox Junk - Black Diamond #1Welcome to Longbox Junk, the place to find all the comic book reviews you never asked for!<div><br /></div><div>I have a strange love for comic book tie-ins to stuff. Movies, T.V. shows, video games, toys, what have you. I just really like it when a comic book is able to move beyond what's already there.</div><div><br /></div><div>I think maybe of all the comic tie-ins, the most successful in MY estimation is probably Star Wars. Back in the day when all we had were a couple of movies, the Star Wars comics definitely scratched that "I want more!" itch. And truthfully, they still do.</div><div><br /></div><div>But we ain't talking about Star Wars!</div><div><br /></div><div>The comic at hand is a tie-in to an 80s action movie called Black Diamond. A sort of female James Bond movie, if you will. A globe-trotting adventurer pulling off crazy spy missions under the cover of being an internationally-famous model. Starring one of the most successful of the 80s "B-Movie Queens", Sybil Danning. Sounds decent, right?</div><div><br /></div><div>But the movie never got made. There's just this short comic tie-in series (5 issues, but I've only ever seen this one) to even indicate that it ever WAS going to be made. There's literally no information on the internet about Black Diamond beyond the dry creator and publication details for this comic.</div><div><br /></div><div>So there's no Black Diamond movie. But we DO have this comic. Let's check it out!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">BLACK DIAMOND #1</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">AC/Americomics (1983)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_-t8ZvbBJY-6s6c4UjyuEfsF4HILkih6sqCpTmxroZfBTgjfnPIrxncv1cAD6TLVZq4FVgdFw7v_Gh8gW3OIJWVcE3HHwEbXlC1VF2oZe4XfI5SqXK8kY-iFjqhUcdmxUPflXSGOxKwzUDZCYVGsOi9dy99Atmk3LKfCXy7-cf8qmqvjKswGbYaHey0/s606/blackdiamondcover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_-t8ZvbBJY-6s6c4UjyuEfsF4HILkih6sqCpTmxroZfBTgjfnPIrxncv1cAD6TLVZq4FVgdFw7v_Gh8gW3OIJWVcE3HHwEbXlC1VF2oZe4XfI5SqXK8kY-iFjqhUcdmxUPflXSGOxKwzUDZCYVGsOi9dy99Atmk3LKfCXy7-cf8qmqvjKswGbYaHey0/w422-h640/blackdiamondcover.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>COVER: Bill Black</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE COVER:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I like it! The bold red background really grabs the eye and sets off both the giant title at the top and the nicely-done portrait of Black Diamond in the middle. Yeah, the spike heels ARE a bit ridiculous, but the rest of this cover is really engaging. definitely a very nice cover. It makes me want to get inside and see what's going on, so let's do that!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE STORIES:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For an 80s comic, this issue is pretty packed. Of course, two bucks back in '83 WAS a pretty stiff price, but for your two dollars you get two full stories (Really parts 1 and 2 of a continuing story), a shorter five page comic story, and several one and two page features introducing characters and talking about the upcoming movie that never got made. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All that AND a sexy promotional photo poster of Sybil Danning as Black Diamond! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UWvcej4RPepjd4vjZFoeSbURvY-BKV1V9bhdNtJIXpMxViOqf892ueSzTRzxsgc-6zKgZQNUq25t7xVMm5yGYlcSf20JfUeaUIKoEwzZ5Hg59BrnDIvHiBuH6XMhKZrVeayh6MNjrrcsPuwunm3mtpkeM0QGO-uDi2n1VyVm2nq0nLj-XZS0nTGxTT0/s1541/boobtastic.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1541" data-original-width="1009" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UWvcej4RPepjd4vjZFoeSbURvY-BKV1V9bhdNtJIXpMxViOqf892ueSzTRzxsgc-6zKgZQNUq25t7xVMm5yGYlcSf20JfUeaUIKoEwzZ5Hg59BrnDIvHiBuH6XMhKZrVeayh6MNjrrcsPuwunm3mtpkeM0QGO-uDi2n1VyVm2nq0nLj-XZS0nTGxTT0/w420-h640/boobtastic.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Bewb-Tastic!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Like I said, this thing is PACKED for an 80s comic! Let's check it all out. . .</div><div><br /></div><b><span style="font-size: large;">THE DARKFIRE AFFAIR: GAUNTLET</span></b><div><br /></div><div><b>SCRIPT: Bill Black</b></div><div><b>PENCILS: Bill Black</b></div><div><b>INKS: Bill Black</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>THE STORY:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Before we get into the story proper, we get a one page black and white introduction to Black Diamond, courtesy of the one and only Paul Gulacy (who apparently also did the rest of the covers of the series beyond this first issue).</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWmEeMxxkKhyphenhyphenxugcLua4iDY4VqffzB1QpQcp_FOkZzAbGoqP5iS2pDUY1T55rR104Euvm9SeYWTgXYcK7cGxpHM_yp73gWwzB-9JaWVBhqUATukzNBa8UlkeGm5LuXk_VxWwC_Lid7OMtxAlLj63ZMaZnrFjgODV1vRM9HGGbQmNQXUF3sRHDE9w5N-w/s1500/bdintro.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1009" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWmEeMxxkKhyphenhyphenxugcLua4iDY4VqffzB1QpQcp_FOkZzAbGoqP5iS2pDUY1T55rR104Euvm9SeYWTgXYcK7cGxpHM_yp73gWwzB-9JaWVBhqUATukzNBa8UlkeGm5LuXk_VxWwC_Lid7OMtxAlLj63ZMaZnrFjgODV1vRM9HGGbQmNQXUF3sRHDE9w5N-w/w430-h640/bdintro.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We start off with a flashback to a year previous to the current story. Black Diamond has infiltrated the security of a Quansa (a worldwide criminal organization) in order to obtain a file of Quansa moles working as double agents in her own agency, Infocom Three.</div><div><br /></div><div>After making her escape with the file, she discovers to her horror that her lover, Jack Burton, is one of the double agents! She knows that she'll have to be the one to take him down.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoesISfOxm6OuEsymfK9VAyvCMh2nRf7od-EqSU20ukCxod3eHN2x-8O22uKYQleNoDyciAto1gh6NzbSaifM2FxmkbUUDH5xIWkEgZ8rftmj8Wg0wVlDrGUrA9ygmXGXGizVVDuhIAMVpLPpFy5yL6qtvByJiYjppPzmWp4CPJsAVGT_xjTKw9_uiNBI/s1479/bd1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1479" data-original-width="978" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoesISfOxm6OuEsymfK9VAyvCMh2nRf7od-EqSU20ukCxod3eHN2x-8O22uKYQleNoDyciAto1gh6NzbSaifM2FxmkbUUDH5xIWkEgZ8rftmj8Wg0wVlDrGUrA9ygmXGXGizVVDuhIAMVpLPpFy5yL6qtvByJiYjppPzmWp4CPJsAVGT_xjTKw9_uiNBI/w424-h640/bd1.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We move forward to the present day. Black Diamond is given a new assignment from her Infocom Three superior. She's to go to New York City and investigate the presence of an elite group of female Quansa mercenaries called the Valkyrie Unit. . .led by a ruthless woman named Vanessa Cord, AKA Darkfire. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Their being in New York signals that Quansa is up to something big, and Black Diamond needs to be there to take it down!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpU3_S4umnWEofYEYYTZXdErstyn5sDrWNV8g1PeQXlKfXLu6Dyt52O0uI1PuEfhHNqOD_uaqtDxltH5rVeuibsZXNT-VAtv6kVhDnu7BuDIgAulchAIUQkp6JF2L8kYiLiBXL4u-KOKQ2VvVZLhIMqDRN2F86PbZXf-_9RwKIA2YkP6317faxjZUHVs/s1432/bd2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1432" data-original-width="994" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpU3_S4umnWEofYEYYTZXdErstyn5sDrWNV8g1PeQXlKfXLu6Dyt52O0uI1PuEfhHNqOD_uaqtDxltH5rVeuibsZXNT-VAtv6kVhDnu7BuDIgAulchAIUQkp6JF2L8kYiLiBXL4u-KOKQ2VvVZLhIMqDRN2F86PbZXf-_9RwKIA2YkP6317faxjZUHVs/w444-h640/bd2.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Before Black Diamond even gets out of her apartment and on her way to the airport, she's attacked by one of Darkfire's mercenaries. Black Diamond realizes that somehow, Darkfires knows she's on the job, so there must still be moles in Infocom Three.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At the airport, Black Diamond is attacked by three more Valkyrie Unit mercenaries. As she fights them through the airport, Black Diamond wonders just what could be big enough for Darkfire and Quansa to risk such a public display.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6i2wG-kKx3-88QR7mcSDXTJ_WCIIyfJvgscsF_t4mZ_Wdd-Qx6raU-UKCPabFRdN6Npj9WoJ58bx9tKOloXdFF1DejtnvQ93PTOklgoWKmBtbC3vPZhfU0z7hlj6XwCSFxTbKpHJ6ccfmvBX_DVRXjZJiIibL8MtAMq1jjosbh3Wob7EZ3iB4qJipWk/s1422/bd3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1422" data-original-width="973" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6i2wG-kKx3-88QR7mcSDXTJ_WCIIyfJvgscsF_t4mZ_Wdd-Qx6raU-UKCPabFRdN6Npj9WoJ58bx9tKOloXdFF1DejtnvQ93PTOklgoWKmBtbC3vPZhfU0z7hlj6XwCSFxTbKpHJ6ccfmvBX_DVRXjZJiIibL8MtAMq1jjosbh3Wob7EZ3iB4qJipWk/w438-h640/bd3.jpg" width="438" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After beating the three Valkyrie mercenaries, Black Diamond is forced to evade the authorities by way of an impromptu disguise in order to board her plane to New York.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88Rf9oOnF_UA3z9AoCLAozi2rOqBSowhmfI7zFoRxiHY88C3EyIsTC1x5vOEJkDZcjU9K4wow2wL0LYJiG1wz7dCTM6bkZvR1Ws3kBFGcs99DiVuF0_tk-dsTqaUzsfzYelreyeAKXplwODuPvR1bkqAkLuUcxm01IGzflxlrLmlHAUdTTVsp9mkJRRs/s1422/bd4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1422" data-original-width="973" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88Rf9oOnF_UA3z9AoCLAozi2rOqBSowhmfI7zFoRxiHY88C3EyIsTC1x5vOEJkDZcjU9K4wow2wL0LYJiG1wz7dCTM6bkZvR1Ws3kBFGcs99DiVuF0_tk-dsTqaUzsfzYelreyeAKXplwODuPvR1bkqAkLuUcxm01IGzflxlrLmlHAUdTTVsp9mkJRRs/w438-h640/bd4.jpg" width="438" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">To be continued. . .</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><b>THE REVIEW:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Okay. . .not bad. Not great. Not anywhere close to great, but not bad. The story has a feel to it that reminds me of some of the Silver Age spy/action comics I've read. Like something Dell or Gold Key would have put out. Or maybe like DC's I-Spy. The dialogue is pretty cheesy and quippy, but there's a certain charm to it, a certain throwback quality that I can't really fault too much.</div><div><br /></div><div>The art also has a Silver Age throwback look to it. There's no real standout moments, but there's no really bad spots either. It helps tell the story, but doesn't try to do anything beyond that. . .which also reminds me a lot of a Silver Age non-superhero comic books I've read. </div><div><br /></div><div>All in all, it's a decent, but forgettable story that really throws off some Silver Age comic vibes.</div><div><br /></div><div>NEXT!</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">BLACK DIAMOND </span></b></div><div><b>(Two page text feature with photographs)</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>SCRIPT: Bill Black</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>What we have here is a bit of background on Sybil Danning and some of her upcoming roles, including pretty much all the information to be found on the Black Diamond movie. It also tells how the comic book tie-in came into existence. It's pretty interesting, and also pretty cool that they included something like this. </div><div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_DXFqw5Jjab4tx6UhHjWzlu2UHc0hke2VoiFNhaxYAIT8Yy4KAX4xBR2RDSSKmqpAqH8Zc1TvBL0WTYyCGV2GJB3V6E_34NN__mQpflhNC-lbgd7nTo7mL01a_mjmItxN4-O5cs6hXJKq42TyjvDc4CvxhbLSr3fqoaT31abFOYFFXT2T2COkwxeM-I/s1453/bdintro2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1453" data-original-width="983" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_DXFqw5Jjab4tx6UhHjWzlu2UHc0hke2VoiFNhaxYAIT8Yy4KAX4xBR2RDSSKmqpAqH8Zc1TvBL0WTYyCGV2GJB3V6E_34NN__mQpflhNC-lbgd7nTo7mL01a_mjmItxN4-O5cs6hXJKq42TyjvDc4CvxhbLSr3fqoaT31abFOYFFXT2T2COkwxeM-I/w432-h640/bdintro2.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2szyCr-h79ePHbereL3bPZtLDNrJCZ3xCy7A2fHi5eCet6IWoTQsgOOeGo6HC14WG1JlVuxvlmP6XLo8qxecf2TUHefc9NcaUyrqUWsP3xBEOhpmXnJY0nkr6CGGpST2BWGJpB0Nvz40eGSNlhL2Bie_JuS-XIcvMd7_CW3po_PorAS7UFf0NZjLUao8/s1432/bdintro3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1432" data-original-width="989" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2szyCr-h79ePHbereL3bPZtLDNrJCZ3xCy7A2fHi5eCet6IWoTQsgOOeGo6HC14WG1JlVuxvlmP6XLo8qxecf2TUHefc9NcaUyrqUWsP3xBEOhpmXnJY0nkr6CGGpST2BWGJpB0Nvz40eGSNlhL2Bie_JuS-XIcvMd7_CW3po_PorAS7UFf0NZjLUao8/w442-h640/bdintro3.jpg" width="442" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">NEXT!</div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">THE DARKFIRE AFFAIR: MINDTRAP!</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>SCRIPT: Bill Black</b></div><div><b>PENCILS: Mark Beachum & Bill Black</b></div><div><b>INKS: Bill Black</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>THE STORY:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Continuing from the first part of the story (above), we join Black Diamond on the flight to New York, where she's asleep and dreaming of the past. After discovering that her lover and fellow agent Jack Burton is a double agent, Black Diamond is assigned to take him down.</div><div><br /></div><div>After confronting him with the truth, Black Diamond shoots Burton with a knockout dart. Instead of killing him, she plants criminal evidence on him and leaves him for the authorities.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokk-HL9QLW-0TF34GwZu940v9_GWct1_RzpWP0ZurRI9ROqK1RpWIsZGwfGs3gqoT_qpSHbhcR3W1ssFRVBOkFfToUMisto-zjffli8plV272S20r9Hdrl5v6Z3VOtDu2NVQfnHhuIo1QJce3R0dRoVV65xOJSvZsqMxkjjIVQHScGvk151xYmPxVJy4/s1429/bda.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1429" data-original-width="988" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokk-HL9QLW-0TF34GwZu940v9_GWct1_RzpWP0ZurRI9ROqK1RpWIsZGwfGs3gqoT_qpSHbhcR3W1ssFRVBOkFfToUMisto-zjffli8plV272S20r9Hdrl5v6Z3VOtDu2NVQfnHhuIo1QJce3R0dRoVV65xOJSvZsqMxkjjIVQHScGvk151xYmPxVJy4/w442-h640/bda.jpg" width="442" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Arriving in New York, Black Diamond goes to the secret headquarters of Infocom Three for a meeting with its head, General Van Pelt. At the meeting, Van Pelt reveals that Darkfire (from part one, above) is involved with a Quansa plot to steal an experimental mind control device.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Their strongest lead indicates that the device was tested on another Infocom Three agent at a New York warehouse. Black Diamond immediately leaves to investigate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVISsxbmVonoSrjK1qQy7QgRJ-H3IlTggGiJTV8IPsS2l1293JTFRv-m4B_nNIuhyphenhyphenJDDOLkYwL5TKR3GQ75h-m5h197I9tETuujh-t-Tab-xGaTunt1Nwnjbhq3C4hVyQBEoBuTXRMmZtVSJ0HgoZUFWsUknA70dtsfowJKL18xWYCvv1XS0ZQCHeD5xc/s1448/bdb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="978" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVISsxbmVonoSrjK1qQy7QgRJ-H3IlTggGiJTV8IPsS2l1293JTFRv-m4B_nNIuhyphenhyphenJDDOLkYwL5TKR3GQ75h-m5h197I9tETuujh-t-Tab-xGaTunt1Nwnjbhq3C4hVyQBEoBuTXRMmZtVSJ0HgoZUFWsUknA70dtsfowJKL18xWYCvv1XS0ZQCHeD5xc/w432-h640/bdb.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At the warehouse, a group of Darkfire's mercenaries wait to spring a trap on Black Diamond, but she gets the drop on them. After fighting her way through the mercenaries, she confronts the last one and demands answers. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The mercenary kills herself as Black Diamond watches in shock. A nearby video screen comes on and Darkfire informs Black Diamond that she's just witnessed the power of the mind control device, and that Darkfire plans on using it on Black Diamond, so that the secret agent will be the instrument of destruction for Infocom Three!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiQFrrwflOuJkxwOB15QKz4j422JoWO73lOL3BEh5-nlPY-MFGYOyfWpYDQk2vrVRP5mbBleRZya9iXCsZz9zwA68p731sNQTrSo5S4Naw0DuXy-JaWT-SBigSw-O84axfm4ZcRwrnnmBerhyRbdMbyYkjrgfJpgYLfb7XZxuN1UUovZnWRhfJdNILwk/s1443/bdc.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1443" data-original-width="1004" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiQFrrwflOuJkxwOB15QKz4j422JoWO73lOL3BEh5-nlPY-MFGYOyfWpYDQk2vrVRP5mbBleRZya9iXCsZz9zwA68p731sNQTrSo5S4Naw0DuXy-JaWT-SBigSw-O84axfm4ZcRwrnnmBerhyRbdMbyYkjrgfJpgYLfb7XZxuN1UUovZnWRhfJdNILwk/w446-h640/bdc.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Darkfire triggers explosives, demolishing the warehouse as Black Diamond narrowly makes her escape. Outside of the burning building, Black Diamond wonders why Darkfire seems to have a personal vendetta against her. All she really knows is that the Quansa mercenary needs to be stopped at any cost!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhR80CBLePJaWqNved1zh4HnDFUACAWJodKlY4-Nz2o6Bsj7VyP7nQB6I2z9-QwSiEVnxDPmsz4_C6pOiHobnR4pJuorCPgnOJQXMTjt-1H-eEZ-mLTE0BcrSftXbFDCp1g50ZMVXnOw2A2GEbWh31vOW8wUtKHCD-dW783dTl_ECo0NHM7LlnwwT3F4/s1422/bdd.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1422" data-original-width="968" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhR80CBLePJaWqNved1zh4HnDFUACAWJodKlY4-Nz2o6Bsj7VyP7nQB6I2z9-QwSiEVnxDPmsz4_C6pOiHobnR4pJuorCPgnOJQXMTjt-1H-eEZ-mLTE0BcrSftXbFDCp1g50ZMVXnOw2A2GEbWh31vOW8wUtKHCD-dW783dTl_ECo0NHM7LlnwwT3F4/w436-h640/bdd.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Coming next. . .Black Diamond in SPAAAAAAAAACE!</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>THE REVIEW:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Once again, definite Silver Age comic vibes from both the story and art. For what it is, it's not bad. Unfortunately, it's not really that good, either. It's a pretty forgettable story that doesn't really grab me and make me want to see what's next, even WITH the promise of our heroine going into space in the next issue. And when a comic involving a hot blonde having spy adventures in orbit doesn't really interest me, that's a definite first issue failure.</div><div><br /></div><div>Let's see what else this issue has to offer. . .</div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">INTRODUCING COLT THE WEAPONS MISTRESS</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>SCRIPT: Don Secrease</b></div><div><b>PENCILS: Don Secrease</b></div><div><b>INKS: Bill Black</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>It's a one page introduction for the first appearance of a character that was a lot more popular for AC Comics than Black Diamond seems to have been. You can see the whole thing below, but basically, Colt is the daughter of a military arms expert who married a government agent and worked together as a husband and wife spy team until her husband was killed. Now Colt is a private agent looking for revenge.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdvYe_esnGZhZLfdKe_4a3PvWwjBrOZEkkOUG456AR1PcpY1Ch2QXh0QCiIjowp3LCPuZH1BU22e958ogR6Y-VYy5c7Ks_4bz9RpedoAYO9m_rAL_CBk2wRmGYabEO9HBfmLIrC6gvqQGdQwH0L5akKfyl3n00_qLGd775EfzDukeJ4xsFMluec9JC48/s1437/coltintro.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1437" data-original-width="963" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdvYe_esnGZhZLfdKe_4a3PvWwjBrOZEkkOUG456AR1PcpY1Ch2QXh0QCiIjowp3LCPuZH1BU22e958ogR6Y-VYy5c7Ks_4bz9RpedoAYO9m_rAL_CBk2wRmGYabEO9HBfmLIrC6gvqQGdQwH0L5akKfyl3n00_qLGd775EfzDukeJ4xsFMluec9JC48/w428-h640/coltintro.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hmmmm. . .not much to say about this. The art is nice, but her special weapon, the "Clipper" seems to be a bit derivative of Judge Dredd's gun, the "Lawgiver". And when I say derivative, I mean it's pretty much exactly the same.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">NEXT!</div></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">SQUEEZE PLAY</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>SCRIPT: Don Secrease</b></div><div><b>PENCILS: Don Secrease</b></div><div><b>INKS: Rick Burchett</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>THE STORY:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>We begin in a meeting room at a government installation, where a group of high-ranking U.S. military officers are getting a presentation on a new experimental submachine gun. A presentation being given by the ridiculously-costumed Colt. Nobody says anything about the masked woman giving the presentation, for some reason. Just another day of government work, I guess.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxWR1kD1KiDeHM4wQkpc2siGbJVBmw4B2GWY2hBedMr6EW_lbF5Y2reHe8MrO0uL_463EEvD9jxTCPsetyYitwT4cWVNDNsGpRRd6DRxM9mV-DO1H5_TwHz7y6mq14bZX2TTX1vydXelMA9rUfKm2dn-URt1rZSGyaPT6GH6rH3aVEynliUZVJ2g74DA/s1468/bde.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1468" data-original-width="1004" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxWR1kD1KiDeHM4wQkpc2siGbJVBmw4B2GWY2hBedMr6EW_lbF5Y2reHe8MrO0uL_463EEvD9jxTCPsetyYitwT4cWVNDNsGpRRd6DRxM9mV-DO1H5_TwHz7y6mq14bZX2TTX1vydXelMA9rUfKm2dn-URt1rZSGyaPT6GH6rH3aVEynliUZVJ2g74DA/w438-h640/bde.jpg" width="438" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When the class is returning from a break, a bit of excitement ensues when one of the government agents is found, shot and dying! Well, at least they don't have to go back to school now. Colt immediately takes charge of the situation and declares that she'll get to the bottom of this mystery!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A quick search of the building leads her to the men's room, where she finds a used Co2 cartridge. She returns later that night, laying in wait for the culprit to return to the scene of the crime. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGnEa1MtxD5Xf7A0dqP-CCjpy9hoe9HnoZ7_0Wix2Rb8ncVCveclPJaVHelsciXL2Bt5sRP98oDVA5sPY-lZv2mqFPZAYFVnN_De6sxO4VxYn5LC5RYD9jZye2V_H7XyFDEVhVPRIBCy09ZowSadtYK4QkWxcimtu-tNDC48xSG3oIYurxEq_w0n-bS0/s1444/bdf.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1444" data-original-width="983" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGnEa1MtxD5Xf7A0dqP-CCjpy9hoe9HnoZ7_0Wix2Rb8ncVCveclPJaVHelsciXL2Bt5sRP98oDVA5sPY-lZv2mqFPZAYFVnN_De6sxO4VxYn5LC5RYD9jZye2V_H7XyFDEVhVPRIBCy09ZowSadtYK4QkWxcimtu-tNDC48xSG3oIYurxEq_w0n-bS0/w436-h640/bdf.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's one of the government officers that were at Colt's presentation. . .an agent Vawter. He's trying to steal the prototype SMG! As Vawter tries to make his escape, Colt manages to take him down.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYFcKjcJWh9hPu_IK-E8Enrg6GAK_0CVY65HN32xgOaZyEZ4vL8I3JxSvqfEdpAXrxEiOQM4wdFz7_cct4lGtyySH-1enZMhF6oAIcRgIltMR75175DP2X1lEsPNZDtglJB20vRuWs1Qovkz17_9gdm_S9NCN_Yfw9qY7f1bSCYPL5tCBEhTi72d6p0M/s1463/bdg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1463" data-original-width="968" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYFcKjcJWh9hPu_IK-E8Enrg6GAK_0CVY65HN32xgOaZyEZ4vL8I3JxSvqfEdpAXrxEiOQM4wdFz7_cct4lGtyySH-1enZMhF6oAIcRgIltMR75175DP2X1lEsPNZDtglJB20vRuWs1Qovkz17_9gdm_S9NCN_Yfw9qY7f1bSCYPL5tCBEhTi72d6p0M/w424-h640/bdg.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Security guards rush in to take Vawter into custody. General Wyndon asks Colt how she knew who the double agent was. She tells him that from her examination of the dead agent, she knew the shooter was left handed. Vawter was the only left handed person at the presentation. Case closed!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbaiUaV8NpqeEI-nNGZkxKywKyN9JxfSFIdpcB2-f6V1g27otcznBkmTvHJm7EmS4vcWTLFuUdQvwtjmPeztK4XtQ4xb4bqQptHceAePE2viHyPHhmG62631NPF6NRKEBwXqLE63X_tmpeSVQFH_TPPEnNZijco55EBNIXl65P5c1FX7vr_I81HxFeGg/s1479/bdh.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1479" data-original-width="1009" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbaiUaV8NpqeEI-nNGZkxKywKyN9JxfSFIdpcB2-f6V1g27otcznBkmTvHJm7EmS4vcWTLFuUdQvwtjmPeztK4XtQ4xb4bqQptHceAePE2viHyPHhmG62631NPF6NRKEBwXqLE63X_tmpeSVQFH_TPPEnNZijco55EBNIXl65P5c1FX7vr_I81HxFeGg/w436-h640/bdh.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The End.<div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>THE REVIEW:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Like the Black Diamond story, I get a heavy Silver Age vibe when reading this story. It's completely ridiculous, but played completely straight at the same time. It's utterly forgettable, but sort of fun when you're reading it. Just like so many Silver Age comics I've read.</div><div><br /></div><div>The art is actually quite a bit nicer than the Black Diamond art. The artist here at least tries a little harder to do something besides just tell the story. Maybe that's why Colt eventually became a pretty popular character for AC (with a decent role in their only really popular comic, FemForce). </div><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately, besides some decent art and a bit of goofy Silver Age-style fun, there's really not much more to it.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">CONCLUSION</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is one of those weird comics where I can't really decide if I like it or not. That may seem a little strange, but it happens from time to time. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">On the one hand, it's a pretty fun read. It has a goofy Silver Age comic feel to it. The art is decent. It's an interesting thing to have a comic tie-in to a movie that never got made. I like strange little artifacts like this. So I liked it, right?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But on the other hand, it's completely forgettable. The story is weak and doesn't make me want to pick up another issue. It's overall just sort of ridiculous and weird in equal measure. So I didn't like it, right?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">See what I mean?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I GUESS if I have to pick a side of the fence, I'd say I liked it. But I didn't like it enough to recommend it as something to keep an eye out for. I like having strange comic artifacts like this in my collection. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I would only recommend it if you're also the kind of collector who likes having weird little things like this hanging out in your collection. Other than that, there's not much here you'll be missing if you skip this one.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Up Next. . .</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">HEY! Remember when Catwoman got an unfortunate 90s makeover, complete with a brand new suit of shiny armor? Longbox Junk remembers! Catwoman #50!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Be there or be square.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Atomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07048497340899834399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025939866108320406.post-91430010408328881942024-01-18T00:57:00.000-08:002024-01-18T01:10:27.070-08:00Longbox Junk - Arak, Son of Thunder #1Welcome to Longbox Junk, where the comics are cheap and the reviews are FREE!<div><br /></div><div>Let's return for a bit to a little something I was getting into last year. . .comics that you are pretty much guaranteed to find in just about ANY bargain bin you may find yourself digging through. The bread and butter of cheap comics. . .the Longbox Junk of Longbox Junk.</div><div><br /></div><div>At hand today is the first issue of a series that, if you DON'T spot at least one issue of the run in the bargain bin, somebody already bought it. As far as I can tell, it's a REQUIRMENT that any bargain bin has to contain at least ONE of these comics.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm talkin' about ARAK, SON OF THUNDER!</div><div><br /></div><div>That's right. . .DC's very own version of Conan, even written by the man many consider to be THE Conan writer, the legendary Roy Thomas. But is that ALL Arak is? An 80s Conan knockoff? Is it any good? Why are so many of these comics in the bargain bins? I have questions. Let's get some answers!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">ARAK, SON OF THUNDER #1</span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">DC (1981)</span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvB97tkpx6qDWMu7pe-eUkOQemjMkRfu7hLTPUIojggB65PUkoN9LWW7dIscpeCrSlc-ZRxpVuFHbqI5BpU5krAPYeBtwthZOjokG99ASymbja2WXkx7VeYKYKus2_j_MRv8U3PRWZ50srJlArxDNv5pfWKFfbMN8l0ivTHYtQFDSv3gKa0Apy8NvTLE/s607/arakcover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvB97tkpx6qDWMu7pe-eUkOQemjMkRfu7hLTPUIojggB65PUkoN9LWW7dIscpeCrSlc-ZRxpVuFHbqI5BpU5krAPYeBtwthZOjokG99ASymbja2WXkx7VeYKYKus2_j_MRv8U3PRWZ50srJlArxDNv5pfWKFfbMN8l0ivTHYtQFDSv3gKa0Apy8NvTLE/w422-h640/arakcover.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>COVER: <span style="font-family: inherit;">Ernie </span>Colón</b></div><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Sword and the Serpent!</span></b><br /><br /><br /><b>SCRIPT: Roy Thomas<br />PENCILS: Ernie Colón<br />INKS: Tony DeZuniga</b><br /><br /><br /><b>THE COVER:</b><br /><br />I absolutely LOVE the gigantic ARAK title on ALL the covers in this series! But other than that, this cover is a bit "meh". The central figure of Arak is done nicely, but if you look in the background, especially over on the right, the figures are sketchy, giving the cover a sort of unfinished look. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm not sure that this cover would have caught my eye on the comic rack. A bit of a disappointment because Colón's work inside is really very nice. Let's get to the story!<br /><br /><br /><b>THE STORY:</b><br /><br />We begin our tale aboard a Viking ship. . .far to the West of anyplace that's been explored by Norsemen before. Driven before the waves during a fierce storm, the hard-bitten crew of reavers has barely survived the night.<br /><br />As they survey their situation, a small boat is spotted adrift. Aboard it is a young boy with strange, reddish skin. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMeMiS7GS3-gzuEK-1KQnUD3ipuV42766ZOi5OJSN9MggZ-mXvLeAQVh7BWijKVMY0hD_wxDKz1ZC5iD-6SH5xm23q2BGz67P3zXtzawptMSvftk25sYMUNnMdxPINdZhpzOAtrZYT73LSvDxOJ8GBhvEVQEMpuUd204ECG55Fo4cPZ7f2nsDgKF9Etk/s1600/araka.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1111" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMeMiS7GS3-gzuEK-1KQnUD3ipuV42766ZOi5OJSN9MggZ-mXvLeAQVh7BWijKVMY0hD_wxDKz1ZC5iD-6SH5xm23q2BGz67P3zXtzawptMSvftk25sYMUNnMdxPINdZhpzOAtrZYT73LSvDxOJ8GBhvEVQEMpuUd204ECG55Fo4cPZ7f2nsDgKF9Etk/w444-h640/araka.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Vikings rescue the boy, but as they try to revive him, he attacks the leader of the band, Sigvald. To keep Sigvald from killing the boy, a Frankish raider named Hermold claims the boy as his slave. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the weeks that follow, Hermold begins training the strange boy in swordplay, so that he may join the rest of the band in their violent life of raiding. He also gives the boy a name. . .Erik, but the child pronounces it Arak, and that's what the crew comes to know him as.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Arak proves himself to be a natural fighter with sword and bow and ax. The seasons begin to pass as he becomes one of the raider band.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICZLclPNo-rSLA9vMU4DokR4y01FWDDN3rxTpi6xDhIFNVk-BFUY6ZmxXoHm4oJ8XFtY0AW2z419e9GCDWjT1ppOyH1PLgsTUgBSTqv9_22FqP2agSewmwMKl87PWVnPlEhxiY3uUufDJaApZNdDAvRD63Td-Rlb3OudKO5G17gi3XdEpizZvqE9ZG0M/s1600/arakb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1110" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICZLclPNo-rSLA9vMU4DokR4y01FWDDN3rxTpi6xDhIFNVk-BFUY6ZmxXoHm4oJ8XFtY0AW2z419e9GCDWjT1ppOyH1PLgsTUgBSTqv9_22FqP2agSewmwMKl87PWVnPlEhxiY3uUufDJaApZNdDAvRD63Td-Rlb3OudKO5G17gi3XdEpizZvqE9ZG0M/w444-h640/arakb.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>We move forward eight years. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Arak takes part in his first raid. The band invades a peaceful Christian monastery on the coast of Northumbra. As the battle rages through the monastery, Arak comes upon his leader, Sigvald, as he kills the Abbot and claims the monk's treasure, including an ornate jeweled cross.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Arak is confused as to why the monk refused to defend himself, and as he tries to comfort the dying Abbot, he is surprised to find himself being cursed by the dying man and called a devil.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVjeFCDM0ud7yCimp2ubb1Bk1Km66VNw373zv8lXQoJJvU1Yz8quxl61zr8VArlW3rmLzHBdQFxFD0nWM7OoH6S66OSUQ2Nt_cyHPuT0AiWH8G8SzNeAzV-yUEA6dYM410bkoo-7sgTrk22CqXuBMzrWZmVW4qIl8nYNbH_6GcP2eao84_yLb6tI8CLo/s1506/arakc.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="1084" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVjeFCDM0ud7yCimp2ubb1Bk1Km66VNw373zv8lXQoJJvU1Yz8quxl61zr8VArlW3rmLzHBdQFxFD0nWM7OoH6S66OSUQ2Nt_cyHPuT0AiWH8G8SzNeAzV-yUEA6dYM410bkoo-7sgTrk22CqXuBMzrWZmVW4qIl8nYNbH_6GcP2eao84_yLb6tI8CLo/w460-h640/arakc.jpg" width="460" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Leaving the Abbot's quarters, Arak becomes sickened by the raiders who have become his family when he sees them tormenting the defenseless monks. . .inflicting violence for no reason other than their own amusement. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When he's finally had enough, Arak steps in to save a monk being tortured by a Viking named Hrolf. He is mocked for being soft and Hrolf attacks, but he's no match for Arak, who swiftly kills him. The leader of the band, Sigvald, tells Arak that his actions prove that he's no real Viking any more than a wolf is a shark.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLTstFioOYbfekQXxkVl1fyKay8t25SXhHU1tK5cnW9WFlTArCptqv1M6HFbqHwjmF95kGe6jxlrWPJJhoVJWH5wcr19Pk82_ExYT3KG0nLcMifRFbAqP8ZqwaafeopSHoFjgzcflXHgtEX1Buq7EoqOmEKkPYzE_FK9VOKp7jy4KCNKKinBTd3Htq1E/s1600/arakd.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1069" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLTstFioOYbfekQXxkVl1fyKay8t25SXhHU1tK5cnW9WFlTArCptqv1M6HFbqHwjmF95kGe6jxlrWPJJhoVJWH5wcr19Pk82_ExYT3KG0nLcMifRFbAqP8ZqwaafeopSHoFjgzcflXHgtEX1Buq7EoqOmEKkPYzE_FK9VOKp7jy4KCNKKinBTd3Htq1E/w428-h640/arakd.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As winter falls and the Vikings rest in their longhouses and prepare for the next raiding season, the raid on the monastery weighs heavily on Arak. His former master and now friend, the Frankish Hermold, tries to ease Arak's mind by telling him the tale of Jesus Christ and how the monks follow His example of pacifism.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Arak is intrigued by the tale, and by the tales of the Frankish Christian Empire his friend speaks of. In return, Arak tells Hermold what he remembers of his own land. . .far across the sea to the West.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> He belonged to a tribe called the Quontauka, who worshipped a Thunder God called He-No. His mother told him that he was He-No's son. Truth or not? Who can say? He claims his people are all dead except for him.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWhqNoGbwF9elkMVUHvQ8dPsARk-JISSsTgAD86jjO8lvjA9G2iOM1m-SFlzpTc_Fxmps0EMzF3tm4Gwl5HtKFJcnUuaaxKCl5JzfzKNk7YIWQf9S8h4NgCPbEi5vb4ccM0rfkqqCFS36dLFzXJ9hYFukBvj6uNtzH2suaUCBqg3iw41RNNSDMkQ0gU0/s1600/arake.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1098" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWhqNoGbwF9elkMVUHvQ8dPsARk-JISSsTgAD86jjO8lvjA9G2iOM1m-SFlzpTc_Fxmps0EMzF3tm4Gwl5HtKFJcnUuaaxKCl5JzfzKNk7YIWQf9S8h4NgCPbEi5vb4ccM0rfkqqCFS36dLFzXJ9hYFukBvj6uNtzH2suaUCBqg3iw41RNNSDMkQ0gU0/w440-h640/arake.jpg" width="440" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We move forward. Winter is gone and another raiding season comes. Arak and Hermold try to convince Sigvald that no good can come of raiding defenseless monasteries. Such attacks will only rouse the anger of the Anglo-Saxons who rule Northumbra. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sigvald ignores them and sets his sights on another monastery. But as they approach in the darkness, a strange sight comes into view. . .a white-haired woman standing alone on a rock in the sea!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As the Vikings ponder the strange encounter, she chants words of dark magic and a giant serpent rises from the depths to smash the raider band's ship! Only a few of the Vikings make it to shore, along with Arak. . .where they are greeted by armed and enraged monks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhKS2PMBeEGq38vRFCp1IeVWKV8FFV5dMJMXE1k1KnZZKukIr5E3YiuOyKv4_ATdzZBwVCwCvFn2cJh2sFmkP2FoO34ndSCYVSbV6pJRRTHupQQONIsgH2yQ5d8_BXqdBZG4ufF_CyqH1jO-fmbxSNxJLDvKqiU63arvOz3QjxLsvN7Y2o6XoZq8j2ak/s1600/arakf.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1104" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhKS2PMBeEGq38vRFCp1IeVWKV8FFV5dMJMXE1k1KnZZKukIr5E3YiuOyKv4_ATdzZBwVCwCvFn2cJh2sFmkP2FoO34ndSCYVSbV6pJRRTHupQQONIsgH2yQ5d8_BXqdBZG4ufF_CyqH1jO-fmbxSNxJLDvKqiU63arvOz3QjxLsvN7Y2o6XoZq8j2ak/w442-h640/arakf.jpg" width="442" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hermold tries to appeal to the Christian monks, throwing down his weapon and surrendering in the name of God. . .but the monks leap on the Frankish raider and kill him, driving Arak into a berserker rage!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But even in his rage, Arak is soon overwhelmed by the strangely-aggressive monks. When he wakes, he finds himself being tended to by one of the monks. The only survivor of his band beside him is their leader, Sigvald. They are both being held prisoner, along with the monks who had killed their companions. Arak is confused.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The monk explains that they were forced to fight by a brother and sister named Argalia and Angelica (the woman who summoned the serpent), who appeared with a pair of giant Oriental bodyguards two days earlier and took over the monastery.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVSz-KZzvEz-7dwGmYD-hHDhJbfEGdMHYQFuIOr-hU-VblfFE51gNrkgCQC_CgOdn7yvRCMqgsRtk3TgzaR4oHAteiU1NDcqzOK08T_P3AcWCsnWL_8YDuWnew-oqfh_AXDs_8HJ6jB6zz6zl5aYJ1NfCkYcsUXThAy1qBWzKG2lppredamnadA9RXqM/s1600/arakg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1085" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVSz-KZzvEz-7dwGmYD-hHDhJbfEGdMHYQFuIOr-hU-VblfFE51gNrkgCQC_CgOdn7yvRCMqgsRtk3TgzaR4oHAteiU1NDcqzOK08T_P3AcWCsnWL_8YDuWnew-oqfh_AXDs_8HJ6jB6zz6zl5aYJ1NfCkYcsUXThAy1qBWzKG2lppredamnadA9RXqM/w434-h640/arakg.jpg" width="434" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's not long before Angelica comes to meet Arak. She's intrigued by the strange red-skinned man and offers him his life in exchange for service as her personal slave and bodyguard. Arak agrees, claiming any deal is a good one if the second offer is death.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When Angelica takes Arak to meet her brother, Argalia, she reveals that the reason they have taken over the monastery is because of a magic ring hidden among its relics. A ring that not only makes the wearer invisible, but also protects against all enchantments. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Angelica mentions that she will be using the ring against Malagigi. . .court magician to King Carolus Magnus (Charlemagne), a name Arak recognizes from Hermold's tales of the Christian kingdom of the Franks. Now curious about traveling to the Frankish kingdom, Arak leaves the monastery with his new mistress and her brother.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVpJhKzzJC8nAwVex2tu78W09ujK94N_q4NFTIfeyWJfRl-CA_byUNjS7VywrkCJ0ZrvDDRfQ04PHVl6oiqlKX0U0nyDimxGrcF36Oq2qonQevQUNHw7JxBJLCuutWao-YFeRimKWcTckH2AZBGXzOoG7XzGJhatvXyJzK666bdUPA6r5gUpFq_YROAwU/s1600/arakh.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVpJhKzzJC8nAwVex2tu78W09ujK94N_q4NFTIfeyWJfRl-CA_byUNjS7VywrkCJ0ZrvDDRfQ04PHVl6oiqlKX0U0nyDimxGrcF36Oq2qonQevQUNHw7JxBJLCuutWao-YFeRimKWcTckH2AZBGXzOoG7XzGJhatvXyJzK666bdUPA6r5gUpFq_YROAwU/w428-h640/arakh.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As they set sail, Arak sees the remaining monks, as well as Sigvald, marooned on a rocky island. Angelica once again casts the spell summoning the giant serpent to kill the prisoners. As the monks pray, Arak begs his new mistress to spare them. She refuses and reminds Arak of the oath he swore not to take up arms against her or her brother.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Arak proclaims that he will keep his oath, but that doesn't prevent him from killing the serpent! He leaps overboard and swims to rescue the monk who tended to him, leaving Sigvald to his fate.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> Arak spots the wreckage of the Viking ship and grabs the jewel-encrusted cross Sigvald had lashed to the mast. Using it as a sword, Arak strikes down the attacking serpent! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgW30dfO4OckYFaQfWwMDGpTv0hV8OF_kLybDlUNEqUeF7cA-0nVr7jT2lDviCI946tKwVHO075qAXFovXaES_xB1j1GuMne-F2vInyqj2gHoFFwLQEbZUNcydHvWTkERvry3YrUNgFBlg1PYNKH9hzepE8bsLn_P9tql0khroade1ZtKPd2zs_9fHaxI/s1600/araki.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1089" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgW30dfO4OckYFaQfWwMDGpTv0hV8OF_kLybDlUNEqUeF7cA-0nVr7jT2lDviCI946tKwVHO075qAXFovXaES_xB1j1GuMne-F2vInyqj2gHoFFwLQEbZUNcydHvWTkERvry3YrUNgFBlg1PYNKH9hzepE8bsLn_P9tql0khroade1ZtKPd2zs_9fHaxI/w436-h640/araki.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the aftermath of the battle, Arak sees that Angelica has left without him. He declares his intention to travel to the Frankish kingdom to meet King Carolus Magnus, and to perhaps gain some answers about the gods. Who saved him during the battle? The Christian God, or He-No of his lost tribe? Either way, he sets forth on a new journey.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKAuXnlDAG8g1rKqYLxFqFKA2z2XxACagcQJNcaVB-IDu_XnQFminUIQqhMC-bRctXoHT4QHbXiY6vMOsC0GhyuES1oXACvSxjirffuozc7J3ItPNodlTFjKn6eZ_UhUZ5K8kI4-GqH-YYdKn2YMKjT9aGTvD6P521Yu_BFVbrFrbKRVTdQbafMzz0yzA/s1600/arakj.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1109" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKAuXnlDAG8g1rKqYLxFqFKA2z2XxACagcQJNcaVB-IDu_XnQFminUIQqhMC-bRctXoHT4QHbXiY6vMOsC0GhyuES1oXACvSxjirffuozc7J3ItPNodlTFjKn6eZ_UhUZ5K8kI4-GqH-YYdKn2YMKjT9aGTvD6P521Yu_BFVbrFrbKRVTdQbafMzz0yzA/w444-h640/arakj.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The End. . .To be Continued.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><b>THE REVIEW:</b><br /><br />There it is. The first issue of Arak, Son of Thunder. Let's break it on down!<br /><br />It was. . .better than what I expected. Like I said in the introduction, I see issues of this series CONSTANTLY in bargain bins. But now I wonder why. This first issue was pretty dang good!<br /><br />First off, any time I see Roy Thomas' name as writer, I KNOW the story will be solid. Thomas is one of the most reliable writers in comics, and has been for a long time. The man is a comic legend in MY book for the sheer amount of good stories he's given us over the decades. I'm not sure why he's not mentioned often when fans talk about great comic writers, but I think he deserves to be.<br /><br /><br />Thomas gives this tale his signature sword and sorcery swagger most well known from his MANY Conan stories. . .but Arak gets a little twist in that it's set in the actual dark ages world we know from the history books, but with some magic and mystery thrown into the mix. A little dark ages "What If?" if you will.<br /><br />I think what caught me by surprise the most in this story is the amount of Christian imagery to be found. The Christian faith is definitely front and center, and a big part of this story. It's a pretty bold move to have a comic from 1981 really leaning into an existing religion like this one does, especially for a mainstream title put out by one of the "Big Two".<br /><br />To ME, the setting of this story makes it great. Not the prehistoric Hyborian Age of Conan, but a world of Vikings and Native Americans and Christian Monks and Frankish Kings. Really more along the lines of Solomon Kane, if you really want to make a comparison to R.E. Howard's works that were the more familiar stomping grounds of Roy Thomas.<br /><br />That said, this first issue DOES read like a Conan story. Later issues lean into Arak's Native American heritage as the son of Thunder God He-No, and Arak becomes more of a Hercules character. . .half man, half god. But at the start of the series. . .yeah. . .it's sort of Conan for DC.<br /><br />But that doesn't make it bad. If there's ONE thing Roy Thomas does well, it's sword and sorcery in the Conan style. You get that here in full measure. Seafaring raiders. . .mysterious sorcery. . .giant serpents. . .a burly outcast hero in a strange land. If you like Thomas' Conan, you're gonna like Arak!<br /><br />On the art side of things, the Ernie Colón/ Tony DeZuniga art team do a fantastic job of bringing this dark ages fantasy world to life! I really think that DeZuniga's inks are the magic touch here. Colón's pencils are very nice, but DeZuniga's dark, bold inks lend to the individual panels a lifelike sense of motion in his signature style that has long made me consider DeZuniga one of my favorite Bronze Age comic artists.<br /><br />That's not to say that Ernie Colón's pencils aren't just as good. I really like how his backgrounds are either sketchy or not existent at all. . .providing more of a backdrop than a background where the characters and action in the foreground push forward and grab the eye! It's a style I really enjoy, especially for this kind of story.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">CONCLUSION</span></b></div><br /><br />This was a surprisingly good read for a series that is pretty much bargain bin fodder. Roy Thomas provides a solid story with a great dark ages setting, and the Colón/ DeZuniga art team make it come to life in a big way.<br /><br />If you're looking for some great Bronze Age sword and sorcery that ISN'T Conan, then don't pass Arak by next time you spot it in the bargain bin. I have most of this series (30 issues) and can tell you that the story just gets better as it goes along and leans more into Arak being a sort of Native American Hercules.<br /><br />There are some similarities to Conan, but trust me when I say that they are just sort of on the surface. This is most certainly not a Conan comic. Unfortunately, I have the feeling that those surface similarities to Conan is why this series lives in the bargain bin. Frankly, I think it deserves better.<br /><br />This series has never been collected, for some reason (probably those surface similarities to Conan) but the issues are very easy to find. I Highly recommend Arak, Son of Thunder for comic fans looking for some Bronze Age sword and sorcery comics that don't revolve around R.E. Howard's grim Cimmerian.<br /><br /><br />Up Next. . .<br /><br />It's a comic tie-in to a movie that never got made.<br />AC's BLACK DIAMOND!<br /><br />Be there or be square!<br /></div>Atomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07048497340899834399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025939866108320406.post-3793345639850796792024-01-04T00:15:00.000-08:002024-01-04T00:15:26.095-08:00Longbox Junk - Xenobrood Part 2 - Issues 4 - 6Welcome to Longbox Junk, where I write comic reviews even though nobody asked me to!<div><br /></div><div>Let's keep this introduction sort of short. What we have here is the second half of my review of the entire ill-fated and practically forgotten series featuring DC's version of a an X-treme 90s mutant superhero team meant to compete with Image and Marvel. . .Xenobrood.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the first half ( <a href="https://longboxjunk.blogspot.com/2023/11/longbox-junk-xenobrood-part-1-issues-0-3.html" target="_blank">ISSUES 0-3</a> ) I determined that the main reason this series is forgotten is ALSO the very reason it came to be. As a potential competitor for 90s powerhouse Image, DC was barely on the playing field. </div><div><br /></div><div>Not that they didn't give it a decent try. DC brought on a solid writer with some good fan credit in Doug Moench. The team's origin had a pretty interesting hook in the "ancient astronaut" theory. And the art. . .well. . .it was about as 90s as you can get without bringing in Liefeld on the job. </div><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately, none of it was enough and Xenobrood turned out to be just okay. And in the 90s when you're competing against the new bully on the playground named Image, okay wasn't going to cut it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Worse, you can literally see DC giving up on Xenobrood. It was originally supposed to be an ongoing series, spinning out of DC's soft 90s reboot, Zero Hour. Instead it was quickly and quietly downgraded to a mini-series like that was how it was supposed to be the whole time. </div><div><br /></div><div>To make the slide even steeper, a new art team came in on just the THIRD issue, which ALSO featured a hail Mary Superman crossover sales stimulant (which apparently didn't work).</div><div><br /></div><div>And now we're on issue four of this failed and forgotten experiment. It's pretty clear that this thing is headed for disaster, and I COULD have just stopped with the first part of this review. But I've said it before, and I'll say it again. . .I ain't a quitter, son!</div><div><br /></div><div>Xenobrood Part Two. . .issues 4-6. Let's do this!</div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">XENOBROOD - PART TWO</span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>ISSUES #4 - #6</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>DC (1995)</b></div></span></b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> ISSUE FOUR</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiz55q62uhYA_s1yQ88gh9iIOCOx8rKxLOOF4DJxsCesoOqR809cRUIdHAlZLOlhIT29_70KC62LIZkJUWkAeD-2-CHW91tXMw0F-nvrLPNr0yO9HwIzXXuOBZ3ZZQunNttA3uVspinqy0_98TtZgP05G-CILlJ1iL0pp0iV-qONG8YRun6Rsjf9BJA0/s603/xenobroodcover4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiz55q62uhYA_s1yQ88gh9iIOCOx8rKxLOOF4DJxsCesoOqR809cRUIdHAlZLOlhIT29_70KC62LIZkJUWkAeD-2-CHW91tXMw0F-nvrLPNr0yO9HwIzXXuOBZ3ZZQunNttA3uVspinqy0_98TtZgP05G-CILlJ1iL0pp0iV-qONG8YRun6Rsjf9BJA0/w424-h640/xenobroodcover4.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>COVER: Chris Hunter</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">CREATURES OF CRYSTAL</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;">SCRIPT: Doug Moench</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;">PENCILS: Chris Hunter</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;">INKS: John Lowe</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;">THE STORY:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Picking up directly from the cliffhanger in the previous issue, Superman and the Xenobrood are wary of each other as Doctor Leight fills his team in on Superman's origins and also tells Superman about the Xenobrood. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As tensions ease between Superman and the Xenobrood, we learn that Vimana has managed to quickly process a few crystals stolen from the ancient Babylonian dig site. Unfortunately, their improper storage has tainted them. They are powerful and capable of following orders, but are otherwise mindless crystalline husks. Still useful, but not what Vimana was hoping for.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkRKjy2HXbs-FLno_xylgBO_3pSDCfZaRjCdhjuNmEkLyduK9K54D8-kmLNXQVbkif0ZwbOCKlWB3rNx4DFHsAqOYTtbdgbc9gIojuoi44z-E874_Mxq3FzYVoNhauKfvT4gZQ9sHpPxnnB4Y6MN7sB1e2ni1jnczjYSQ6k0P8MT8ODkYHGuoSLb85dao/s1541/xenobrood%204a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1541" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkRKjy2HXbs-FLno_xylgBO_3pSDCfZaRjCdhjuNmEkLyduK9K54D8-kmLNXQVbkif0ZwbOCKlWB3rNx4DFHsAqOYTtbdgbc9gIojuoi44z-E874_Mxq3FzYVoNhauKfvT4gZQ9sHpPxnnB4Y6MN7sB1e2ni1jnczjYSQ6k0P8MT8ODkYHGuoSLb85dao/w426-h640/xenobrood%204a.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Back at the dig site, the Iraqi army discovers the entrance into the ruins and attacks! Superman leaps to action, but Doctor Leight convinces the hero to stand down and observe as the Xenobrood takes care of the threat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As Superman warily watches, the Xenobrood manages to hold their own against the massing troops, especially Astra, who uses her powers to possess multiple targets for the first time. But it soon becomes clear that there's too many of them and Superman starts taking down the heavier targets as they approach.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbt9cOkqdwf_MXH1N5HXstUuqNg9SSv4jn2-ZHmVtZLshz6v9EwUaVPkIIM0W3FpjDubO72K9ZIyMEQ4l4uFVLQAdTKs-RzF_X46jPFjETx9GZci8E2pbVYBd1DgLPJZ0ifsWra9HBi7Do358Q0JIymA8hPBEm_1bSj_2EGKGak1xSlJeXi2gLiseN1CQ/s1509/xenobrood%204b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1509" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbt9cOkqdwf_MXH1N5HXstUuqNg9SSv4jn2-ZHmVtZLshz6v9EwUaVPkIIM0W3FpjDubO72K9ZIyMEQ4l4uFVLQAdTKs-RzF_X46jPFjETx9GZci8E2pbVYBd1DgLPJZ0ifsWra9HBi7Do358Q0JIymA8hPBEm_1bSj_2EGKGak1xSlJeXi2gLiseN1CQ/w434-h640/xenobrood%204b.jpg" width="434" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But while Superman is distracted, Vimana sends his tainted crystal warriors into the battle! A desperate fight breaks out between the crystal creatures and the Xenobrood. Superman hears their struggle and returns to help, using sonic waves to destroy the crystal warriors and the ship that brought them to the battle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCukJoVyI00W7iJHYqG0rRBdNqo91ueASJuTH9moz3dG60GpYRUE7P1pggkLvxkVFhKVd9F8zMFW9ojDpvh-09xp3X7gw9cboXF0h0xXU5PFF7LF9gjguc1e_HKGvUXzK4j6RTGMt2ievD6OUuo-qSAWGBa707D0kqoncQr83rxpA0QYV3XEUHf9r6oc/s1514/xenbrood%204c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1514" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCukJoVyI00W7iJHYqG0rRBdNqo91ueASJuTH9moz3dG60GpYRUE7P1pggkLvxkVFhKVd9F8zMFW9ojDpvh-09xp3X7gw9cboXF0h0xXU5PFF7LF9gjguc1e_HKGvUXzK4j6RTGMt2ievD6OUuo-qSAWGBa707D0kqoncQr83rxpA0QYV3XEUHf9r6oc/w432-h640/xenbrood%204c.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The grateful Xenobrood and Doctor Leight agree with Superman that the secrets hidden in the prehistoric ruins are too dangerous and powerful to remain available to ANYONE. And so the Xenobrood and Superman work together to close and hide the entrance forever.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Afterward, Superman leaves the Xenobrood after telling them that he can relate to their difficulty finding their way and their place. . .after all, he's an alien just like they are. He tells them to keep up the good work and flies off into the sunset.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Doctor Leight decides to return home with the Xenobrood and face whatever comes next.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5r7LpQ72nBZfFByIJVPTX5thyphenhyphenB-21RGIJaRKja7ZQlfOfHuNMoc4tUhT6ZRkk4PXB-sOgrrcICwhW41Ra7Mp3aWCwcNtirSwn7QBydvQAIYpChkmEiqiW4JZ8mrwKUefy6Enc8sYbMJ9XCMr1Q3FiO5Jvxhdc2rsVzYZO7jHYe7zVpB3hrVN6HfPxBM/s1545/xenobrood4d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1545" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5r7LpQ72nBZfFByIJVPTX5thyphenhyphenB-21RGIJaRKja7ZQlfOfHuNMoc4tUhT6ZRkk4PXB-sOgrrcICwhW41Ra7Mp3aWCwcNtirSwn7QBydvQAIYpChkmEiqiW4JZ8mrwKUefy6Enc8sYbMJ9XCMr1Q3FiO5Jvxhdc2rsVzYZO7jHYe7zVpB3hrVN6HfPxBM/w424-h640/xenobrood4d.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The End. . .To be continued.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;">THE REVIEW:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Superman does NOT save the day, as far as this issue is concerned.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It just seems ridiculous that the Xenobrood don't know who Superman is when they've gained most of their knowledge of Earth through television. This is a world where superheroes are ALSO superstars! I expect better writing from Doug Moench. At this point he seems like he's also giving up on the whole thing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This whole issue is pretty disappointing. Superman's part is a pretty obvious attempt at propping up sales of this series. The biggest thing he's there for besides a "You guys are great! No, really!" pep talk meant just as much for the reader as for the Xenobrood is to move this title away from attempting to be an "X" title entirely by making sure to firmly establish the Xenobrood as aliens, not mutants. He also punches a few tanks. . .so there's that, too, I guess.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Setting the DC mutant angle aside is a move that makes DC giving up on this series painfully obvious. It looks to ME like they figured out pretty quickly that they weren't going to be competing in the overcrowded mutant comic space after all.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And then there's the art. I've already said that Hunter's art seems flat and that his heart wasn't in it (he left comics entirely not too long after this series) but this issue has some pretty bad. . .almost embarrassing. . . Superman illustrations.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">One would THINK that if you were a practically unknown comic artist thrown onto a failing series to push it over a rapidly approaching finish line and you were given the opportunity to draw one of DC's biggest Superheroes. . .no. . .one of THE biggest Superheroes of all. . .you would put your best effort in. You would think. But no. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Two more issues to go. Let's do it!</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">ISSUE FIVE</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4DuFzcwBUozP2AhoseSpNbZeQeeRe82dHGYLbOB5hgA6uI1gHfPW4QmrwyaB6EvwFa24l43QpmYHzRJe7RZzv-4K-oeS73qmwHfDz-dWZuN1ov7hEurziccbT8zPhTVd79q9LCbbOHCXjvFkipLOvbfHh8tFMJ7waNGr9Ziq5eXTj3MSoGTxy9Ht03M/s610/xenobroodcover5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4DuFzcwBUozP2AhoseSpNbZeQeeRe82dHGYLbOB5hgA6uI1gHfPW4QmrwyaB6EvwFa24l43QpmYHzRJe7RZzv-4K-oeS73qmwHfDz-dWZuN1ov7hEurziccbT8zPhTVd79q9LCbbOHCXjvFkipLOvbfHh8tFMJ7waNGr9Ziq5eXTj3MSoGTxy9Ht03M/w420-h640/xenobroodcover5.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>COVER: Chris Hunter</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">ENDTIMES</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;">SCRIPT: Doug Moench</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;">PENCILS: Chris Hunter</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;">INKS: John Lowe</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;">THE STORY:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Upon their return from the Middle East, Doctor Leight and the Xenobrood go into hiding while they try to figure out how to get the government off their back. Leight enters into a secret deal with a television producer who is willing to pay Leight a million dollars for exclusive footage and interviews with the Xenobrood. More than enough to find a new hidden base of operations.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3Uw54tQtFF0plQBq8XiSsPfl-f9PXYSkn6cVlReDdKvUZkMyv4vOoaJnoieSbpPZz7nNhDQwcBbtyY1F08p44CDM9HrAhzu5HGzcUx3m6_crhudGbYRxYVqbF9KOxZk7Im0Jt8ZnHaJ9SHX6FIEWq8BF2APXOeC-OeFb3wQJp-ZVKhPhBumMLRQzsao/s1527/xenobrood5a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1527" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3Uw54tQtFF0plQBq8XiSsPfl-f9PXYSkn6cVlReDdKvUZkMyv4vOoaJnoieSbpPZz7nNhDQwcBbtyY1F08p44CDM9HrAhzu5HGzcUx3m6_crhudGbYRxYVqbF9KOxZk7Im0Jt8ZnHaJ9SHX6FIEWq8BF2APXOeC-OeFb3wQJp-ZVKhPhBumMLRQzsao/w430-h640/xenobrood5a.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But once he actually meets the producer, Leight gets uncomfortable with the level of exploitation he's agreeing to put the Xenobrood through for money and calls off the deal. As they leave the studio, Leight is unaware that one of the crew has alerted the authorities and Leight and the Xenobrood are ambushed and captured by the mysterious heavily-armed government agency that has been hunting them!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOhM0H40zT6jfvrn7K1JjkLCmaaQjGFejxyDkuxZQD_CN8KPrWZDFk7zKtQA1h8oHuanQiJU8ulVeeJbQ819xFeYeNatM46NSsAFT1IMXSEPillHvZZ2-h-7luHygrOjQK9yHkyeuqyO8wW6I05UgxvnxoKVXgtSfC_XpEg6vM1DMUh27lMroTY7uiERw/s1539/xenobrood%205b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1539" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOhM0H40zT6jfvrn7K1JjkLCmaaQjGFejxyDkuxZQD_CN8KPrWZDFk7zKtQA1h8oHuanQiJU8ulVeeJbQ819xFeYeNatM46NSsAFT1IMXSEPillHvZZ2-h-7luHygrOjQK9yHkyeuqyO8wW6I05UgxvnxoKVXgtSfC_XpEg6vM1DMUh27lMroTY7uiERw/w426-h640/xenobrood%205b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Leight finds himself at Area 51, in the hands of "Project Aquarius". The Xenobrood are prisoners, Lorna is nowhere to be found, and he is being interrogated. In exchange for his life, Leight tells the government interrogator everything he knows about the Xenobrood. . .their powers, their prehistoric alien origin, the implications of their very existence on human history!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Unknown to Leight or Project Aquarius, the Xenobrood's capture was witnessed by agents of Vimana, who dispatches a strike team to Area 51 to release the Xenobrood and capture them for his slaves.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqQgEmbdDCHLlPdtnvJTGTChssTZfaVRQrOBlTa1OuBERP26BUB8M_RrqexIn8vtlq-K6WKdbF0yQvBTXP6k5NnBZsdeig2LuCNaiJ9_J22SYlyakjOalb_-DxhDayQ-gwtfudUUZr4jAlD26I_Ei9yye9-jgGv3sVrY6Se7FS3oFm48DhcNQOsfTECM/s1539/xenobrood%205c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1539" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqQgEmbdDCHLlPdtnvJTGTChssTZfaVRQrOBlTa1OuBERP26BUB8M_RrqexIn8vtlq-K6WKdbF0yQvBTXP6k5NnBZsdeig2LuCNaiJ9_J22SYlyakjOalb_-DxhDayQ-gwtfudUUZr4jAlD26I_Ei9yye9-jgGv3sVrY6Se7FS3oFm48DhcNQOsfTECM/w426-h640/xenobrood%205c.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As alarms blare through Area 51 and Vimana's strike team penetrate security, the Xenobrood manage to free themselves and rescue Doctor Leight and Lorna. Astra takes over the mind of the pilot of the strike team's aircraft and discovers that the ship has an autopilot that will take them back to it's home base.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Leight and the Xenobrood decide to escape in the craft and find out who their TRUE enemy is.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMno6DdnkwfVGwTdIdt7sRLn3lnsJkEDUvglZVH1cF5SM7zl2ads-jLJXQN2R1O6ygHeUMYgy1TBhFvwMrkn3muR6uKpELvLNYjHsgQiqk60ofasTa3021xFQbbBaRP9ECGvt-WWHsoL114PmPEaA9OvkdoVmusWRTnObPMe3Tp_tvsHup1VUhPtsu9Jc/s1539/xenobrood%205d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1539" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMno6DdnkwfVGwTdIdt7sRLn3lnsJkEDUvglZVH1cF5SM7zl2ads-jLJXQN2R1O6ygHeUMYgy1TBhFvwMrkn3muR6uKpELvLNYjHsgQiqk60ofasTa3021xFQbbBaRP9ECGvt-WWHsoL114PmPEaA9OvkdoVmusWRTnObPMe3Tp_tvsHup1VUhPtsu9Jc/w426-h640/xenobrood%205d.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To be continued. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;">THE REVIEW:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Surprisingly, this was actually one of the better issues of the run. We get more of the Ancient Alien/ Annunaki background of the Xenobrood from Doug Moench, and I can also see a definite improvement in Chris Hunter's art, compared to the last issue.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's still not great. You can easily tell Moench is pretty much phoning it in and spinning the wheels waiting for the finale, despite a healthy dose of the concept that made this team at least a bit different than your average "X" team (Oops. . .sorry. They're strictly aliens now). It's too little, too late. . .and honestly, it's a rehash of small bits from other issues compiled into one place. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Still, with the overwhelming mediocrity of this series as a whole, I'll take a halfway decent issue when I get one and give credit where credit is due. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And FINALLY. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">ISSUE SIX</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwU6nPPW_JhrwqmDX9pFwNZaBa02PAcPX4geJFPhzYZ3-c0HZzz4zLD2r7AqnTe6uo-6k2QFQXwpm_8Pp9purniuh6QALoSzicdGoIgob5zHXYyMvcQ-KIOLWNfwB8VjLjQhSxHlgCe2DsIfzU888hamdZb9l7w7hzrgqeSg0hJTHdHCK3G58SILX1CrY/s610/xenobroodcover6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwU6nPPW_JhrwqmDX9pFwNZaBa02PAcPX4geJFPhzYZ3-c0HZzz4zLD2r7AqnTe6uo-6k2QFQXwpm_8Pp9purniuh6QALoSzicdGoIgob5zHXYyMvcQ-KIOLWNfwB8VjLjQhSxHlgCe2DsIfzU888hamdZb9l7w7hzrgqeSg0hJTHdHCK3G58SILX1CrY/w420-h640/xenobroodcover6.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">COVER: Chris Hunter</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">MEETING THEIR MAKER</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;">SCRIPT: Doug Moench</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;">PENCILS: Chris Hunter</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;">INKS: John Lowe</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;">THE STORY:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Continuing directly from the previous issue, Doctor Leight, Lorna, and the Xenobrood manage to capture the ship used by Vimana's strike force and they use it to escape the hidden government "Project Aquarius" laboratory at Area 51. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">They are shocked to discover the ship's autopilot takes them deep under the sea to a high-tech hidden base. Immediately after docking, and before they can even get their bearings, the base's guards attack!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gRmnyjPXodNsvVkuf3cPcUY7ZaRDMqDVBRIiJ-VBL4PuXSJ3mOC6l2CmOovcWdg9TrjHhSl4zZgO4szZQ4bKqNhLn8STllVXZcBiZ0Ye8VMLhftwbiywRdSpZsJDYYmAW3EuBn5uixDYZhSSOPfk917bFCoxcph5_3Da61GsIb421RPl-IySxlgcehw/s1525/xenobrood%206a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1525" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gRmnyjPXodNsvVkuf3cPcUY7ZaRDMqDVBRIiJ-VBL4PuXSJ3mOC6l2CmOovcWdg9TrjHhSl4zZgO4szZQ4bKqNhLn8STllVXZcBiZ0Ye8VMLhftwbiywRdSpZsJDYYmAW3EuBn5uixDYZhSSOPfk917bFCoxcph5_3Da61GsIb421RPl-IySxlgcehw/w430-h640/xenobrood%206a.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As Doctor Leight and the Xenobrood fight their way through the alien base, they discover the lab where the rest of the crystals from the archeological dig in the ancient Sumerian temple are stored. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There is a debate over whether or not they should destroy them, but the renewed attacks of the undersea base's guards decide it for them when a stray shot destroys the container the rest of the crystals are held in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrQkcseIIDgprErZG_1vZfTcJi6NPjKhfG1rELW2rsEzubyNjFYrSUleiNp6XLKk1A378IO268fgsI4rcdOlvGPUauv-L-LfxoaPJCIgeDbd0NBLFSQVZ-zij3HhC5XQoewZiEQdXjPWQx9ldOZRi8AzG6gUL2LOskpYHt78Awxp30tzqS41Df8U-5ec/s1550/xenobrood%206b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1550" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrQkcseIIDgprErZG_1vZfTcJi6NPjKhfG1rELW2rsEzubyNjFYrSUleiNp6XLKk1A378IO268fgsI4rcdOlvGPUauv-L-LfxoaPJCIgeDbd0NBLFSQVZ-zij3HhC5XQoewZiEQdXjPWQx9ldOZRi8AzG6gUL2LOskpYHt78Awxp30tzqS41Df8U-5ec/w422-h640/xenobrood%206b.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When the crystals are destroyed, Vimana himself finally steps in. But instead of fighting, he uses his mental powers to open the minds of the Xenobrood and show them the fantastic, highly-advanced civilization of their homeworld. As the Xenobrood marvel at the sights, Vimana offers them the chance to join him and leave Earth behind.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But the Xenobrood know from Leight's research that they were created as slaves and breeders, and that they would be used as such on their homeworld. They would rather be free outcasts than slaves in a gilded cage. They refuse Vimana's offer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgndZ7Ejcy49vNy-eCDZ4nccwGBtaVr5eVG0taFNxaS3DaohfyT3LiPy8LxmUog8YurnYDbJ20jhcg8DX-8ymT3iLaQPtVmZUvUwaApFTx83Q6fe7vdYsGDQd-9y1LuZQU-uoWyA5ogeaS0DMXdm_perNrJVZ_t3pKqv-O3GuOe6oZgise71-3X-YtBnzA/s1524/xenobrood%206c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1524" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgndZ7Ejcy49vNy-eCDZ4nccwGBtaVr5eVG0taFNxaS3DaohfyT3LiPy8LxmUog8YurnYDbJ20jhcg8DX-8ymT3iLaQPtVmZUvUwaApFTx83Q6fe7vdYsGDQd-9y1LuZQU-uoWyA5ogeaS0DMXdm_perNrJVZ_t3pKqv-O3GuOe6oZgise71-3X-YtBnzA/w430-h640/xenobrood%206c.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And with the Xenobrood's refusal, Vimana flies into a rage and an epic battle to the finish ensues!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ha-Ha. . .just kidding.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Vimana gets depressed and decides that life in exile isn't worth living any longer. He triggers the base's destruct sequence and tells Doctor Leight and the Xenobrood to get out before it explodes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And so, while Vimana patiently waits for death, Doctor Leight, Lorna, and the Xenobrood run for the craft that brought them, barely escaping with their lives as the base explodes behind them!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbbNhwVYYdDvlrTTck2Ck9_h4xFjINkDaaqyd3SKXEodW2fb3nYnobtbZ2haNi3Hv-sVVOaaexhRfbwEZ4tyAG6u4tgY2a8ozFAHpNe1yTVPD1i9_XtKMBSaRnURm4y4OmUeqZw6ulApeoaQD1B8EQ8_HIpSpPPff-oUBWripyl5LTVmeLS62sQgjJc8/s1522/xenobrood%206d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1522" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbbNhwVYYdDvlrTTck2Ck9_h4xFjINkDaaqyd3SKXEodW2fb3nYnobtbZ2haNi3Hv-sVVOaaexhRfbwEZ4tyAG6u4tgY2a8ozFAHpNe1yTVPD1i9_XtKMBSaRnURm4y4OmUeqZw6ulApeoaQD1B8EQ8_HIpSpPPff-oUBWripyl5LTVmeLS62sQgjJc8/w430-h640/xenobrood%206d.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After their craft also self-destructs, Leight, Lorna, and the Xenobrood find themselves washed ashore outside of New York City. Now that the threat of Vimana is gone, and in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty, Leight tells the Xenobrood that they are free. It's not right for him to be their "master" any more than it was for Vimana. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As the Xenobrood leave for parts unknown, Lorna tells Leight that she's rediscovered her feelings for him and wants to give their relationship another chance. All's well that ends well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPpDOFQ077pryieH9Golf5yKVNwouN84mbzfyOuCg_brxsIsZhT3PjvzJbMj2nJVgAapmxtc1x3Ifl0g4RhvynBr_DjirzfGMHL6w1orh8auSNWUe9IgDpNwfcsNq2xDoQmhhhTC3A-_txYGFocL_21IyxurX_XyMgoBC61j1Kvu4ARkyWlypQ-VGzUk/s1569/xenobrood%206e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1569" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPpDOFQ077pryieH9Golf5yKVNwouN84mbzfyOuCg_brxsIsZhT3PjvzJbMj2nJVgAapmxtc1x3Ifl0g4RhvynBr_DjirzfGMHL6w1orh8auSNWUe9IgDpNwfcsNq2xDoQmhhhTC3A-_txYGFocL_21IyxurX_XyMgoBC61j1Kvu4ARkyWlypQ-VGzUk/w418-h640/xenobrood%206e.jpg" width="418" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">EPILOGUE:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the months following Leight freeing the Xenobrood, he and Lorna move in together. They have made a deal with a television producer, revealing the government's secret Project Aquarius in exchange for public protection for both them and the Xenobrood.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And then, one night, unexpected visitors arrive. . .the Xenobrood! They have decided to remain with Doctor Leight of their own free will. What will the future hold? Who knows. But for now. . .a happy ending.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7iI9aSAlBzrX97J1SZkVjsod3Gq-K4ICItrhLE7z7x5GUKnz7TPvQs_Vg_LtgHoIMVk7IUweAf3etxgK3QWf9BbDWxh68K9JwxCBP__ewY5cQorda_rLPO7Tp4_xWFmZCAs8kX8gWnTdHaPhap4JkCcU1vCMx0XcPm9vIBk5jB3Xzw7raelgwp9tvadw/s1501/xenobrood%206f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1501" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7iI9aSAlBzrX97J1SZkVjsod3Gq-K4ICItrhLE7z7x5GUKnz7TPvQs_Vg_LtgHoIMVk7IUweAf3etxgK3QWf9BbDWxh68K9JwxCBP__ewY5cQorda_rLPO7Tp4_xWFmZCAs8kX8gWnTdHaPhap4JkCcU1vCMx0XcPm9vIBk5jB3Xzw7raelgwp9tvadw/w436-h640/xenobrood%206f.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;">THE REVIEW:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And there it is, folks. . .the big ending to the short-lived adventures of the Xenobrood! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The end of Vimana's threat actually came as a big surprise to me. Doug Moench shows that he wasn't entirely phoning it in with a most unusual end for the main villain. Just giving up and killing himself was something I was NOT expecting. It's either one of the laziest final boss battles I've seen in comics, or one of the most brilliant. I don't even know what to think! Thumbs up to Mr. Moench for taking this last issue down a most unexpected path.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Other than that, this final issue was. . .well, it was okay. Not bad, not great. Just like every other issue in the series. Except for the unusual end for the villain, pretty much forgettable. The sort of thing you don't even really remember the next day. . .or maybe even the next hour. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Everything is wrapped up nicely, with the only loose end being the Xenobrood themselves, who are never seen again or even mentioned beyond one single lousy sentence in JLA #4 a few years later in 1997. All's well that ends well? I guess so.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">CONCLUSION</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After reading and reviewing the seven issues of this forgotten attempt by DC to jump on the mutant bandwagon, I think I can sum it up in two words: Wasted Potential.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There WAS potential here. Doug Moench is a good comic writer, and the "Ancient alien/ Annunaki" hook for the team's origin set it apart a little bit. This SHOULD have been better than it was. Doug Moench ALONE should have been the key here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But no. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What we GOT was an utterly forgettable and borderline bad comic series that flopped so hard that it's practically forgotten today. How did this happen? As I said above, in MY humble opinion this series was doomed from the start. . .just like almost anything else written for a specific purpose or to fill a specific pigeonhole. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">DC wanted in on that sweet, SWEET mutant money. So instead of letting Doug Moench write in his usual introspective style, we got a pretty weak attempt at an X-Treme Action comic. Kind reader, if you know anything about Moench's writing, it's pretty plain to see that he's not really an X-Treme Action writer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He's not my favorite comic writer, but he's a modern comic legend. When you think of Doug Moench, you think of Moon Knight. . .Batman. . .Master of Kung Fu. . .brooding, introspective character pieces crafted in a unique style. NOT what we find here in Xenobrood. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A lot of what I'm writing here is just my OWN speculation (because there is amazingly little information to be found on this series), but it seems to me like DC took a good writer with a good idea and interfered enough trying to grab a piece of the mutant comic pie to make it fail.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Consider this. . .A dark series about an archeologist who discovers a shattering secret, hidden for thousands of years. A secret that redefines human history itself. Part of the secret is a group of human-like creatures from another world. . . powerful, but childlike and obedient. Created as slaves and breeders for an alien race, they have the potential to become heroes or to become dangerous. Hunted by a secret government agency, they are forced into hiding while they try to make sense of the world around them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">See that? Now THERE'S a comic I want to read! That's the idea underlying Xenobrood. THAT'S the potential. That's the WASTED potential. This was an idea, a concept, that could have worked on its own instead of trying to cram it into the "X-Book" craze. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Can I recommend Xenobrood? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Honestly, it's not a great series. It was a bit of a grind to make myself finish reviewing these last three issues. Like I said above, there's a LOT of wasted potential here, and what we get is pretty forgettable and right on the edge of bad. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I wouldn't recommend Xenobrood as anything other than a strange and somewhat interesting little relic of the time when Image stomped onto the comic scene and everyone was scrambling to keep up. To ME it's a master class in how to waste the potential of a good writer with a good idea on a blatant cash grab.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Up Next. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Longbox Junk 2024! How about we start off the new year with a little something you can find in just about ANY bargain bin you find yourself digging through? I'm talking about ARAK, SON OF THUNDER!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Be there or be square.</div></div>Atomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07048497340899834399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025939866108320406.post-10414533943542315212024-01-01T00:30:00.000-08:002024-01-01T00:43:32.389-08:00HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM LONGBOX JUNK!<p> Another year gone, another one yet to come! I thank each and every reader of Longbox Junk for taking a bit of their precious time to visit. I know I've been getting off track and somewhat random with the timing of posts, and I resolve to try and swing back the other way at least a little bit in 2024.</p><p>But more importantly, I wish each and every one of you a very happy healthy, peaceful, and prosperous new year in 2024!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjh5JuVez9NkLPC9KZ66vkIVBXvk-dIoGI8ALFqW6zoAkJBm8XYkE600fnrStghAakWOXLdw8RdKfcv9lxVzncbwjixs3I7ne7TtQBazs5w1DTRsyvfJKmBl2xbLi306E9RzkyQgLYYYDDe_xXz5xesS3Xe09JoKprOB5tihA1vtIOWUCPykkSfHHdcU/s400/Marvel-New_Year.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="400" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjh5JuVez9NkLPC9KZ66vkIVBXvk-dIoGI8ALFqW6zoAkJBm8XYkE600fnrStghAakWOXLdw8RdKfcv9lxVzncbwjixs3I7ne7TtQBazs5w1DTRsyvfJKmBl2xbLi306E9RzkyQgLYYYDDe_xXz5xesS3Xe09JoKprOB5tihA1vtIOWUCPykkSfHHdcU/w400-h259/Marvel-New_Year.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">THAT SAID. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now, as I do, I'd like to take a few moments and think a little deeper about the year to come. If you're not the kind to enjoy a "message" then just stick with everything above the picture and consider this your disclaimer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Everyone in that's staying in? Okay, then. Let's do this.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You know it. I know it. EVERYBODY knows it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2024 is gonna be a rough year, and don't let anyone tell you different. It's an election year, and, as usual, a lot of people are acting like the United States is going straight to hell in either a Commie Liberal OR a Fascist Conservative handbasket. It doesn't matter WHO wins the election, nobody's going to be happy about it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But before that even happens, we're going to be treated to a pretty solid year of wall to wall political screeching from every direction. God, I hate election years. They bring out the absolute WORST in people. Politics is ALL that gets talked about. The divisions plaguing our nation just get magnified to the point that one would think we're on the verge of a shooting war, if you watch too much cable news.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now don't get me wrong. I'm not saying politics aren't important. They ARE important. I'm politically involved. If you don't know, I'm an Independent voter leaning conservative. I'm educated on what's going on, and I'm politically active in various causes. But that doesn't mean that I think politics are the ONLY thing. And THAT'S what 2024 is going to try and convince each and every one of you. . .that politics are the ONLY thing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Listen. . .no matter what ANYONE says, politics aren't all there is. They're important, but it's also important to step back and relax sometimes. Take a breath. Look around. Try to find something else for a little bit. Don't let politics consume you. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Whether it's comic books, games, time with the family, or WHATEVER else you like doing, I want you to do it. Don't let politics take over. I know I need a break now and then, and I want you to do the same. It can be hard, with everyone just SO focused on politics, but just do me a favor and take a time out sometimes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You know what you COULD do, right? Longbox Junk is right HERE! Just a suggestion. Take five or ten minutes to read a comic review nobody asked me to write. Even if it's NOT Longbox Junk, do SOMETHING every day for a few minutes to clear your mind a bit and keep the perspective from narrowing until politics is the only thing in view.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But enough of that. I don't want to seem like I'm trying to tell people what to do. I'm just concerned with how politics are becoming a bigger and bigger part of life, and I HAVE seen people who have become consumed by them to the point that they don't even seem like the same people I once knew.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And so, once again I wish all of you a healthy, happy, peaceful, and prosperous 2024!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Up Next?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">LONGBOX JUNK!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Be there or be square.</div>Atomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07048497340899834399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025939866108320406.post-62065578837631129842023-12-25T21:34:00.000-08:002023-12-25T21:34:33.666-08:00MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM LONGBOX JUNK!<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Merry Christmas one and all!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyP0JDqQu_2j1YI5tEFklVzADJkuq-ogd65ZNLynfzpROGc66YDs6snUBHxL6oFXuphw16982MzNNicAxZnbm6iwWIXKpyhEijtpu_70U8CtOt9KypBrc30QXxPhDXV187JHdT1eDymK519Fk6QALFPw7RzN0Lo-8D5qpGwklUIGy1DNhdwRaWUUVVMU4/s400/Christmas-in-Comics-Batman-Brooklyn-Comic-Shop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="400" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyP0JDqQu_2j1YI5tEFklVzADJkuq-ogd65ZNLynfzpROGc66YDs6snUBHxL6oFXuphw16982MzNNicAxZnbm6iwWIXKpyhEijtpu_70U8CtOt9KypBrc30QXxPhDXV187JHdT1eDymK519Fk6QALFPw7RzN0Lo-8D5qpGwklUIGy1DNhdwRaWUUVVMU4/w400-h225/Christmas-in-Comics-Batman-Brooklyn-Comic-Shop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /><br /> I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the readers of Longbox Junk! I appreciate each and every one of you who choose to come into this merry mess of reviews that nobody ever asked for on a regular basis. And for those of you who have somehow accidentally found your way into this little corner of the internet, thank you for coming as well!<div><br /></div><div>There's lots of good stuff still to come, and I hope you'll enjoy taking a little break from whatever life throws at you to come along for the Longbox Junk ride through 2024!</div><div><br />I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and many more to come!<div><br /></div></div></div>Atomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07048497340899834399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025939866108320406.post-38611435679888700372023-12-20T00:11:00.000-08:002023-12-20T00:11:12.598-08:00Longbox Junk isn't going anywhere!<p><span style="font-size: large;"> I've gotten some messages lately from readers a bit concerned about the timing and frequency of Longbox Junk posts lately. Don't worry. . .Longbox Junk isn't going anywhere.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I've just been taking a bit of a casual break at the end of the year. A sort of relax and recharge during the holidays. I'm still writing Longbox Junk. And this isn't even really a break. More of a relaxing slowdown that won't last forever. I'm just about done with the rest of my Xenobrood review AND I have lots of stuff planned for the upcoming year!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for expressing your concern! It shows me that there are some great Longbox Junk readers out there waiting for me to get back up to speed.</span></p>Atomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07048497340899834399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025939866108320406.post-81388108891165103732023-11-30T03:28:00.000-08:002023-11-30T03:29:44.944-08:00Longbox Junk - Xenobrood Part 1 - Issues 0 - 3<div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Soooo. . .</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">I've actually had this review finished for about two weeks. I didn't realize I forgot to post it until I came back to start on the second part tonight and saw it was still in draft! I must be gettin' old!</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Anyway. Better late than never, I guess. Enjoy!</span></b></div><div><br /></div>Welcome to Longbox Junk! If you're looking for comic reviews nobody ever asked for, you're in the right place!<div><br /></div><div>A while back, a buddy of mine who sells comics at the flea market and reads Longbox Junk told me that he had what he considered to be one of the worst comic series ever written RIGHT THERE, and that he would give me the whole run for FREE if I reviewed them one day.</div><div><br /></div><div>Okay. Challenge accepted. He gave me a slim stack of 6 issues. I commented that it was a pretty short series. He told me I'd see why after I read them. And so I took the comics home and promptly forgot about them. . .until this weekend when I was doing some bagging and boarding and came across them again.</div><div><br /></div><div>SO. . .if you're reading this, Jared. . .this one's for you! Sorry I took a little while getting to it.</div><div><br /></div><div>ANYWAY. . .</div><div><br /></div><div>When Image Comics came on the scene in the mid-90s, they caused a seismic shift in the comic world, to say the least. They came right out of the gate targeting Marvel's readers. . .which is to be expected, since most of Image's founders were Marvel defectors. Marvel fought back, and the two companies soon engaged in an extended Ouroboros of a battle that lasted until it basically imploded the comic industry in general.</div><div><br /></div><div>BUT. . .</div><div><br /></div><div>Just because Marvel was Image's MAIN target, that didn't mean it was their ONLY target. </div><div><br /></div><div>DC took some shots from Image as well. The battle between DC and Image wasn't quite as epic as the one between Marvel and Image, but when titles like ShadowHawk and Glory took direct aim at DC's Batman and Wonder Woman readers (and there were a few more, but this introduction is already long enough for more than two examples), DC fought back. . .giving us things like Azrael Batman and Artemis Wonder Woman.</div><div><br /></div><div>But then DC decided to throw something into the ring they never really touched before during their friendly rivalry with Marvel. . .Mutants. DC (and Marvel?) seem to have decided at some point that Mutants were just going to be a Marvel thing. </div><div><br /></div><div>Think about it a moment. Can you think of a DC hero that is a mutant and that they call a mutant? I can't. There might be some, but I can't think of one right now. But in their 90s desperation to hold the line against Image, DC decided it was FINALLY time for some mutants (I'm thinking they might have smelled a little of Marvel's blood in the water as well).</div><div><br /></div><div>And that's how we got Xenobrood! Let's check it out. . .</div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">XENOBROOD - PART ONE</span></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">ISSUES #0 - #3</span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">DC (1994)</span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;">ISSUE ZERO</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEAE5gSiXn6znGMdDND1gwo2td5nHaapp4Z5S10SoyuZQPuCzfenKiuALQioY4XXj2h5hz6uzDhZyNK927FLelVmdgE0Aj9YFgRE8y6zhpYHBH0GXsYyNNRWqUoayx_2lE14QgsGdD_cFBhtms0pln3F4UMj3ptcdmB1n9S5-pW4xUVoGt9fr0iRxDt4/s614/XENOBROOD0COVER.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEAE5gSiXn6znGMdDND1gwo2td5nHaapp4Z5S10SoyuZQPuCzfenKiuALQioY4XXj2h5hz6uzDhZyNK927FLelVmdgE0Aj9YFgRE8y6zhpYHBH0GXsYyNNRWqUoayx_2lE14QgsGdD_cFBhtms0pln3F4UMj3ptcdmB1n9S5-pW4xUVoGt9fr0iRxDt4/w416-h640/XENOBROOD0COVER.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">COVER: Tomm Coker</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">STRANGE BREW</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">SCRIPT: Doug Moench</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">PENCILS: Tomm Coker</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">INKS: Kieth Aiken</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE STORY:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Archaeologist Zecharia Leight makes an astounding discovery in the desert of Kuwait. . .a collection of ancient Sumerian tablets and a mysterious temple dating back to 4000 B.C. It's a discovery that Leight hopes will shed some light on his research into the "missing link" of humanity's sudden and inexplicable rise to civilization. But the most amazing discovery is a strange metal cylinder, a seemingly out of place artifact that would be impossible to manufacture given its great age.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhO74_qx1bzOuhylcX6NKpa44HMoQpSqiMLELkfkFzaY4et2TC5_4m288tA6ckXlpe1zgvMG5e6gySD_lPF2kH4lhvoLzDIJgjJ9FygpeiTtBsf1lnuWC1E7zrZ4aIgaowAt4OjmXe7MTzcERkJlnyFCBcnjW4bg8T_Vay7GAzhaLPs6tCtD2pLUZZ9UI/s1544/xeno0a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1544" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhO74_qx1bzOuhylcX6NKpa44HMoQpSqiMLELkfkFzaY4et2TC5_4m288tA6ckXlpe1zgvMG5e6gySD_lPF2kH4lhvoLzDIJgjJ9FygpeiTtBsf1lnuWC1E7zrZ4aIgaowAt4OjmXe7MTzcERkJlnyFCBcnjW4bg8T_Vay7GAzhaLPs6tCtD2pLUZZ9UI/w424-h640/xeno0a.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After narrowly escaping an attack by mysterious ninjas, Leight is determined to solve the mystery of the cylinder. Unfortunately, despite bringing it for study to several respected scientific institutions such as NASA and STAR Labs, he gets no answers beyond that the alloy could not have possibly come from 4th Century B.C. Sumeria. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8_nGNDjAN5KkMR8Kr6vAp9YjkK260bbm02w0KwKZvHaRe6_jHEr3fboNs2YqMv-jzOHhEIdo8JafHr-bo5pBN9In9Xi9mI73j95xqv31CNE3rsfVdsux7WJZSlyMZane_-y7vVfaNynOH21laTSeo70IghOAxUOCamvR5-xoLYHBEtM1dmmOxvPQHXs/s1562/xeno0b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1562" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8_nGNDjAN5KkMR8Kr6vAp9YjkK260bbm02w0KwKZvHaRe6_jHEr3fboNs2YqMv-jzOHhEIdo8JafHr-bo5pBN9In9Xi9mI73j95xqv31CNE3rsfVdsux7WJZSlyMZane_-y7vVfaNynOH21laTSeo70IghOAxUOCamvR5-xoLYHBEtM1dmmOxvPQHXs/w420-h640/xeno0b.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After accidentally managing to open the cylinder, Leight discovers four crystals inside. He decides to take a chance and reconnect with his ex-girlfriend and colleague, Lorna. . .a brilliant genetic scientist. After showing her the cylinder and the crystals, they agree to work together in her lab. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After many weeks of unsuccessful experiments, they finally discover the solution! A simple mix of saline water and sunlight. The crystals grow into blobs of protoplasm, but soon begin to grow even larger and take on human-like shapes in their saline tanks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAVFLcKjgQW3BBGtOgFWA3vKPNNHLMj45L-_u_ErNF5wNGSeetJ0TAeUXaNnjjPJkS-TgOOBEorIeTzT9D9IlesBVuZsV24k32k-DmtHlt7kqI_SKfy_IHpYjJT6tzEYILuS377iG5FenKC-Cbq-e0NSuHVUme7oDFD-Xh-eraAXYpEektjkRP9e-XmQ/s1556/xeno0c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1556" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAVFLcKjgQW3BBGtOgFWA3vKPNNHLMj45L-_u_ErNF5wNGSeetJ0TAeUXaNnjjPJkS-TgOOBEorIeTzT9D9IlesBVuZsV24k32k-DmtHlt7kqI_SKfy_IHpYjJT6tzEYILuS377iG5FenKC-Cbq-e0NSuHVUme7oDFD-Xh-eraAXYpEektjkRP9e-XmQ/w422-h640/xeno0c.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As the growth of the crystals progresses, Leight receives news of the translation of the ancient tablets discovered in Kuwait. They seem to tell an incredible story of an advanced civilization visiting Earth in the distant past. . .but the connection between the tablets and the strange crystals remains unclear.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As Leight and Lorna discuss the implications of the tablets and the crystals, the lab is attacked by the same sort of mysterious ninjas that attacked Leight earlier! The two scientists are outnumbered and heavily outmatched, fearing for their lives, they try to run.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But as their escape is blocked, they are rescued by a most unlikely group of strangely-costumed people with amazing powers! After the ninja are defeated by the mysterious group, they address Leight and tell the stunned scientist that they are his to command!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjPkaDHESJ6WQCW7gv_8B3-78RlT_ycT1C5MXogttuJg5IdSD0dotqKq-aX2Pne_LkMWS3rnsSDKLPQwzoRPtOpa5k4YZF1ur1BJucVt3vp8DaYd1aYIp6Ssw0M2rQkXZG5Peiey8bKVQTC31oHpLrB-0FTlVPCzleuNm_k7Wt1fSHkNdglp2on5d6fg/s1562/xeno0d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1562" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjPkaDHESJ6WQCW7gv_8B3-78RlT_ycT1C5MXogttuJg5IdSD0dotqKq-aX2Pne_LkMWS3rnsSDKLPQwzoRPtOpa5k4YZF1ur1BJucVt3vp8DaYd1aYIp6Ssw0M2rQkXZG5Peiey8bKVQTC31oHpLrB-0FTlVPCzleuNm_k7Wt1fSHkNdglp2on5d6fg/w420-h640/xeno0d.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">TO BE CONTINUED. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE REVIEW:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Okay. . .not bad. Unfortunately, not really that great, either. This one rides a very shaky track right down the middle line of the road. It's pretty clear that Moench was taking a lot of inspiration from the "ancient astronaut" theory, and specifically from the work of Zecharia Sitchin (who gives Doctor Leight his first name, and Sitchin is also mentioned in upcoming issues) and his theories about the extraterrestrial nature of the ancient Sumerian gods known as the Anunnaki. I won't dive into that rabbit hole here with three more issues to review, but it IS an interesting twist on your standard "X" team origin story.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Unfortunately, the execution of the idea is a bit lacking. Moench is a modern comic legend in his own right, but this is definitely NOT his best work. This seems less like a good superhero origin story and more of a vehicle to present the Anunnaki/Alien theory as a basic sketch in comic book form aimed at readers unaware of the theory. It's really not up to Moench's usual writing standard.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the art side of things. . .well, you can definitely tell this comic was made in the 90s during the Image incursion into the comic industry. The art isn't BAD, it's just very 90s. It tells the story just fine, but you can tell that Coker would really rather be drawing sexy women than anything. The females in this issue definitely have more attention paid to them by the artist than anything else.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So let's see what happens next!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">ISSUE ONE</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNdm_3NLR7L7y-X7z5uqnZTDZtR5f2eCNQ6tXQP8LGtRj7m-9220nQjLt3qeKCGZjRaiOebFF1bsa3WXpBBUD4mcV8wxyCwk_3_gLofXh_G-xKGR-v2NqMCrlmgKXCunkhN6dO8ytmJuRsTECEWztBSvP_ONOxBfFm5ar2-GOxyKnRjqnbxumesvTIUk/s601/XENOBROOD1COVER.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNdm_3NLR7L7y-X7z5uqnZTDZtR5f2eCNQ6tXQP8LGtRj7m-9220nQjLt3qeKCGZjRaiOebFF1bsa3WXpBBUD4mcV8wxyCwk_3_gLofXh_G-xKGR-v2NqMCrlmgKXCunkhN6dO8ytmJuRsTECEWztBSvP_ONOxBfFm5ar2-GOxyKnRjqnbxumesvTIUk/w426-h640/XENOBROOD1COVER.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">COVER: Tomm Coker</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">MAKING ASHES</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;">SCRIPT: Doug Moench</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;">PENCILS: Tomm Coker</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;">INKS: Kieth Aiken & Dennis Cramer</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;">THE STORY:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Picking up directly from the end of issue 0, Professor Leight and Lorna find themselves with four strange beings who insist that Leight is their "processor" and is therefore their master and commander. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The first task at hand is naming his new "genies", as Leight calls them. In doing so, we get a nice little bit of exposition demonstrating each of their powers as they are given a name to match. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Astra: A female being who is able to astrally travel into the bodies of others to control them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Blip: Another female that is able to teleport (or "blip") objects that she can see.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thrasher: A huge male with superhuman strength.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Zapatak: A male who is the group's (sort of) leader. Able to project radiation in blasts or focused beams.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-mozqTju4HHurWgNyE3WYZ_PB61ZwhUQKGE30z0ughRIqwF9J0aTiJYp_aXTtmX8_I5vZRB6sJDxnc5UuDQgWmGkVfDHMMjYzGP34-rtCQ2bI1W8VqGBTen1StMltrYkkw4k-ES43NrWB0efO7d9uGv7YxPK6o14zqOrKIyeRwgIgBKHkVNszpZjGY4/s1526/xeno1a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1526" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-mozqTju4HHurWgNyE3WYZ_PB61ZwhUQKGE30z0ughRIqwF9J0aTiJYp_aXTtmX8_I5vZRB6sJDxnc5UuDQgWmGkVfDHMMjYzGP34-rtCQ2bI1W8VqGBTen1StMltrYkkw4k-ES43NrWB0efO7d9uGv7YxPK6o14zqOrKIyeRwgIgBKHkVNszpZjGY4/w430-h640/xeno1a.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After giving the group what has to be some of the WORST goddamn names (Zapatak? Really? Come on, Doug Moench. . .you're better than this!) a bit of time passes. Leight and Lorna decide that they need a bit more room for six people than her laboratory and so Leight buys a "fixer upper" in the worst part of town.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The building turns out to be less of a fixer upper and more of a literal crack house. The two scientists and their new mutant "genies" are forced to fight a street gang and a bunch of addicts in order to be able to move in. . .not realizing that they are still being watched by the mysterious ninjas from the previous issue.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeFDVF0sT03XkiFHfFyFnCCRnhIlHDZSpATAkPk9KuIL47y8QLXVIk90yVVxDFxeMfNair7z0BGgQaYEz4dtfUNegYasJnjp-vFYgSE2bP9Rj43UNkXBuxpTn5TXljwitK2cLd1BznYcyJoFc5YH5fUVCqomV5e8crWaTw0j_Wt012DGtL3ozl48384A/s1522/xeno1b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1522" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeFDVF0sT03XkiFHfFyFnCCRnhIlHDZSpATAkPk9KuIL47y8QLXVIk90yVVxDFxeMfNair7z0BGgQaYEz4dtfUNegYasJnjp-vFYgSE2bP9Rj43UNkXBuxpTn5TXljwitK2cLd1BznYcyJoFc5YH5fUVCqomV5e8crWaTw0j_Wt012DGtL3ozl48384A/w430-h640/xeno1b.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After throwing out the gang and addicts, the team. . .now called "The Xenobrood", due to Leight presuming they are aliens who have been bred for some specific purpose (but really because Xeno has an X in it. . .for that sweet, sweet "X-Book" money), fix up the building and the Xenobrood begin assimilating human knowledge and trying to figure out their purpose for existing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Leight and Lorna take the Xenobrood out in public, trying to acclimate them, but when they return from a pizza party, their building is aflame! A fire set by the enraged street gang engulfs their new home, and Leight realizes that there are still a few homeless living on the roof they hadn't cleared out yet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He commands the Xenobrood to save their lives, and in doing so, they appear using their powers for the first time in public.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Hx0V-9bcLPQu-QKHJnjyvOfxmHotym0yghyphenhyphenKHFaQ3Gdx_rekwjR2D2A2FlQ8j15iNSMnT_GmY7xFWsVgfSuGfT4hmB19-UkZYuZ4L8n5LzeZWv7UJqQNhcesD0xk8Nl5AFOmnCiOW0h-FKvxptzG45u6uIFDtjeHqhkTHAgvcI1t4GY8yfr1BIhG9tY/s1497/xeno1c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1497" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Hx0V-9bcLPQu-QKHJnjyvOfxmHotym0yghyphenhyphenKHFaQ3Gdx_rekwjR2D2A2FlQ8j15iNSMnT_GmY7xFWsVgfSuGfT4hmB19-UkZYuZ4L8n5LzeZWv7UJqQNhcesD0xk8Nl5AFOmnCiOW0h-FKvxptzG45u6uIFDtjeHqhkTHAgvcI1t4GY8yfr1BIhG9tY/w438-h640/xeno1c.jpg" width="438" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As the Xenobrood go into action, they are being watched by the mysterious ninjas. As they report the team's activities, we are finally introduced to their previously-unknown master. . .a three-eyed being who proclaims that the Xenobrood belong to him, and with their powers, he will at long last be able to come out of hiding and rule the Earth! DUN-DUN-DUNNNNN!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgShhH3j9lmPYy5jsJqJTk5YaaVc85g7-ElVvh5E9ZyXT9JMmz-DKoIppdlzug1roTSde7o3GGOaWiHH-vb7RW4poZJu0MXZGO6xq5RhhFCUiLWYhj2VkjYb_PD7GQ7V_UbmsZC_5GVaawQ_P_lnKnc1py_c1HP8QQ4oXrybDP9S9hK0CkEwO0m1F6SI/s1539/xeno1d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1539" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgShhH3j9lmPYy5jsJqJTk5YaaVc85g7-ElVvh5E9ZyXT9JMmz-DKoIppdlzug1roTSde7o3GGOaWiHH-vb7RW4poZJu0MXZGO6xq5RhhFCUiLWYhj2VkjYb_PD7GQ7V_UbmsZC_5GVaawQ_P_lnKnc1py_c1HP8QQ4oXrybDP9S9hK0CkEwO0m1F6SI/w426-h640/xeno1d.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To be continued. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;">THE REVIEW:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Okay. . .now I'm beginning to see why my buddy Jared considers this a bad series. Starting right off with the cover (which I have to admit IS nicely done) and moving along to the awful names. . .Astra, Blip, Thrasher and *sigh* Zapatak. . .and the unimaginative powers. . .energy beams? Super strength? This could be EASILY mistaken for any Image team comic of the time, which, to be fair, seems like DC's purpose here anyway. But coming out of the gate as a blatant copycat is NOT a good look. . .especially with the benefit of hindsight.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The one thing that sort of gave Issue 0 an interesting twist. . .the ancient astronaut/Annunaki angle, is almost completely missing here. This gives the issue even MORE of a cheap copycat feel and it's just weird to me that Doug Moench was the writer here. His work is usually darker and more introspective. Moench may not be my favorite comic writer, but credit where it's due, he at least puts his own unique stamp on things. Here, that unique feel of Moench's writing that he brought to characters like Moon Knight and Batman is just not there. The story feels generic. Doug Moench is usually anything BUT generic.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On the art side of things, it's still 90s-Tastic to the Xtreme, but I DO see an improvement over the 0 issue. The females definitely still get most of the attention, but there are actually a few other standout moments, to the point that the art in this issue stands slightly above Moench's uninspired storytelling. But when I say "above", I mean maybe a single notch. The art may have improved a bit, but it's still firmly rooted in the prevalent art style that makes most 90s comics instantly recognizable as products of that decade.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">NEXT!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">ISSUE TWO</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiySWvdT-xdkTq3NQ3jaUepkjjYH1i84TZrn4o44nngWTgMOK6zvLWMc1YMIBFwhQ_HtAdgOI_ulCJkXqzq_8zR_DRq3OuD8IGqnd5J1eQsxzMxhLUI-kB0jxFhtDiNUJEIWnnkcl6tAkEZ3zJi5GXkLxjILI3pHbRMFxs49MZAXqnShh-piJIbz8Gb1d0/s613/XENOBROOD2COVER.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiySWvdT-xdkTq3NQ3jaUepkjjYH1i84TZrn4o44nngWTgMOK6zvLWMc1YMIBFwhQ_HtAdgOI_ulCJkXqzq_8zR_DRq3OuD8IGqnd5J1eQsxzMxhLUI-kB0jxFhtDiNUJEIWnnkcl6tAkEZ3zJi5GXkLxjILI3pHbRMFxs49MZAXqnShh-piJIbz8Gb1d0/w418-h640/XENOBROOD2COVER.jpg" width="418" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">COVER: Tomm Coker</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">MASKS OF MYTH</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;">SCRIPT: Doug Moench</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;">PENCILS: Tomm Coker</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;">INKS: Kieth Aiken & Dennis Cramer</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;">THE STORY:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After the destruction of their new base, Doctor Leight, Lorna, and the Xenobrood are hounded by the press. They head back to Lorna's laboratory and try to hide from the unwanted attention while they plan their next move. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">While the rest of them discuss plans for the future, Blip visits a gang member she teleported who is in the hospital. Learning that her powers have caused unnecessary suffering to him, she decides not to use her teleport powers on living beings.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZR7psyPOAd8CZw4C6fWuJTN1-eunvShE9xEM-Whhp4yw1PHMt_sM6EGBozqpFOyYM1-4nPGRb6Hi2_aVzRuM4UTVyiA9VR_5zn93icUELH4WUqxIbAsLPrywaJSmv9v6Wk8sWS1GViSYy2mDiQ_gEMV4vqixHz4zHFL6bOSaf43aaQ8_q5S7MfXWghRQ/s1551/xeno2a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1551" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZR7psyPOAd8CZw4C6fWuJTN1-eunvShE9xEM-Whhp4yw1PHMt_sM6EGBozqpFOyYM1-4nPGRb6Hi2_aVzRuM4UTVyiA9VR_5zn93icUELH4WUqxIbAsLPrywaJSmv9v6Wk8sWS1GViSYy2mDiQ_gEMV4vqixHz4zHFL6bOSaf43aaQ8_q5S7MfXWghRQ/w422-h640/xeno2a.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">IN THE MEANTIME. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Deep under the ocean, in a hidden base, we learn that the mysterious three-eyed man at the end of last issue is called Lord Vimana. He is disappointed in the abilities of his ninja warriors and decides to unleash ancient creatures long held in reserve to bring the Xenobrood to him. . .the true faces behind the legends of Minotaur, Khali, Gargoyle, and Medusa.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOREsvwBPkbsYwsxn__yuQBVK4Thp_medI1peTwIP8_EQeRp5XXS9hTiLI4XXwnJcJPwBUK977h3SN9wZpanQJIVlOdmJTwDdo-UXEOX7g1M3APUYH6o1Gal5SLCzCkZJjseIJmxgfy1il8NAvAb3M7Gqhb9ENluCrkItQSkHGLK9yWlCYFV4h4c4Q4vE/s1501/xeno2b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1501" data-original-width="1008" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOREsvwBPkbsYwsxn__yuQBVK4Thp_medI1peTwIP8_EQeRp5XXS9hTiLI4XXwnJcJPwBUK977h3SN9wZpanQJIVlOdmJTwDdo-UXEOX7g1M3APUYH6o1Gal5SLCzCkZJjseIJmxgfy1il8NAvAb3M7Gqhb9ENluCrkItQSkHGLK9yWlCYFV4h4c4Q4vE/w430-h640/xeno2b.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">BACK WITH THE XENOBROOD. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Blip returns to the group and they continue their discussion of what to do next. Doctor Leight is determined that they should use their powers for good, to try and help with some of society's ignored problems. Their discussion is interrupted by a helicopter carrying ANOTHER group of mysterious black-clad attackers. . .different from the ninjas. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Xenobrood manage to defeat these new, unknown enemies (who claim to be Federal Agents) and escape, using Astra's ability to take over living beings to steal first the helicopter, and then a jumbo jet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Xenobrood have decided that before they can do the world any good, they have to investigate their mysterious origin, and are therefore headed to Kuwait, where Dr. Leight discovered the metallic cylinder that held the crystals they grew from.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBE5T3tyQ_Af4Q3TZDuEYKsX0Y6bRvIBdfV9-MQmhAnbW2UnadqsO6mSqN3Ux91PyeKIfK9oJBiMUNqxbJLpxZ_RBDKyF0RgFr8snS3d-gQFZo4_mO0e9D61ypPF7kQcYBzpa7qEQtmzI7Spi6t5RkzGtINUvSANwolZNcVVM9Zxu89KuVY246z6fNDE/s1542/xeno2c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1542" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBE5T3tyQ_Af4Q3TZDuEYKsX0Y6bRvIBdfV9-MQmhAnbW2UnadqsO6mSqN3Ux91PyeKIfK9oJBiMUNqxbJLpxZ_RBDKyF0RgFr8snS3d-gQFZo4_mO0e9D61ypPF7kQcYBzpa7qEQtmzI7Spi6t5RkzGtINUvSANwolZNcVVM9Zxu89KuVY246z6fNDE/w426-h640/xeno2c.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In Kuwait, Leight, Lorna, and the Xenobrood are met by Doctor Jameson, a colleague of Dr. Leight who has taken over the dig site where the Xenobrood crystals were discovered. He has astounding news for Leight. . .they have continued to translate the ancient Sumerian writings and have discovered tales of otherworldly beings engaging in massive battles with flying machines. But more than that, they have ALSO discovered the entrance to the hidden structure below where the strange metal cylinder was found!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While Leight and Jameson discuss the implications of the Xenobrood being able to prove that what was previously thought to be myth as reality, the dig site is suddenly attacked! The four creatures sent by Lord Vimana have tracked the Xenobrood. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> They demand the Xenobrood return with them to their rightful master. The Xenobrood refuse, acknowledging only Doctor Leight as their "Processor". An epic battle ensues! As Vimana's creatures and the Xenobrood fight, Leight, Lorna, and Jameson flee.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1G3mZ0bg892BH0a0VANdKTiN8Pi_XYyJ-qh1pOm0ptaPO6nnkIJyjmqCv_o5jzO_PysmLNuAkcfdUatU63EfAKi4IehyCjvMWzTWwZJuildtgIoFeMeLrK-4AiJhpT8c2BF-qUy1r3YIEv8viCQnDburao6VtXIBpNi3YguNOG4KhUKm4xAHsdcfnUMo/s1534/xeno2dd.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1534" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1G3mZ0bg892BH0a0VANdKTiN8Pi_XYyJ-qh1pOm0ptaPO6nnkIJyjmqCv_o5jzO_PysmLNuAkcfdUatU63EfAKi4IehyCjvMWzTWwZJuildtgIoFeMeLrK-4AiJhpT8c2BF-qUy1r3YIEv8viCQnDburao6VtXIBpNi3YguNOG4KhUKm4xAHsdcfnUMo/w428-h640/xeno2dd.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The humans fall through the dig site and into an undiscovered portion of the ancient temple. . .finding themselves surrounded by mysterious high-tech devices that shouldn't have existed so long ago!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjgmIxvhlI7xT89VSne9GLmc5DKzF2IypNQRjIeT-XQsRrI6Da_Mw6dbk3vbr1wDOym6Hmu00wPGmvqD_X12f8i6-l6CYxC0z_YEN5r6i8PqYFSatN2nAUSzZAI2THBuELQIDyr2W66HHEZKUHSMnQ7MJ8xspdnqdXbwFBhqZRtp-4XIPxHSiZdE_i8s/s1501/xeno2d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1501" data-original-width="992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjgmIxvhlI7xT89VSne9GLmc5DKzF2IypNQRjIeT-XQsRrI6Da_Mw6dbk3vbr1wDOym6Hmu00wPGmvqD_X12f8i6-l6CYxC0z_YEN5r6i8PqYFSatN2nAUSzZAI2THBuELQIDyr2W66HHEZKUHSMnQ7MJ8xspdnqdXbwFBhqZRtp-4XIPxHSiZdE_i8s/w422-h640/xeno2d.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To Be Continued. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;">THE REVIEW:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">One would THINK that in a comic based in the mainstream DC Universe (Superman even guest stars in the next two issues) that new superheroes, and even aliens wouldn't be such a big deal. But I guess Moench wanted to dig into that old X-Men persecution. It just feels a little forced as a motivation to get the Xenobrood on the run. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On the other hand, there's a bit of a return to about the only thing that sets this series apart, the Ancient Astronauts/Annunaki angle. To be fair, there's not much of it . . .the issue is more of a series of running battles to escape press attention, the Federal Government, and Lord Vimana. . .but the little taste we do get is a nice bit of flavor.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But even with that, this is clearly not Doug Moench's best work. Three issues in and it's painfully obvious that Moench isn't really suited for writing a mainstream Image-style team knockoff. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On the art side of things, Tomm Coker's art has shown slight, but steady improvement over the course of the three issues at hand. It's sort of a shame that this is his last issue on this series. I'm not sure why he departed Xenobrood, but it would have been interesting to see how much more he could have improved along the way. That's not to say the art is GREAT. . .it's definitely a product of the 90s in every good AND bad way that implies. But I did like to see the steady progression in style going on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">NEXT!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">ISSUE THREE</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX97xZ6EODKvNNfQ73mR3M9bAQ4IJo6MolOH6nfon0uCgRuxx4qdajMU2xMIIuFHOL320kSvh2vDmjo0lpxRFJzsW4U8ASpyIrtuC7KkjSlmo5xy8U47gBdZLFvH-MnhlyzoxCCzE6lopwCvCMbNZ9-YSa4nsAFflQX8YVAoX-ScPqjGygwcMA5k-MImk/s606/XENOBROOD3COVER.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX97xZ6EODKvNNfQ73mR3M9bAQ4IJo6MolOH6nfon0uCgRuxx4qdajMU2xMIIuFHOL320kSvh2vDmjo0lpxRFJzsW4U8ASpyIrtuC7KkjSlmo5xy8U47gBdZLFvH-MnhlyzoxCCzE6lopwCvCMbNZ9-YSa4nsAFflQX8YVAoX-ScPqjGygwcMA5k-MImk/w422-h640/XENOBROOD3COVER.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">COVER: Chris Hunter</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">THE VIMANIAN BESTIARY</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;">SCRIPT: Doug Moench</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;">PENCILS: Chris Hunter</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;">INKS: John Lowe</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;">THE STORY:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After a brief recap of the previous issues, we join the Xenobrood as they battle Lord Vimana's monstrous servants amidst the ruins of an ancient Sumerian temple. Below the ruins, in a previously undiscovered chamber, are the humans the Xenobrood are protecting. . .Dr. Leight, Lorna, and another scientist named Jameson.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHWKNiqpCytAe976Py7p8XXFSGlNNA_vcfTYj3fcWkZyhj2wOFwdivNGRH-utaF5mqZuRSyGqrsO_pLLMuenVewYOh6Q1SGc_L1f0kUWQ0fVxj_1BTmc_z33rNoJOOelHe_sB1pKPqDFrMh7X7bcBs1lTcWVG6N4yFJZn9lz7vpaBQnLUIBxmxch2IbY/s1553/xeno3a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1553" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHWKNiqpCytAe976Py7p8XXFSGlNNA_vcfTYj3fcWkZyhj2wOFwdivNGRH-utaF5mqZuRSyGqrsO_pLLMuenVewYOh6Q1SGc_L1f0kUWQ0fVxj_1BTmc_z33rNoJOOelHe_sB1pKPqDFrMh7X7bcBs1lTcWVG6N4yFJZn9lz7vpaBQnLUIBxmxch2IbY/w422-h640/xeno3a.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After Vimana's creatures are driven off, the Xenobrood join the humans as they investigate the strange, technologically advanced ruins beneath the temple. They discover twisted alien form inside shattered glass tubes, as well as a cache of dozens of crystals exactly like the ones the Xenobrood were grown from!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxC49vyeC2pfdPXP741_qQ-DwMpjSjnywYz9LPHXWpBYId0s49YIWTmigntuNx5dO5tN-2NMayB6W_quKemIvSvY-ra1l6jX_3PAXgxyTCiyWWjblMNrEatFOUDJPy4mnahBFsypGr2l2AMp-k51LdI32D7JH_0LIVv-i5Kk_wyPLlbjjUSGqFAJaItQ/s1557/xeno3b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1557" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxC49vyeC2pfdPXP741_qQ-DwMpjSjnywYz9LPHXWpBYId0s49YIWTmigntuNx5dO5tN-2NMayB6W_quKemIvSvY-ra1l6jX_3PAXgxyTCiyWWjblMNrEatFOUDJPy4mnahBFsypGr2l2AMp-k51LdI32D7JH_0LIVv-i5Kk_wyPLlbjjUSGqFAJaItQ/w420-h640/xeno3b.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>The group returns to the surface and Jameson continues to tell them what he's translated from the ancient texts discovered along with the temple. . .fantastic tales of beings engaging in battle from flying machines, beings that came to Earth to plunder the resources to be found. . .beings that brought their slave labor with them in the form of crystals! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Xenobrood quickly realize that they weren't the advanced beings, as they HAD thought previously, but their slaves. . .with their powers enabling them to carry out various duties involved with mining and processing ores. Worse, Jameson's translations ALSO reveal that the slave DNA was mixed with primitive humans in order to jump their evolution process forward several million years, in order to make them better slaves to their alien overlords!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzflAcuE7RYznMGMsQ5q78DAFmU-txRuUFyZHm7Gw4L0iq5y9z3zfDS0Tnqy_PP0yo8F7GHt63LvxxsQMXxxbjAjsrovGCqSXDJkNTd2MmjtXbEAiRo4ZPHOioQ_viCUn5LhPMKL-HOfSmnYmyx4upuY1BHZN3sBrdl76_5FjFcuB1vbYULDcrADp5S0/s1550/xeno3c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1550" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzflAcuE7RYznMGMsQ5q78DAFmU-txRuUFyZHm7Gw4L0iq5y9z3zfDS0Tnqy_PP0yo8F7GHt63LvxxsQMXxxbjAjsrovGCqSXDJkNTd2MmjtXbEAiRo4ZPHOioQ_viCUn5LhPMKL-HOfSmnYmyx4upuY1BHZN3sBrdl76_5FjFcuB1vbYULDcrADp5S0/w422-h640/xeno3c.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As the group ponders the history-changing implications that every human on Earth may be the product of genetic tampering by an ancient alien race, they don't realize that some of Vimana's ninja servants have remained behind and have been searching the ruins. They find the crystals and retrieve them, bringing them to their master, who is pleased that he no longer needs to try and capture the Xenobrood.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The dig site once again comes under attack! This time by the Iraqi military. The scientists and Xenobrood scramble for cover under the heavy bombardment. They rush back into the hidden ruins.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Iraqi artillery begins to collapse the ruins on the group as they seek shelter within them. A blast separates the humans and the Xenobrood. As they try to dig the humans back out, the Xenobrood are attacked again. . .this time by a strange being dressed in blue and shooting heat beams from his eyes!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As the Xenobrood battle the new threat, Dr. Leight manages to dig his way free. . .and is startled to see the Xenobrood are fighting SUPERMAN! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLwqD42I11VP9R1gQQmEnmXXOPV5SdpGNkM67cBv3YvGtYZ-xPM6dg5S_dU3mdxPvOpY8Fgim0o37-hECXbROTK_I8n8oHsoV-kYePrm4CbiJmXkWG1Qc_S50QDOIKXG99fxY3UX-0Zjnw4iaHN8Upw-OcLnwMlP-wyCfJOk8FPKlndtkofh_t_UMoTXc/s1558/xeno3d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1558" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLwqD42I11VP9R1gQQmEnmXXOPV5SdpGNkM67cBv3YvGtYZ-xPM6dg5S_dU3mdxPvOpY8Fgim0o37-hECXbROTK_I8n8oHsoV-kYePrm4CbiJmXkWG1Qc_S50QDOIKXG99fxY3UX-0Zjnw4iaHN8Upw-OcLnwMlP-wyCfJOk8FPKlndtkofh_t_UMoTXc/w420-h640/xeno3d.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To be continued. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;">THE REVIEW:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And it's. . .CROSSOVER TIME! It's never a great sign for a comic series when they have to pull out a fan favorite character to make an appearance this early in the run to prop up sales. It's an even worse sign when they start making creative team changes this soon, which is exactly what happens with a new artist and inker swapping in starting with this issue. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">You can definitely see the writing on the wall for Xenobrood as an ongoing series. Doug Moench scrambles as he tries to swerve the story back to the ancient aliens/ Annunaki twist that was really the only thing making this series stand out in the first place, so we get a hefty dose of it here. . .but he ALSO needs to cram in a sales-bumping Superman appearance as well. The two things don't really mix well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Pounding another nail in the coffin is the new art team. Tomm Coker might not have been the BEST 90s artist I've seen, but at least his art had some personality and quirkiness to it, and it was also showing an interesting (if slow) progression through his three issues. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Chris Hunter's art is much more straightforward. . .with a lack of backgrounds and fine detail, and heavily inked by John Lowe to the point that it gives the issue an almost cartoonish feel. Don't get me wrong. . .the art isn't BAD. It just looks like something more like you'd expect in a filler issue. . .which is what Chris Hunter went on to do after this series, a few filler issues before getting out of comics entirely to start his own studio doing storyboards for movies and graphic design. And you can sort of tell his heart wasn't really in it here.</div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">CONCLUSION</span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There is VERY little information to be found on this series. It's not even mentioned on Tomm Coker's Wiki page. A couple of sketchy reviews of the 0 issue. A bit of nuts and bolts description and creator credits on comic archive sites, but that's it. The characters were never seen or mentioned again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But I can see that there was some fairly high concept thought put into this by Doug Moench, and there was some decent work put into it by original artist Tomm Coker. What little information I CAN find on Xenobrood seems to indicate that it was supposed to be an ongoing series that was shortened down to a mini-series when it landed with a resounding sales thud.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Doug Moench isn't my FAVORITE comic writer, but he's definitely got some industry swagger gained from working on characters like Moon Knight and Batman. One would THINK that if anyone could pull off a superhero team book wrapped in ancient alien astronaut theory, it would be Moench.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So WHY is this series a practically-forgotten footnote?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Like I said, there's not much information to be found, so I can only speculate. I'm thinking that the failure of this series lies in the purpose for which it was created. . .to try and compete with 90s Image. An uphill battle for ANY series at the time. . .even worse of a battle for DC, which was sort of on the edge of the epic fight for sales going on between Marvel and Image. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">DC brought in a solid writer with some good fan credit under his belt, but it wasn't enough. 90s Image was a powerhouse! From the looks of it, this series was swatted out of the collective comic fanbase so hard and fast that it's been pretty much forgotten that it ever even existed! DC had a little better success giving their established characters like Guy Gardner, Wonder Woman, and Batman the "Xtreme" treatment, but their very short-lived attempt at an "X" team book? Nope. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So where does that leave the series itself. Sure it's a failed and forgotten experiment, but is it any good?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Wellll. . .it's okay, I guess. It DOES have an interesting story hook in the ancient astronaut theory, and it's definitely worth a look as a sort of 90s time capsule and example of how hard DC and Marvel were scrambling to keep up with Image at the time. But other than that? It's a pretty typical "X" team book, and not even close to the best example of such.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm not sure it's one of the worst comic series ever, like my friend pitched it to me as. . .but it surely ain't something to brag about, either. It's just sort of okay. Not really good, not really bad. Just okay.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But maybe it will get better?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There's still three more issues left, and I ain't a quitter, son!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">UP NEXT. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Let's finish this thing! Xenobrood Part 2: Issues 4-6. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Be there or be square!</div>Atomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07048497340899834399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025939866108320406.post-67603483517578449862023-10-31T00:12:00.014-07:002023-10-31T00:41:51.490-07:00Longbox Junk Halloween 2023 Part 15 - Vault of Horror #36 (1954)Welcome to Longbox Junk, where you can get all the comic reviews you want for FREE, and that comes with a 100% money back guarantee!<div><br /></div><div>We're up to PART FIFTEEN of our 2023 Longbox Junk Halloween Horror Marathon and it's time to wrap things up! Unfortunately, I got pushed off my great pace this year due to some work stuff, so I didn't get quite as many entries in as I planned on, but it was still a mighty fine party if I do say so myself. . .and I DO.</div><div><br /></div><div>This time out, I have a bit of a special treat for you. I've taken a little dig into the definitely NOT junk part of my collection for some GOLDEN Age comic horror. And not just ANY old Golden Age comic horror, but a comic from the Big Daddy of Golden Age horror comics, EC! That's right. . .the company that unwillingly helped usher in the Comics Code.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pre-Code horror comics are highly sought after books in just about ANY collection. I got this comic as part of an auction lot about 3 years ago. No, not an online auction. THAT'S weak comic hunting. I'm talking about sitting in a room with a bunch of people bidding on stuff. Now that's some Longbox Junkin'! It was in a box of comics I paid the princely sum of $125 for.</div><div><br /></div><div>Truthfully, I'm a little excited to get into this one, because as far as I can tell, this will be the FIRST review ever done of this particular issue. </div><div><br /></div><div>My bet is that it will probably also be the ONLY review ever done, because most SANE comic collectors will slab this one up and NOT carry it just bagged and boarded in a manilla envelope to work to scan pages out of it. I mean, I GUESS I could have just used my Vault of Horror hardcover set (which has a reprint of this issue), but then you don't get to see the STANK of almost 70 years on those old yellow pages. It just ain't the same.</div><div><br /></div><div>Enough introduction! Let's set the dial on the Longbox Junk time machine for 1954 and take a look inside, shall we? Ready? Let's GOOOOOOOOOOO!</div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">VAULT OF HORROR #36</span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">EC (1954)</span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdqI1NU6kTfnqokuediCzxl1gpk1R9gjwpxZEBzuDgCoEEMFXsGMDs5xiJxYlqn6Yx8CGPOp-SuXnXvzMiNo0sa-8XYX9ksLgHdYoLW5NUd9iERceAT8du_u8oPbRm2WV4Dwm2pWVSQ_mM6idGeRfGb8klwNucYrpMDytwAQ_PGf4eSpCMOAbMiUZ_s4/s1489/voh36covre.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1489" data-original-width="1042" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdqI1NU6kTfnqokuediCzxl1gpk1R9gjwpxZEBzuDgCoEEMFXsGMDs5xiJxYlqn6Yx8CGPOp-SuXnXvzMiNo0sa-8XYX9ksLgHdYoLW5NUd9iERceAT8du_u8oPbRm2WV4Dwm2pWVSQ_mM6idGeRfGb8klwNucYrpMDytwAQ_PGf4eSpCMOAbMiUZ_s4/w448-h640/voh36covre.jpg" width="448" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">COVER: Johnny Craig</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE COVER:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are more famous and controversial EC horror comic covers, but I really like this one! Golden Age master artist Johnny Craig tells a story I want to know more about in one single image! The bright fire and bold title against the stark black background REALLY catches the eye, especially with the larger Golden Age cover size. It's not a particularly great HALLOWEEN cover, but the simplicity of it just grabs me. Like I said, not the most famous EC horror comic cover, but I find it very compelling. Let's get inside!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE STORIES:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">FOUR comic stories and a text piece in 36 pages! Damn, but they had it good in the Golden Age when it came to comics. I have a fair handful of Golden Age goodies and they're ALL absolutely stuffed full of content from end to end. So this review may get a little long. Fair warning. LET'S GO!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">TWIN BILL!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">SCRIPT: Johnny Craig</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">PENCILS: Johnny Craig</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">INKS: Johnny Craig</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE STORY:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We meet Larry Bannister as he hides in a dark room, nervously clutching a pistol, waiting on someone. But who is this man? Why is he here? We flash back two weeks to find out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Larry Bannister is a man with an unfaithful wife. He follows her to an isolated lodge and catches her in the act with her lover. At gunpoint, Larry forces the two of them into the woods, gives them shovels, and demands they start digging!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibL_qxxafN5b-haAy03SuNqS_ZzH-YBpby_Hrad3kUFRhhIG6FDweGK0VjDZo6YJQ9G8sfmEYvOe-JlnqM3tLt9kFDDrK-inuyFeTVtxeImAiywkZ1r6-G_2sxFuglleNS_nlPLdhbwf1_LxiYTMP9C74oFiDRplOl1GNIkE3Qby-3HDFsUefe-6y3Ij8/s1510/voh1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibL_qxxafN5b-haAy03SuNqS_ZzH-YBpby_Hrad3kUFRhhIG6FDweGK0VjDZo6YJQ9G8sfmEYvOe-JlnqM3tLt9kFDDrK-inuyFeTVtxeImAiywkZ1r6-G_2sxFuglleNS_nlPLdhbwf1_LxiYTMP9C74oFiDRplOl1GNIkE3Qby-3HDFsUefe-6y3Ij8/w450-h640/voh1.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When the hole is deep enough, Larry tells his unfaithful wife and her lover that it's their grave. First, they try to talk their way out of it. Then, they try to fight. But Larry has the upper hand. Once he subdues them, he begins filling in the hole. . .burying them alive! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yOBARjMpB3B_5yax0YqwZIUBe1i-PTtt5R5wtTnfvHn1tSawUNl0Pqo4wfQGjeH5KnsWFlU__B9qGcqA4aPcmBJBHTSMkoUNY9UoGqDH2MGas_rauLWVyw0DYDrrgeqaPWDSa0ovPgKNUxGs6tgJ03cm6gptkk47ksFTKWx98G7CYyLOOwb39pYK4a8/s1498/voh2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1498" data-original-width="1053" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yOBARjMpB3B_5yax0YqwZIUBe1i-PTtt5R5wtTnfvHn1tSawUNl0Pqo4wfQGjeH5KnsWFlU__B9qGcqA4aPcmBJBHTSMkoUNY9UoGqDH2MGas_rauLWVyw0DYDrrgeqaPWDSa0ovPgKNUxGs6tgJ03cm6gptkk47ksFTKWx98G7CYyLOOwb39pYK4a8/w450-h640/voh2.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But when Larry returns to the lodge, he discovers his car battery is dead. Unable to use the battery from his wife's car, he leaves his car at the lodge and returns to the city, planning to return as soon as he can.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Over the next two weeks, Larry remains calm. He reports his wife's disappearance, answers all the questions from the police, and seems to have committed the perfect crime and gotten away with it. There's only the loose end of his car remaining. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And so, he returns to the isolated lodge with a new battery, and is relieved to find everything exactly as he left it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEibOvZ2wyMBAsXrwZs25Rh9u2pomuZzNa9tO2F5gc8RPXM6VpvAAUD6ouWpicn39YKSzIeFtyitkkdTjTFQptuWawrC4HwkMMDE6l7bzyTRCkjHNuK0FjjDlR1X5mswOBV7MRcTSSnzQXn8FNlYZLc5Hb2EVlk9OYUj95QbA5VNLafWxU0RDLL-0bRV0/s1510/voh3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEibOvZ2wyMBAsXrwZs25Rh9u2pomuZzNa9tO2F5gc8RPXM6VpvAAUD6ouWpicn39YKSzIeFtyitkkdTjTFQptuWawrC4HwkMMDE6l7bzyTRCkjHNuK0FjjDlR1X5mswOBV7MRcTSSnzQXn8FNlYZLc5Hb2EVlk9OYUj95QbA5VNLafWxU0RDLL-0bRV0/w450-h640/voh3.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div><br /></div>After Larry meticulously cleans his wife's car of his fingerprints, he suddenly realizes that, even though he brought the new battery, he's forgotten the keys to HIS car! Desperate, Larry knows that he can't just leave his car at the lodge. But then he remembers that his wife had a spare set of keys to his car that she carried in her purse.</div><div><br /></div><div>There was only one solution. . .he had to dig up the grave and get those keys!</div><div><br /></div><div>But after making his way back to where he'd buried his wife and her lover, he sees that the grave has been disturbed. Digging in, he finds it empty! Luckily for him, he finds his wife's purse and the spare keys.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAmLXtEMHGVtMqysOI_xC7E-dbBUOgH29PVrXByP8CzYo2vCH6-y_EzoTJeX_kYICUN8p8ZlOCck8owvy6O8iWsufb09XSMo1B4sSED6LFbA11IU8vN_lQFHUJsnsELKugyAKzclBJwkPaM8qdFGaQoiTfp3EW7Ad4yusTjiAQ6tFcirDrjZ1vry_9kk/s1510/voh5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAmLXtEMHGVtMqysOI_xC7E-dbBUOgH29PVrXByP8CzYo2vCH6-y_EzoTJeX_kYICUN8p8ZlOCck8owvy6O8iWsufb09XSMo1B4sSED6LFbA11IU8vN_lQFHUJsnsELKugyAKzclBJwkPaM8qdFGaQoiTfp3EW7Ad4yusTjiAQ6tFcirDrjZ1vry_9kk/w450-h640/voh5.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Terrified by the implications of the empty grave, Larry comes to the conclusion that his wife and her lover somehow lived through his burying them alive, and that they have been hiding out at the lodge, waiting for him to return!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He runs through the rainy woods back to the lodge, convinced that he is being followed in the dark. He decides to turn the tables on them and ambush them in the lodge when they come for him. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And that's where we came in. . .with Larry hiding in the dark lodge, nervously clutching a pistol and waiting for his wife and her lover so he can finish the job once and for all.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YEM2x32r2mKy_AA-m43xhP3ucEL0D9omudDwRPY1wcjnhKN2xDjqCYwTeTZ4tEXhdwrUgp-vhDPZna73q3AmT2vSDe_bGHdSpTUbySJ9WDjV8DFBbiIzaP8hDMQcB2jlKpJU05HtruKTRfkdiJeRdpsN23ntO7_mKcbpU8GEjl-GrN-UIzbs6fFvxXg/s1510/voh6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YEM2x32r2mKy_AA-m43xhP3ucEL0D9omudDwRPY1wcjnhKN2xDjqCYwTeTZ4tEXhdwrUgp-vhDPZna73q3AmT2vSDe_bGHdSpTUbySJ9WDjV8DFBbiIzaP8hDMQcB2jlKpJU05HtruKTRfkdiJeRdpsN23ntO7_mKcbpU8GEjl-GrN-UIzbs6fFvxXg/w450-h640/voh6.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After a while, Larry hears their footsteps. Thumping, shuffling footsteps! He snaps on his flashlight and points his gun to confront his wife and her lover for the last time! Unfortunately for the horrified Larry, he quickly discovers that the pair did NOT survive their burial!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fused together in a tangle of rotted limbs, the shuffling corpse-monster that was once his wife and her lover moves quickly toward Larry! He fires, but the shots have no effect! He screams hysterically as the two people he had buried alive get their revenge. . .from beyond the grave! DUN-DUN-DUNNN!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8eghe6NqkavR9vSfx0Wx28LYmDIbnGPYuMIZQGbdqf7UmDaqkcwMPKkZckIq5B2BfDhUJYl12FQJpzBHR01CEv3KqhmyfRD9s0OBsHQUXcN8vtVOsR9IVpSUwKgOvRl45ZnSVZNCuo6R0qnwkaNgKeXcM84wnB52Gb5SYYx-Dm2iR30MvR4pDlZjJ-UQ/s1510/voh7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8eghe6NqkavR9vSfx0Wx28LYmDIbnGPYuMIZQGbdqf7UmDaqkcwMPKkZckIq5B2BfDhUJYl12FQJpzBHR01CEv3KqhmyfRD9s0OBsHQUXcN8vtVOsR9IVpSUwKgOvRl45ZnSVZNCuo6R0qnwkaNgKeXcM84wnB52Gb5SYYx-Dm2iR30MvR4pDlZjJ-UQ/w450-h640/voh7.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The End.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE REVIEW:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A great start for this Golden Age goodie! A tight, tense story that's more of a crime tale than a horror story until that last page when Larry gets what's coming to him. Johnny Craig weaves dialogue just dripping with paranoia and fear! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Craig also pulls art duty on this one, and, for those reading who haven't had much exposure to Golden Age comics, let me tell you that if you see Johnny Craig's name credited as artist, just know it's gonna be good. . .maybe even great. In MY humble opinion, Johnny Craig was one of the greatest artists of the Golden Age. He does NOT disappoint here. The scans above should speak for themselves. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, a fantastic opener from one of my favorite Golden Age creators!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">NEXT!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">WITCH WITCH'S WITCH!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">SCRIPT: Johnny Craig</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">PENCILS: Jack Davis</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">INKS: Jack Davis</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE STORY:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Scandal rocks the small European village of Blumstadt when young Eric Holbien returns from a week in the city on business with news that he has married! Eric's betrothed, Alicia, who has been promised as his wife since she was a young girl, is devastated.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Eric and Helena (his new wife) are confronted by Alicia, her mother, and Eric's own mother. It is not a pleasant conversation, to say the least, with Eric's disappointed mother being the most harsh. Finally, Alicia takes the high road and wishes Eric and Helena the best. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But out of earshot of Eric, Alicia tells Helena that she hates her and will have her revenge!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxBjRzRIAgJ-x1nJJR6kRxf0PHAQVeAYPS9yEbdX2wdyMpFd-KDFMXsQpwlfSCafxEI3uqI4Gh9AYi-JMzFusf1ML4q-t9Pa1BLpQWCkID7QLjdjcUhCdiGHZqveaR4XkIt0CPFlDHVfeX2fFxTB5cmS9hkXSnriU0XyUmEiPYePUWvWsBmcS3WFwUZo/s1510/voh8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxBjRzRIAgJ-x1nJJR6kRxf0PHAQVeAYPS9yEbdX2wdyMpFd-KDFMXsQpwlfSCafxEI3uqI4Gh9AYi-JMzFusf1ML4q-t9Pa1BLpQWCkID7QLjdjcUhCdiGHZqveaR4XkIt0CPFlDHVfeX2fFxTB5cmS9hkXSnriU0XyUmEiPYePUWvWsBmcS3WFwUZo/w450-h640/voh8.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Only a week later, Eric's mother suddenly dies with no explanation. Helena doesn't attend the funeral and rumors begin to swirl that she had something to do with the death. The rumors only become stronger when a delegation from the local church tells Helena that she's not welcome at services, only for the leader of the group to fall dead just a few days later!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6itsGbDenomCYeEQrlP1Vc-tM52mVUKy6oGU8oQ-xlj9PGxWL3fXlu-01cjWwQaDQY_hX96mCmd4wzhb6MuBAE0ei6aNLFATbmwd-P2sYO3Du1bRERILeJl1peDi3zhniMFOd9_cyvR-GhRzGPVBMpxYLsygCvyeW0u84OmUwvnuBfKUBu1cdnKKInZ8/s1510/voh9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6itsGbDenomCYeEQrlP1Vc-tM52mVUKy6oGU8oQ-xlj9PGxWL3fXlu-01cjWwQaDQY_hX96mCmd4wzhb6MuBAE0ei6aNLFATbmwd-P2sYO3Du1bRERILeJl1peDi3zhniMFOd9_cyvR-GhRzGPVBMpxYLsygCvyeW0u84OmUwvnuBfKUBu1cdnKKInZ8/w450-h640/voh9.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Soon, the rumors begin to turn to accusations of witchcraft! Alicia's mother is the strongest supporter of the belief that a witch is among the people of Blumstadt. And then, one day when Alicia's mother passes Helena on the street, the woman falls dead on the spot in full view of all passerby!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At her mother's hasty funeral, Alicia is suddenly stricken by pain and visions of Helena trying to kill her! Among the other deaths, the villagers have had enough! Accusations fly and a mob forms to seize and burn the witch!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHvZih3YGycn7jBKnjDPSwVKRQmB5jcGxA98AvyTNCH89FEwFoLt8dzuylddaXYH-1lDgkHbAxAEiNJ7cl-SpT974pzJd0EhN_lrvIl2Dq6X2PX3zHh9ITEudBRIQb5vEd1R55QGyQViXB3JC9a2-rL-X1HaMY7wjccFcxD7pyhoPsYzW4IF9_Yw9P0M/s1510/voh11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHvZih3YGycn7jBKnjDPSwVKRQmB5jcGxA98AvyTNCH89FEwFoLt8dzuylddaXYH-1lDgkHbAxAEiNJ7cl-SpT974pzJd0EhN_lrvIl2Dq6X2PX3zHh9ITEudBRIQb5vEd1R55QGyQViXB3JC9a2-rL-X1HaMY7wjccFcxD7pyhoPsYzW4IF9_Yw9P0M/w450-h640/voh11.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As the frenzied mob of villagers break into Eric's house to seize his wife, Helena begs for mercy, trying to tell the villagers that it is Alicia getting revenge on her that's been responsible for the town's misfortunes!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The mob isn't having any of it and they take Helena! Eric tries to defend his wife, but is shot dead by the enraged villagers as they drag Helena to the fire!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But SURPRISE! As the villagers throw the protesting Helena onto the fire, she gives up the pretense and shouts words of dark magic, transforming the villagers into rats as her true appearance is revealed. . .from a dark-haired beauty to a withered crone, Helena WAS a witch after all!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKRCcRhhlsYtoh4MdgllSje6g3apiAbM_iaogmgHUsxT_p2WbgY_lS_1koRkzjFbx5piTgwdVdOXTblfzjq_U04dfzxlbxE74BUHLX99Pcc6IaCnEUxPfZw7Yf3KqJaDDcCK7pJSxfPNeJQHXV_jq8CJ7RPELaogcB8qh2AAjIXqu99TzC3aDD5GVC58/s1510/voh12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKRCcRhhlsYtoh4MdgllSje6g3apiAbM_iaogmgHUsxT_p2WbgY_lS_1koRkzjFbx5piTgwdVdOXTblfzjq_U04dfzxlbxE74BUHLX99Pcc6IaCnEUxPfZw7Yf3KqJaDDcCK7pJSxfPNeJQHXV_jq8CJ7RPELaogcB8qh2AAjIXqu99TzC3aDD5GVC58/w450-h640/voh12.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The End.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE REVIEW:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another really good little story! I like that the writer makes it look like an innocent woman is being plagued by a witch for revenge, but then flips the script and. . .yeah, the villagers were right. A clever twist! Like the first story, this one is also written by Johnny Craig and has the same tight, tense feel to it. I know Craig more for his art, but I'm discovering he's also a pretty fine writer!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the art side of things, right up there next to Johnny Craig on my Golden Age art favorites list sits the great Jack Davis! He's got a more exaggerated and less precise style than Craig, but his looser pencils open up a nice feeling of movement that made Davis one of the Golden Age greats and carried him through a long and successful career even after the Golden Age was past.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, another really enjoyable little story. This one with a twist that took me by surprise, and when you've read as many of these old horror/suspense comics as I have, that's a sort of hard thing to do.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">NEXT!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">COOLER</span> - 3/4 page text story with illustration</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">SCRIPT: (?)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">ILLUSTRATION: (?)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE STORY:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We follow a man as he escapes from Cragmore prison. He's chose winter, believing it's his best chance to cross the lake surrounding the island prison when it's frozen over. As he crosses the ice, he hears pursuit and ducks into a hole, down into the freezing water, breathing the air in the small space between the ice and water.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But soon, the terrified prisoner realizes that he's lost the hole. As he frantically searches for a means to escape his predicament, he freezes to death. A free man, but still in an icy prison.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExkT2RJnVCBB4AINZbLIe1kOPRdPjRx4xqxDv0pf-DTPCm_8CYGwIs8PlkqdVVEdWUYuqYvwfdPdvpCGvwM0Xzt6jFjYPZW2vSRfyl5oj9RZzhQafHVKeUtcUJtIsnBsxugxExooJ8Ly4R1_3Z-U3VvUJym0fsuSxt_QCJWaj0QSJbCrzpzOept7dDG4/s1510/vohx.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExkT2RJnVCBB4AINZbLIe1kOPRdPjRx4xqxDv0pf-DTPCm_8CYGwIs8PlkqdVVEdWUYuqYvwfdPdvpCGvwM0Xzt6jFjYPZW2vSRfyl5oj9RZzhQafHVKeUtcUJtIsnBsxugxExooJ8Ly4R1_3Z-U3VvUJym0fsuSxt_QCJWaj0QSJbCrzpzOept7dDG4/w450-h640/vohx.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE REVIEW:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a VERY short little tale. Just three-quarters of a page (and I have to say, the amount of fine print on the other quarter page is pretty amazing, compared to the little indicas we have now). But for its extremely short length, its a very nice and atmospheric read! For a filler, this is some pretty quality writing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall. . .surprisingly good. I scanned the whole thing above for you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">NEXT!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">PIPE DREAM</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">SCRIPT: Johnny Craig</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">PENCILS: Bernie Krigstein</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">INKS: Bernie Krigstein</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE STORY:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We meet an old Asian man named Chen Chu Yang, where he lays in an opium den. He's a man with a strange story to tell. And so we go back about twelve years before, when it all began. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Chen has a good wife, who is the light of his life. One day, he goes to the opium den to relax and has a dream that his wife has died. When he returns, he learns that his wife is gone. Grief-stricken, Chen takes on the responsibility of caring for his son and daughter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzGFC69l4CFYTRAdhyxX8xrGhUZj6bAKrHzu6jmQAQ-vamj4reTfFKDXxbgm8baxS3t-t3eF4bjs92MM0xss0XCEiGRM-z3BkAfrFQh-1a8YK5_5mjc7izScLiWbBnwpN1HVz2KayMFMV1u_PttbxVlwT3DGU6GluQ3TJanTGtjbptAeif1C_Hya_Ps0/s1510/voh13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzGFC69l4CFYTRAdhyxX8xrGhUZj6bAKrHzu6jmQAQ-vamj4reTfFKDXxbgm8baxS3t-t3eF4bjs92MM0xss0XCEiGRM-z3BkAfrFQh-1a8YK5_5mjc7izScLiWbBnwpN1HVz2KayMFMV1u_PttbxVlwT3DGU6GluQ3TJanTGtjbptAeif1C_Hya_Ps0/w450-h640/voh13.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Unfortunately, Chen is a bit old and frail, and his son has to step up to take care of the family. He does so until war comes to Asia and he gets a draft notice. Understandably upset by his son leaving, Chen decides to drown his sorrow in opium smoke. While at the opium den, Chen has a horrific dream of his son's death.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And sure enough, when he returns, he learns that his son has met a tragic end.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUe3B_oF7VqHTYE4GqG1WSr6wJEdgQtyZbdTINalZEjg-e9Mt_vl6aOaXcAaney2VWUnY-rvKEmXRFs3Hffvs-hrDvb90BaUFnV8sCWkQQhMZboO9MC3QPGdNLEDfWA4ZYupgW2RGVBbE_fdxF7tLSI6hS7wui1XWgkSftBy1C1-wPkTixrEBOqwaVSw/s1510/voh14.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUe3B_oF7VqHTYE4GqG1WSr6wJEdgQtyZbdTINalZEjg-e9Mt_vl6aOaXcAaney2VWUnY-rvKEmXRFs3Hffvs-hrDvb90BaUFnV8sCWkQQhMZboO9MC3QPGdNLEDfWA4ZYupgW2RGVBbE_fdxF7tLSI6hS7wui1XWgkSftBy1C1-wPkTixrEBOqwaVSw/w450-h640/voh14.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And so, Chen is left with only his beloved daughter. When she decides to marry, Chen tries his best to convince his daughter that her husband-to-be is not a good man. But she's in love and doesn't listen to her father.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As time passes, it turns out that Chen was right. His daughter's husband is cruel and unfeeling, but now she is married to him, she is honor-bound to remain until his death. Chen decides that he might be able to help her after all. . .and so he goes to the opium den.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikCkGST1c6pwNeFXA0LD5wxdH5W761eYh4h93i9v6gZdWlkBUx5FLbaOOVbCnlwfStiNn2Ws6cQfqR9zj0eWw2VmF1uygINv-aUb4bAdfIPmDLDft_iz6twjkHOUFGeIhef0MWVFRn2DwLbM_Hux3zcZhwJivtV-kKRMWYQx8WDGWAKBQv6tTakiMHyw/s1510/voh15.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikCkGST1c6pwNeFXA0LD5wxdH5W761eYh4h93i9v6gZdWlkBUx5FLbaOOVbCnlwfStiNn2Ws6cQfqR9zj0eWw2VmF1uygINv-aUb4bAdfIPmDLDft_iz6twjkHOUFGeIhef0MWVFRn2DwLbM_Hux3zcZhwJivtV-kKRMWYQx8WDGWAKBQv6tTakiMHyw/w450-h640/voh15.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sure enough, while at the opium den, Chen has a horrific dream of his son-in-law's death. When he returns, Chen learns that his daughter's husband has been murdered! Chen takes great joy in the cruel man's death. . .but then he learns that his daughter is accused of the murder! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Unable to prove her innocence, Chen's beloved daughter is executed for murder. Now left with nothing to live for, and with the knowledge that his trying to use the strange power he had discovered for evil caused the death of his innocent daughter, Chen now spends all his days at the opium den. . .lost in his dreams.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2N-HY85h2Lln3UesnJvYxXVeiZJs77F7n-qCe-mE3Rdi6QD_Iv1G6RbLuI603x6d-EC4suNJmHZOgICQyiJtdw395aDIGqC7bHvWqhKwtR7iFtqGxnpZzfv34Vdrd4Sl-dYiaX680aeLB0p0jIyI0xYL6zG4mbocKVQPeNW__dC79d3_o_tG7EoyALo/s1510/voh16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2N-HY85h2Lln3UesnJvYxXVeiZJs77F7n-qCe-mE3Rdi6QD_Iv1G6RbLuI603x6d-EC4suNJmHZOgICQyiJtdw395aDIGqC7bHvWqhKwtR7iFtqGxnpZzfv34Vdrd4Sl-dYiaX680aeLB0p0jIyI0xYL6zG4mbocKVQPeNW__dC79d3_o_tG7EoyALo/w450-h640/voh16.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The End.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE REVIEW:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another great little story from Johnny Craig! Where the first was a paranoid crime thriller with a supernatural twist, and the second was a steady build to witch mob frenzy, this one drifts in a dreamlike manner, like the smoke from the unfortunate Chen's pipe. Very nicely done to have three stories by the same writer told in such different ways!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The art likewise has a sketchy, dreamlike feel to it. Not as precise or defined as the previous stories. As if the panels are barely-recalled memories. . .hazy and vague. It's not my favorite art in this issue, but it does fit this story perfectly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, a very interesting change of pace from the tightly-focused stories that came before it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">AND FINALLY. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">TWO-TIMED!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">SCRIPT: Jack Oleck (?)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">PENCILS: Graham Ingels</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">INKS: Graham Ingels</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE STORY:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1911. A young boy named Tommy hears shouting in the woods outside his home. Sneaking out to investigate, he comes upon a man and a woman arguing. The man begins to beat the woman, but then realizes he's being watched and grabs the boy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFzKBPGS9L4OEZYkUTrABz_omKim3ASbk5ifbvHUAJuYnmGDvreRKM7nAv5D_Jr609ocRj2S5kAAC_5uF2Ao8Yjl7Hk_b_5wIphIxrFylZxiWd950rOzTWYNhXr7FPC06DPS8jApoi5YnQOBwHjFODUPNuFssd-CsFOOsDwulkJdv9rNnCQm7ZLuV-3I/s1510/voh17.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFzKBPGS9L4OEZYkUTrABz_omKim3ASbk5ifbvHUAJuYnmGDvreRKM7nAv5D_Jr609ocRj2S5kAAC_5uF2Ao8Yjl7Hk_b_5wIphIxrFylZxiWd950rOzTWYNhXr7FPC06DPS8jApoi5YnQOBwHjFODUPNuFssd-CsFOOsDwulkJdv9rNnCQm7ZLuV-3I/w450-h640/voh17.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Almost dead, the man stops choking Dickie for some reason. Before Dickie passes out, he hears a gunshot. When he wakes, his parents and the local constable are there. They find no sign of the man or woman, and a strange burned area. Other than that, the whole event is a mystery, and remains unsolved.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgObtf45MD-NM9DShzyAw6wCH6vEygpLoGPV1Zo8rY_cAt4WQFsZW8Kn6v8GXROv68HaRLNHk8kLTVNZWh6O44so-_H5kZ5RaPaZOlPLwSXl5hznicet5yP3pvBscTYZmbEwTnP6bkT9rWONZ7r55SkH_ovLWr5H39hERLa0_uPE8K5FZdfKjKDuiE-PGI/s1490/voh18.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1490" data-original-width="1053" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgObtf45MD-NM9DShzyAw6wCH6vEygpLoGPV1Zo8rY_cAt4WQFsZW8Kn6v8GXROv68HaRLNHk8kLTVNZWh6O44so-_H5kZ5RaPaZOlPLwSXl5hznicet5yP3pvBscTYZmbEwTnP6bkT9rWONZ7r55SkH_ovLWr5H39hERLa0_uPE8K5FZdfKjKDuiE-PGI/w452-h640/voh18.jpg" width="452" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Flash forward about twenty years. Tommy is now a grown man. A man with a problem. He's got an unfaithful wife. One night, Tommy overhears his wife and lover discussing killing him. Infuriated, Tommy decides to turn the tables and kill her instead. He makes his plan, gathers what he needs and hides it in the woods, and then waits for his moment. . .</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoP9FLEo88Fmh84iR4BAOFHZ9r3i7dAKfNYGzcz6P2s6gyaz_1Grmp2AzeB5ayrVJP4xHJFHcHFd1MJEX64AV2MU2p2BO1mYrZ1lU9NALp8qQ4vWndqddfJYSWVHqTo4_BF0d1o-g0_TW3vrp6zhouQTiJItM2_-v9tdaBPLOl7temUuud4sh2GjpkKE/s1510/voh19.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoP9FLEo88Fmh84iR4BAOFHZ9r3i7dAKfNYGzcz6P2s6gyaz_1Grmp2AzeB5ayrVJP4xHJFHcHFd1MJEX64AV2MU2p2BO1mYrZ1lU9NALp8qQ4vWndqddfJYSWVHqTo4_BF0d1o-g0_TW3vrp6zhouQTiJItM2_-v9tdaBPLOl7temUuud4sh2GjpkKE/w450-h640/voh19.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Later that night, Tommy confronts his cheating wife. She protests, but Tommy drags her into the woods. He begins savagely beating her with a lead pipe when she tries to fight back and escape. Suddenly, Tommy realizes they are being watched by a young boy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2xVPTyGX4VOF9jE6lMBEWmiDugDj8d-xR1dY-bKzqT3q5dmA8kEPTHNqIjIIXcFq-rmJZXkVdkte1t1-iTaKi9hZZHvUTn_YZ-fdcElt5cYiq6aTk4nCI6k0gCqjXyd43vvzxxD2nPXH3kNQEp7r5ZZEBlQKQOzZJnYpQ-T-LmVK153w-K6LTKpcUXRc/s1510/voh20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2xVPTyGX4VOF9jE6lMBEWmiDugDj8d-xR1dY-bKzqT3q5dmA8kEPTHNqIjIIXcFq-rmJZXkVdkte1t1-iTaKi9hZZHvUTn_YZ-fdcElt5cYiq6aTk4nCI6k0gCqjXyd43vvzxxD2nPXH3kNQEp7r5ZZEBlQKQOzZJnYpQ-T-LmVK153w-K6LTKpcUXRc/w450-h640/voh20.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>As Tommy chokes the life out of the young witness, he suddenly realizes that this has all happened before! HE'S the boy! Dropping the boy to the ground, Tommy gleefully pours kerosene on his wife's body and sets it alight. . .now convinced he's committed the perfect crime, knowing that the mystery from when he was a child was never solved!</div><div><br /></div><div>But then a shot rings out.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rjPTQVUPr8FkIrfGFUMMREh6JncCGrVj6FneX3_guKDPo6bDOWHidAHdqthOOMFoSg3g6-yy6XLIFHh4yu6L3Ai__XzSJ6EWkvpZjWAEMSOU5uwZMTYFJVoebpDP7waa64uA8ghbIl6HTk9mF8bh2vfFY05C9R8t6kFE_KDOus5ivxXZqRumfb2mi9s/s1510/voh21.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rjPTQVUPr8FkIrfGFUMMREh6JncCGrVj6FneX3_guKDPo6bDOWHidAHdqthOOMFoSg3g6-yy6XLIFHh4yu6L3Ai__XzSJ6EWkvpZjWAEMSOU5uwZMTYFJVoebpDP7waa64uA8ghbIl6HTk9mF8bh2vfFY05C9R8t6kFE_KDOus5ivxXZqRumfb2mi9s/w450-h640/voh21.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As Tommy falls onto his wife's burning body, the old constable tries to save him, but fails. All those many years ago, the only clue was a piece of half-burned paper. A piece of paper with that day's date on it! And so the constable solved the mystery. . .twenty years late.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5a46gMKTBVllskLM6zAvbicenMsambGW5pXLCmfdeiEc9mWQ3Pvic6wmZGVZ1EEjVNICE1LeoblIaJj9KSLgtt4sOrj8aGvBBNLPkkMQyKkcnUQb1QuJjZEEgRy7fHEG82WFVfp2xNulRXSWl5ILp9okJzk5EX-mXYF03nZFQc58U3iS0J1qELTi85o/s1510/voh22.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5a46gMKTBVllskLM6zAvbicenMsambGW5pXLCmfdeiEc9mWQ3Pvic6wmZGVZ1EEjVNICE1LeoblIaJj9KSLgtt4sOrj8aGvBBNLPkkMQyKkcnUQb1QuJjZEEgRy7fHEG82WFVfp2xNulRXSWl5ILp9okJzk5EX-mXYF03nZFQc58U3iS0J1qELTi85o/w450-h640/voh22.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE REVIEW:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And there's four for four (Five for five, if you count the little text piece)! This final story drives it home for the grand slam! It's the only story in here without Johnny Craig's name on it, but it's still a very nice little crime suspense story with a supernatural/ time travel twist. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the art side of things, one of EC's premier horror artists pushes the pencils on this one and really brings it to life! "Ghastly" Graham Ingles was MUCH better known as a horror artist, but he does a fine job with this cool little crime story. . .and nary a gory scene to be had!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, a strong finish to a great issue!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">CONCLUSION</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">EC comics are some of the most highly-sought after Golden Age comics. . .especially EC horror comics. This issue is a perfect example of WHY. It's not the most "valuable" EC horror comic out there. It's a random issue from the tail end of one of EC's second tier horror titles. But this comic book simply DRIPS with quality!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The stories are great reads, even almost 70 years down the road. The art is some of the best you can find in a Golden Age comic. It might not be the best HALLOWEEN comic, but don't get me wrong, this is a winner from end to end.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of the things I like best about doing reviews of older comics like this is that mine will often be the first and probably ONLY cover to cover review of a comic that people will usually just see behind the plastic of a slab. . .just the cover posted online. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> It's a great feeling, knowing that I'm contributing just a LITTLE bit to the overall comic knowledge out there. I mean, think about it. Where else are you going to get a description of a 3/4 page text filler piece by an unknown writer in a random Vault of Horror issue? Right here at Longbox Junk, THAT'S where. But enough of THAT.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This issue is a solid read all the way through. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting a good example of Golden Age non-superhero comic books. You're not gonna find it in a back issue bin. Even though this isn't the most "valuable" or sought-after EC horror comic, EVERY EC horror comic comes at a premium. Even in the "okay" condition mine's in, I see it's "worth" close to a thousand bucks. So Longbox Junk this definitely is NOT.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fortunately, just about all the EC horror comics (including the whole Vault of Horror series) has been reprinted several times and in several formats. There are some great EC omnibus editions out there, but if you REALLY want to get into them (and I highly recommend you do), then there's a five book hardcover edition in a nice slipcover like the one I have that would make a FINE Christmas present for yourself! You can find them easily online and it's worth every penny!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNM_YSHoh0VkOSoSuPmU_2YqITesNyU46RoIQ_x-5dJA1lopcQu_-DFbtu_8eY3is3zwTalwAPFss8XQLL07mweTJ4s00eY078TxmgCdqgBPgTonJZxJPvr43zhUh-jGvNTYi-nZE2OjwpkO5b7LwIsHr3doQTHbnM-_jz90AH2JHkuVn0COvwZWD7Xc/s833/R.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNM_YSHoh0VkOSoSuPmU_2YqITesNyU46RoIQ_x-5dJA1lopcQu_-DFbtu_8eY3is3zwTalwAPFss8XQLL07mweTJ4s00eY078TxmgCdqgBPgTonJZxJPvr43zhUh-jGvNTYi-nZE2OjwpkO5b7LwIsHr3doQTHbnM-_jz90AH2JHkuVn0COvwZWD7Xc/s320/R.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So that's it for the 2023 Longbox Junk Halloween Horror Marathon. I was zipping along nicely for a while there. Thought I might break my October record until I hit a bit of a work wall and fell off my pace. But still. . .fifteen spooky reviews ain't bad at all in MY book!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I hope you had a good time at the party, and we'll do it again next year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Until then, it's back to Longbox Junk business as usual. . .or unusual. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Be there or be square!</div></div>Atomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07048497340899834399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025939866108320406.post-44986183851899907952023-10-25T00:55:00.001-07:002023-10-25T00:58:34.283-07:00Longbox Junk Halloween 2023 Part 14 - Tales of Ghost Castle #3 (1975)Welcome to Longbox Junk! I write comic reviews nobody asked for! <div><br /></div><div>And now we're up to part FOURTEEN of the 2023 Longbox Junk Halloween Horror Marathon! Only 3 more after this entry to beat my October record! GOALS!</div><div><br /></div><div>Looking back over the entries this year so far, I see that it's a sort of ghost and werewolf heavy party this year. . .so how about leaning into it with some more ghosts! The more the merrier, am I right? Yes I AM!</div><div><br /></div><div>I reviewed issue #2 of this extremely short-lived series (only 3 issues) for <a href="https://longboxjunk.blogspot.com/2022/10/longbox-junk-halloween-horror-2022-part_9.html" target="_blank">LAST YEAR'S HALLOWEEN PARTY</a> and really enjoyed it, so I kept my eyes open and managed to snag another one for this year's shindig. Will we have another certified nugget of Longbox Junk gold with THIS issue? </div><div><br /></div><div> Let's find out! <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">TALES OF GHOST CASTLE #3</span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">DC (1975)</span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8borDeKUopkMrOfMCz_ww9a4pKdHWV_-ljRLyxslse3WmOKxiVrM4MO1GSh4hCeev7l6HA4ctQgwYksaP7et782GKy1BBM6sCV7HongZEHDf2L8vp7C0p4839mei3nLPNFrVoMgytz7HaJG92zvjdyrKEUXfo22Sxq07ZrhFpww1Z828lpfnEyPAQCI/s593/talesofghostcastle3cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="593" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8borDeKUopkMrOfMCz_ww9a4pKdHWV_-ljRLyxslse3WmOKxiVrM4MO1GSh4hCeev7l6HA4ctQgwYksaP7et782GKy1BBM6sCV7HongZEHDf2L8vp7C0p4839mei3nLPNFrVoMgytz7HaJG92zvjdyrKEUXfo22Sxq07ZrhFpww1Z828lpfnEyPAQCI/w432-h640/talesofghostcastle3cover.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">COVER: Luis Dominguez</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE COVER:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I like this one a lot! It's a great Halloween cover. There's a lot of nice detail and a good sense of movement. I really like the poltergeist theme, and the contrast between the bright central figure of the woman and the darkened room. Word balloons on a cover are usually sort of intrusive to MY eye, but this one actually makes the cover better! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The only think I DON'T like is how the title takes up so much territory. Don't get me wrong, the logo is cool, but definitely just too big. All in all a great Halloween cover. Let's get inside!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE STORIES:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The more of these older anthologies I read, the more I appreciate the value compared to comics today. THREE stories in ONE comic for a single, lousy quarter. I might sound old, but they don't make 'em like that anymore. Let's check these stories out!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">THE DEMON'S HERE TO STAY!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">SCRIPT: Jack Oleck</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">PENCILS: Ernie Chan</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">INKS: Bill Draut</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE STORY:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Medieval Europe, the village of Domray. Paul and Marie Lebrun are terrified when their son, a slow-witted but gentle giant named Andre begins to exhibit strange powers and a violent disposition. In desperation, they turn to a friend, Trudeau the Scholar, trying to find an answer before their beloved son is arrested for witchcraft.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wckR89kLgu5yh9LlbiFiv9ksrG4DfL2ej_15DLaJVlN0JPE41KINJ9p6Wb7oFtp5ink7qmNgdKTNEm_vMlY1slZQpTCBNSFopJkWysitM-Y3doqCi4BKRaTE6ZcRfIi2HUhARH7lFGhIRAisKZoS1CzG7ce8VXOV8fvOIrXl6trtxz6f6v0q_RTaF8Y/s1600/tgc1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wckR89kLgu5yh9LlbiFiv9ksrG4DfL2ej_15DLaJVlN0JPE41KINJ9p6Wb7oFtp5ink7qmNgdKTNEm_vMlY1slZQpTCBNSFopJkWysitM-Y3doqCi4BKRaTE6ZcRfIi2HUhARH7lFGhIRAisKZoS1CzG7ce8VXOV8fvOIrXl6trtxz6f6v0q_RTaF8Y/w426-h640/tgc1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Trudeau is skeptical, knowing Andre is a slow-witted boy in a man's body. But then he sees for himself! Andre flies into a rage when he is told to put his dog outside. He throws benches and cracks the beams of the house, almost killing Truedeau. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The shaken scholar proclaims that the only explanation is that Andre is possessed by a demon and he must be taken to the village priest for an exorcism.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG16Uxv1ww0p7E5KMTzvR5vrIULh0LZHhODyRn0xRX8HAz4ZaUI66rDG-9h8OYQzRAHqUf18uNzRE6oLQ2EtYSPb6ubTfZJjJAlmkyCzsRx5jBeloggrT-AH5hHKb_jRcxfa_XXdJY3H9yIEn-pzT8Zk2BMXFJjqpoX10zFrFXMXQkvN1gcuFlsFIrv-o/s1517/tgc2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1517" data-original-width="1011" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG16Uxv1ww0p7E5KMTzvR5vrIULh0LZHhODyRn0xRX8HAz4ZaUI66rDG-9h8OYQzRAHqUf18uNzRE6oLQ2EtYSPb6ubTfZJjJAlmkyCzsRx5jBeloggrT-AH5hHKb_jRcxfa_XXdJY3H9yIEn-pzT8Zk2BMXFJjqpoX10zFrFXMXQkvN1gcuFlsFIrv-o/w426-h640/tgc2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>They bring Andre to Father Bernot, a gentle priest who doesn't believe in witch burnings, and beg for help. Bernot agrees to perform an exorcism. As the ceremony proceeds, a howling wind begins to fling the church's furnishings about! Bernot gives up and forces Paul and Marie to leave with their son.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgokursLAATy1QtwZi9qDTazyBU1XXrCfpo3atvYfIGjt7bmUj-6PX7mCi0lm0h3QDnkEiappHRPf9XIN5Iw4j6IKN3TfGJ9Kb56KqfTDZKXWE7TBzFFQoBaWC8iElOeAIXgG4AgjeIVD4PRWbegyxGQH_RiibZENHrgd9pU9jZD9HyuEv1XnNOq3lzOJg/s1600/tgc3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgokursLAATy1QtwZi9qDTazyBU1XXrCfpo3atvYfIGjt7bmUj-6PX7mCi0lm0h3QDnkEiappHRPf9XIN5Iw4j6IKN3TfGJ9Kb56KqfTDZKXWE7TBzFFQoBaWC8iElOeAIXgG4AgjeIVD4PRWbegyxGQH_RiibZENHrgd9pU9jZD9HyuEv1XnNOq3lzOJg/w426-h640/tgc3.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At their wit's end, Paul and Marie are convinced by Truedeau that the only way to save their son's soul, as well as their own lives, is to turn Andre over to the Sheriff. . .even if that likely means that he will be tried as a witch and burned. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Indeed, what they most fear happens. The Sheriff forms a jury and Andre is proclaimed a witch and then burnt at the stake. Finally, the Lebrun's nightmare is over. All that remains now is grief over their lost son.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53LuB1U7R0naL_wZJceOOsv4svaA1O7_eLB-tSwGdJwvpCycOdLUa_-dTQrgvQB0vsQ8YUB39IViQIt__Y64idX8XTO8PzFgwbogOqmFJ3J0NFXpCjhAN0sHJ6R93JMCRm35tPXd38a31Kum2G6bt6cRGqvQvG2dLiy0gTzqYq5Ih5kFAIM_2iJL6zHE/s1600/tgc%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53LuB1U7R0naL_wZJceOOsv4svaA1O7_eLB-tSwGdJwvpCycOdLUa_-dTQrgvQB0vsQ8YUB39IViQIt__Y64idX8XTO8PzFgwbogOqmFJ3J0NFXpCjhAN0sHJ6R93JMCRm35tPXd38a31Kum2G6bt6cRGqvQvG2dLiy0gTzqYq5Ih5kFAIM_2iJL6zHE/w426-h640/tgc%204.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But they quickly discover that the nightmare has not ended after all! Unseen forces shake their home until it collapses on them, killing Marie instantly. Paul lives for a little longer. . .long enough to see the true face of the demon in Andre's dog! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We leave the sad tale as Paul dies while the dog laughs at him.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5gESf5WLDZzhTjJ2bGt6QyHVMQL2Dq5PXjMKQt6ZnrEl4HAp3Tpuej76M6KcoQ2w1yeMdDnlah4lp5rlDXB31DotiiUrC3Ou8CLbIOhcqWYpEc2l-kQshGRuhJTc0Rk5vO-aCSQihgO2Gzq1hXR_KS3ScfHO1M-ZWVuyjx2ff5V6eVlCvN1Rhln9YDU/s1600/tgc5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5gESf5WLDZzhTjJ2bGt6QyHVMQL2Dq5PXjMKQt6ZnrEl4HAp3Tpuej76M6KcoQ2w1yeMdDnlah4lp5rlDXB31DotiiUrC3Ou8CLbIOhcqWYpEc2l-kQshGRuhJTc0Rk5vO-aCSQihgO2Gzq1hXR_KS3ScfHO1M-ZWVuyjx2ff5V6eVlCvN1Rhln9YDU/w426-h640/tgc5.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The End.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE REVIEW:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And we have a good start to this issue! A chilling little tale of demonic possession set against the background of medieval witch trial fever. It's a long chunk of a story and that gives it time to slowly burn instead of feeling rushed like a lot of these anthology stories do. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's backed up by some nicely-detailed artwork by the great Ernie Chan. . .here still being credited as Ernie Chua, so it's some of his earlier work. Not up to his later stuff I'm more used to, but still very nice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, a dark little tale that takes its time and does everything right. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">NEXT!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">A VERY PRIVATE HELL!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">SCRIPT: Robert Kanigher</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">PENCILS: Frank Redondo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">INKS: Frank Redondo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE STORY:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Family man Tyrone is having an affair with a younger woman named Tina. When Tina tries to break things off and mocks him for being old enough to be her father, her laughter drives Tyrone to push Tina onto the subway tracks, where she is killed by the train.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVLQNijR5WRJiBjXKQqPDLV8WbZhxoyvaS2npEfCES1RHwit6S-DGY0p-okjULSGbZ3zymPk0FmZEyoh1RbnfXBL-NQgEIwjHUu7OvF8Hv9kNst3ndqESIw7A94AhJisSPziJhVdbFz4SrovrVGaXAOYIvl1WWEaOggWHB7tsfadyYSleiniTuYCnvNY/s1600/tgc6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVLQNijR5WRJiBjXKQqPDLV8WbZhxoyvaS2npEfCES1RHwit6S-DGY0p-okjULSGbZ3zymPk0FmZEyoh1RbnfXBL-NQgEIwjHUu7OvF8Hv9kNst3ndqESIw7A94AhJisSPziJhVdbFz4SrovrVGaXAOYIvl1WWEaOggWHB7tsfadyYSleiniTuYCnvNY/w426-h640/tgc6.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As time goes by after the murder, Tyrone is haunted by nightmares of Tina's mocking laughter. His wife thinks it's the pressure of his job and living in the city, and convinces him to move the family out to the country.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYjqaY1S5BvR8Uap1fSNqr2U9_cWsFSMiz1G13ZMObuvdmykIstt2Jgs4mBoBRWXpVbNAfCXx4QC3oDLT45NQSof0ifrldnbZ5Nc-kJeeVq4nZWK_ibJUIaIXS1Gj3kdwH1fVXUZIF4JFeT3bS7fZ_fqQ8cnFwANJuCaH4w8PhR4TZlr12MNujInYduU/s1600/tgc7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYjqaY1S5BvR8Uap1fSNqr2U9_cWsFSMiz1G13ZMObuvdmykIstt2Jgs4mBoBRWXpVbNAfCXx4QC3oDLT45NQSof0ifrldnbZ5Nc-kJeeVq4nZWK_ibJUIaIXS1Gj3kdwH1fVXUZIF4JFeT3bS7fZ_fqQ8cnFwANJuCaH4w8PhR4TZlr12MNujInYduU/w426-h640/tgc7.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But moving out of the city and to the countryside doesn't help. Where Tyrone's family sees beautiful trees and a nice house, Tyrone sees a decaying dump and a gloomy landscape. There's nothing good in anything Tyrone sees.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5aPy52-kJ-kLCy19eYPt5iqKxPs0ZhlXwv_e2HvgJJSUvdy6TthutDXHMUiEZUXQznh5EtuRe5ctJl18IYYHxYoC_s2G3BuryMCpfwCzQfN9aD5bQlxLAkOAG-1vMFO1xE-0dEtqWNayQ5OKBu4EAKt1Y2g4R6JOZsIhiCy_JNyzwNM7uJkglFRNqeUY/s1600/tgc8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5aPy52-kJ-kLCy19eYPt5iqKxPs0ZhlXwv_e2HvgJJSUvdy6TthutDXHMUiEZUXQznh5EtuRe5ctJl18IYYHxYoC_s2G3BuryMCpfwCzQfN9aD5bQlxLAkOAG-1vMFO1xE-0dEtqWNayQ5OKBu4EAKt1Y2g4R6JOZsIhiCy_JNyzwNM7uJkglFRNqeUY/w426-h640/tgc8.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The first night in their new home, as Tyrone struggles to sleep he hears strange noises. When he gets up to investigate, he realizes the noise is laughter. . .HER laughter! He grabs a knife from the kitchen and runs outside, believing Tina has somehow survived and is torturing him!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNRJDN16kAD1hAegBsLr-7zWyc6l5WYzEMVDkluXdj1a1h8GgRrUZVjO17IMIk5DLi_3mzNd1XE6SffTsfHZoWeyC87E3J9dDiTooEgQWLPeQKqwGI9oYgsx1pRfgFFY9qvntOqjAj60ccnHBih1r5MYGmvLIaeVxqYb5IRguClcOmuxF3Zeq6MF2acw/s1600/tgc9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNRJDN16kAD1hAegBsLr-7zWyc6l5WYzEMVDkluXdj1a1h8GgRrUZVjO17IMIk5DLi_3mzNd1XE6SffTsfHZoWeyC87E3J9dDiTooEgQWLPeQKqwGI9oYgsx1pRfgFFY9qvntOqjAj60ccnHBih1r5MYGmvLIaeVxqYb5IRguClcOmuxF3Zeq6MF2acw/w426-h640/tgc9.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tyrone stumbles through the nearby graveyard, following Tina's laughter, determined to finally end it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next morning, workers at the graveyard find Tyrone's body inside a freshly-dug grave they had readied for a funeral that morning. He had fallen in and broken his neck. The grave? It belonged to Tina! DUN-DUN-DUNNNN!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAC_RT-oFitNXV47WwMzxDAQDN1f1coUqtP8RSbsDqMMAhjtOT1Nq2Y-Qa2X07oju-xXkN1Gj3J49gVSzWsvJM2y9b961mvAH-Z4pCxh3tckqQbQ42nY8HpL3229ddLdM28MXd1VI94vTq0h_xeH5abFGaOd1D9QZSfcGcGYw8PNMD_xTE4NU6eclPOXo/s1600/tgc10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAC_RT-oFitNXV47WwMzxDAQDN1f1coUqtP8RSbsDqMMAhjtOT1Nq2Y-Qa2X07oju-xXkN1Gj3J49gVSzWsvJM2y9b961mvAH-Z4pCxh3tckqQbQ42nY8HpL3229ddLdM28MXd1VI94vTq0h_xeH5abFGaOd1D9QZSfcGcGYw8PNMD_xTE4NU6eclPOXo/w426-h640/tgc10.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The End.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE REVIEW:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Okay, not as good as the first story, but still a mighty fine read. A lot of building tension as Tyrone descends into his own private hell where nothing is good in his eyes, and then we find out it WASN'T just his own guilt driving him crazy, but Tina's vengeful ghost! Very nice. But the REAL star of the show here is the art! It's just wonderful. Lots of close-up panels and so much detail. The art here really pushes the story up a notch. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So that's two for two so far in this issue. Will we hit the home run with a third good story? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Let's find out! NEXT!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">SCRIPT: Mal Warwick</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">PENCILS: Bill Draut</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">INKS: Bill Draut</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE STORY:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Robotic aliens descend to study Earth. They are impressed with them many forms of life they see, metallic like they are. Such a shame there are so many tiny organic parasites infesting the life forms of this world.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8zju7SwapZx-yeHPTFHklBsYMJkeuuQJwTVOMBlSph8ABcX7GfA_AXvvm87uRDYh46F0uM9OLrdHjugCanwnsBC8KTe4mH9WcX9tsc1qoqSygk432TFz3Hlove3jjPa7ZpaaT6lYNmqeJU_JWn8zwkJu8QILd9FMB5uyJZG85jHyZVnItk65fEjRgr4/s1600/tgc11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8zju7SwapZx-yeHPTFHklBsYMJkeuuQJwTVOMBlSph8ABcX7GfA_AXvvm87uRDYh46F0uM9OLrdHjugCanwnsBC8KTe4mH9WcX9tsc1qoqSygk432TFz3Hlove3jjPa7ZpaaT6lYNmqeJU_JWn8zwkJu8QILd9FMB5uyJZG85jHyZVnItk65fEjRgr4/w426-h640/tgc11.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But they have a solution! They will help the beings of Earth with their infestation problem! The aliens use gas to kill all the parasites, leaving the machines free of all these tiny little humans. Now off to help another world!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4P6Yd_IC0ruez11KwB4Ao9YhD4Kzuhep24bmdNivO2OuCWAPvYghf74LOHxHhNgHxXv39v5f7f4dpfruELOoRSLbzuELao09qUJODgkadrgV3foM9xJL5bfFtzfElBw_h6qhpfjI27Z95cMMG29xlvExg40X_oYFNLaGQnzS-g3I7rDXPu9ysu52KZw/s1600/tgc12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4P6Yd_IC0ruez11KwB4Ao9YhD4Kzuhep24bmdNivO2OuCWAPvYghf74LOHxHhNgHxXv39v5f7f4dpfruELOoRSLbzuELao09qUJODgkadrgV3foM9xJL5bfFtzfElBw_h6qhpfjI27Z95cMMG29xlvExg40X_oYFNLaGQnzS-g3I7rDXPu9ysu52KZw/w426-h640/tgc12.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>The End.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE REVIEW:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And we're three for three folks! It's a short little story. Barely more than a filler at 3 pages, but it's a pretty good one. A nice little twist on the classic "alien invasion" story in which the aliens are just trying to help out a fellow machine race. The art isn't anything spectacular, but it's good and tells the story nicely. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">CONCLUSION</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Okay, NOW I have definitely keep my eye out for the first issue in this series. Wait. . .can three issues REALLY be called a series at all? I guess back in 1975 they hadn't really started doing limited series yet, which this would be if it came out a bit later on. BUT I DIGRESS!</div><div><br /></div><div>With two really solid issues reviewed in a row, I almost HAVE to find the third for next year. I now have a mission. Tales of Ghost Castle has really been one of the best series(?) of Bronze Age horror anthologies I've read yet. It's a damn shame there are so few issues of it.</div><div><br /></div><div>As far as the issue at hand goes, three nicely-written stories, backed up by some very good artwork means I give this one the official Longbox Junk gold seal of approval! If you're looking for some cool Bronze Age horror/suspense stories then you won't go wrong with Tales of Ghost Castle (I'm just gonna assume issue #1 is a winner too). </div><div><br /></div><div>These issues haven't been reprinted or collected in English (it looks like there are some French reprints), so you'll have to grab the actual comics. I found both of mine in the back issue bins (Paid two bucks for one and five bucks for the other) so they're out there. Keep your eyes peeled, Tales of Ghost Castle is some quality Bronze Age spooky stuff!</div><div><br /></div><div>UP NEXT. . .</div><div><br /></div><div>I've got a special treat for my Longbox Junk readers. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm digging into the definitely NON-Junk end of my collection to do a GOLDEN AGE horror review! That's right. . .I've got a gen-u-wine EC horror comic for you! The kind of stuff that brought on the Comics Code! Because you deserve it!</div><div><br /></div><div>Seriously, as far as I can tell, mine will be the FIRST review of this Golden Age goodie that's ever been done. EC'S VAULT OF HORROR #36!</div><div><br /></div><div>Be there or be square.</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Atomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07048497340899834399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025939866108320406.post-71000231937058537362023-10-24T01:02:00.002-07:002023-10-24T01:04:37.238-07:00Longbox Junk Halloween Horror 2023 Part 13 - Supernatural Thrillers #5 (1973)Welcome to Longbox Junk, where I just keep on piling in comic reviews nobody asked for!<div><br /></div><div>We're up to part THIRTEEN of the 2023 Longbox Junk Halloween Party! Looking around the room, I see that there's something missing. Let's see. . .monsters, aliens, vampires, ghosts, werewolves. . .GOT IT! Let's invite a MUMMY to this thing!</div><div><br /></div><div>Number thirteen. Lucky or unlucky? Let's find out!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">SUPERNATURAL THRILLERS #5</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Marvel (1973)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hqL29K-YCetwA9URvsPcXS7h0hr5A0EmcgdTqVKfI717KybnQ3fGtuzGWDMLAIknemSa3KjbNqy9S8UqbeWPfZb1ArjYpi1XSdtmlnjpr5YFftTFM5-91Q0Whx6jKzbQoyJVcJZDdmjWtqUMFTB5nBe26Nk3naK7XLLzih8PBjX7MMhuVH7kxcK0CAE/s605/supernaturalthrillers5cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hqL29K-YCetwA9URvsPcXS7h0hr5A0EmcgdTqVKfI717KybnQ3fGtuzGWDMLAIknemSa3KjbNqy9S8UqbeWPfZb1ArjYpi1XSdtmlnjpr5YFftTFM5-91Q0Whx6jKzbQoyJVcJZDdmjWtqUMFTB5nBe26Nk3naK7XLLzih8PBjX7MMhuVH7kxcK0CAE/w424-h640/supernaturalthrillers5cover.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>COVER: Rich Buckler (with John Romita, Sr.)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE COVER:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I really like this cover. Rich Buckler does a fine job of capturing the looming menace of the bandaged bad guy! This is a cover that displays the FULL fury of Mighty Marvel Bombast with all the text. . .I can almost hear a guy doing an overblown, yet earnest, narration over an old-school movie trailer. Overall, this is a great Halloween cover and a frequent flier on my October Halloween theme "Wall O' Covers" display.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">THE LIVING MUMMY!</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>SCRIPT: Steve Gerber</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>PENCILS: Rich Buckler</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>INKS: Frank Chiaramonte</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE STORY:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We begin our tale in Israeli-occupied Egypt. . .The Gaza Strip, 1973. A pair of Israeli soldiers have a horrifying encounter in the middle of the night with a gigantic bandaged being. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The encounter leaves one soldier dead as the creature wanders off into the night. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH8PEPGmWaVMGoQQCDTuzi43DlMI-a9BNZH4Y48asE_RYT9fnMqlXBZE3TEg2pGTOulsiI_TH6EN-Bcyx-vOUtC4M9l2RKG-L19hcfAvLjUrvPHK7QkOP6ddsa_8FpGXtlAkx56d6Xwawy72wX2W4fsJRz6XS5Iuy7CuTdr2ThPpkTMOECKWvc-8MYV0s/s1371/st1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1371" data-original-width="937" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH8PEPGmWaVMGoQQCDTuzi43DlMI-a9BNZH4Y48asE_RYT9fnMqlXBZE3TEg2pGTOulsiI_TH6EN-Bcyx-vOUtC4M9l2RKG-L19hcfAvLjUrvPHK7QkOP6ddsa_8FpGXtlAkx56d6Xwawy72wX2W4fsJRz6XS5Iuy7CuTdr2ThPpkTMOECKWvc-8MYV0s/w438-h640/st1.JPG" width="438" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Shifting scenes to Cairo several days later, we are introduced to Ron and Janice, two anthropologists, as well as their friend and mentor, Doctor Skarab, which is in no way a villain name. Nope. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The three of them have been working together to solve a historical mystery. . .a missing African tribe and a missing Pharaoh from a little known period of African history. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Skarab has just finished translating a papyrus that sheds some light on their quest.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGT8a2sjmm8KkTGg0NlpCoe5VHOdcNkJ8X_JC4MZofmlTsI7kEhNDjHT1StvQgNh87jAJpUsOWwshGVfXU6SeccEMsAG-jiYgRySRaenNxrReqXo6AetkYWujWr9eJTaiaDZmo7pXd5OXkqnOUZwa3ZE0J28NVbHwz2sZJzAKt8du3z6KUENy7RLbG5A/s1398/st2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1398" data-original-width="948" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGT8a2sjmm8KkTGg0NlpCoe5VHOdcNkJ8X_JC4MZofmlTsI7kEhNDjHT1StvQgNh87jAJpUsOWwshGVfXU6SeccEMsAG-jiYgRySRaenNxrReqXo6AetkYWujWr9eJTaiaDZmo7pXd5OXkqnOUZwa3ZE0J28NVbHwz2sZJzAKt8du3z6KUENy7RLbG5A/w434-h640/st2.JPG" width="434" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The papyrus tells the story of the Pharaoh Arem-Set and how he enslaved an African tribe called the Swarilis to build a temple to his glory. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Swarilis had a mighty king named N'Kantu, a giant of a man whose spirit was never broken by the abuse heaped on him by the Egyptians. At night, he and the rest of the tribe plotted rebellion and escape. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQ69-usYrRmZtWRMhAWg8LFC6ZPpla4g0GP5c6xKZJeu4TyCzEz091p1fJHSqr-8h7QHFoeNWmSnFF_-_yWD7lLQ7DKaWR0wnGb6julh9u38SXRtL0STof-A2h7RCBs1r9PHdOIIJepK8O9TWhEy1Dx9AAHu1WYl9gGfAyzNGqhk_Fabp8Ms5ZUjHrg4/s1409/st3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1409" data-original-width="975" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQ69-usYrRmZtWRMhAWg8LFC6ZPpla4g0GP5c6xKZJeu4TyCzEz091p1fJHSqr-8h7QHFoeNWmSnFF_-_yWD7lLQ7DKaWR0wnGb6julh9u38SXRtL0STof-A2h7RCBs1r9PHdOIIJepK8O9TWhEy1Dx9AAHu1WYl9gGfAyzNGqhk_Fabp8Ms5ZUjHrg4/w442-h640/st3.JPG" width="442" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Learning of the rebellion through his high priest, Nephrus, the Pharaoh decides that once his temple is finished, he will put the entire Swarili tribe to death .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But somehow, N'Kantu learned of the Pharaoh's plans to destroy his tribe. And so, when the temple was complete and the tribe were being led into the depths to be killed, N'Kantu and the Swarili's strike!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The slaves lead a bloody revolt to the very halls of the Pharaoh's palace. N'Kantu kills the Pharaoh with a spear, and then rushes in to find and kill the high priest!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9nG-Oqh0fxz5mIluFlTRDLvpFYZVMz3fn2D-GgRGHloIGfLcImHs18X81DVpBUUVjvdQWhFSJgvP9b6ih1ViHzmNwVi3fQb5oxTod78IdY7NCd5BLvNdmwv01__oQf1_zwmlyl6AFxpY00n26nT-JhH-_8HyWQPQbHvp29bg0KjdVsVCMzUx_ALNPgPs/s1409/st4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1409" data-original-width="980" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9nG-Oqh0fxz5mIluFlTRDLvpFYZVMz3fn2D-GgRGHloIGfLcImHs18X81DVpBUUVjvdQWhFSJgvP9b6ih1ViHzmNwVi3fQb5oxTod78IdY7NCd5BLvNdmwv01__oQf1_zwmlyl6AFxpY00n26nT-JhH-_8HyWQPQbHvp29bg0KjdVsVCMzUx_ALNPgPs/w446-h640/st4.JPG" width="446" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As N'Kantu confronts Nephrus, the wicked priest throws a paralyzing drug into the African King's eyes! Unable to move or lead his people, the rebellion is quickly put down and Nephrus drags K'Kantu into the temple to enact his revenge on the rebellious slave King!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">N'Kantu is forced to take even more paralyzing drugs, as well as a concoction that Nephrus tells the unfortunate King will make him immortal! And then, the full wickedness of the priest's punishment is made horribly clear as N'Kantu is wrapped in bandages and put into a coffin, where Nephrus tells him he will remain, alive but unable to move. . .forever.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But shortly after N'Kantu is buried alive, a massive earthquake completely destroys the city and temple. Nephrus escapes alive, but his fate is lost to history. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zeuPVqc1zvNeIF_4yj5I-V6h_awyjMtLFNiRAPk9XYQD-6u4cioaeXBa6WC2qYkYcEQHdCxfIlDBNBVMgBkCNQf35l2uXbbAFt7vsqdibnOabnj322-XDA8qTwtPrkSNtOAH6ouv-pSShPmJ1ApumpfLGhPHlH1nrw1YxaaW4kI3-fQ09CdDen4ENUA/s1409/st5.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1409" data-original-width="980" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zeuPVqc1zvNeIF_4yj5I-V6h_awyjMtLFNiRAPk9XYQD-6u4cioaeXBa6WC2qYkYcEQHdCxfIlDBNBVMgBkCNQf35l2uXbbAFt7vsqdibnOabnj322-XDA8qTwtPrkSNtOAH6ouv-pSShPmJ1ApumpfLGhPHlH1nrw1YxaaW4kI3-fQ09CdDen4ENUA/w446-h640/st5.JPG" width="446" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After he's finished telling the strange tale on the papyrus, Doctor Skarab begins to monologue in an ABSOLUTELY non-villainous way about how he believes the is the ancestor of the High Priest Nephrus, and that if the story on the papyrus is true (as he believes), then the secret of immortality could be found if they could only find where N'Kantu is buried and then study him! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ron just sort of laughs it all off as Doctor Skarab just needing some rest. After all, you'd have to be crazy to believe all that, right? RIGHT?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qQc92vbvidGjQKsFQ3nTccmB26NsuhcApGebS22PTMh5biimbex8r9fYLpPtbaDNN5hQY_1rysy89LtzU9WsZEDvPKuUhfR8UdMziOpjdLjIleY6OysEl_uDNbFYfa2sjg9VxzBxJAmUBh7aP1DIiIUYRAl2uEG3eU8LGeD3MdKo5HLkXNUqZRJyvAo/s1430/st6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1430" data-original-width="980" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qQc92vbvidGjQKsFQ3nTccmB26NsuhcApGebS22PTMh5biimbex8r9fYLpPtbaDNN5hQY_1rysy89LtzU9WsZEDvPKuUhfR8UdMziOpjdLjIleY6OysEl_uDNbFYfa2sjg9VxzBxJAmUBh7aP1DIiIUYRAl2uEG3eU8LGeD3MdKo5HLkXNUqZRJyvAo/w438-h640/st6.JPG" width="438" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">IN THE MEANTIME. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The mummy has somehow been drawn to Cairo, where it is wreaking havoc through the city, confused at its strange surroundings and not understanding why he's there. Doctor Skarab sees the news reports of the enraged creature bashing his way around Cairo and tells Ron and Janice that this is their chance to try and capture the mummy and study it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As the three of them rush off, they don't realize that the mummy has been drawn to Skarab's home. He arrives moments after they leave and falls, exhausted, to the floor of Skarab's study into a deep sleep.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3yHkVYjGx4QNMZuJDXpl2JcwUIUt89Ng9AA9k2xiK1wf5-1ekuXhFVf0TfTGiVP0mixJy_oyq_OY9WetBKV9jEfBlM5OBnsAAZ4vtV-bLBceMqJMGdlgHwCEsz1L9e96z8XLmnnjvXU-iZo5180au-eldMuYVnlPey9dEr__K_1_UJEL5NGhj5vPem8/s1404/st7.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1404" data-original-width="980" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3yHkVYjGx4QNMZuJDXpl2JcwUIUt89Ng9AA9k2xiK1wf5-1ekuXhFVf0TfTGiVP0mixJy_oyq_OY9WetBKV9jEfBlM5OBnsAAZ4vtV-bLBceMqJMGdlgHwCEsz1L9e96z8XLmnnjvXU-iZo5180au-eldMuYVnlPey9dEr__K_1_UJEL5NGhj5vPem8/w446-h640/st7.JPG" width="446" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When Doctor Skarab and company return, they are astounded to find the object of their search just laying there on the study floor sleeping. Skarab immediately grabs a pistol and tries to shoot the mummy in the head, only to discover that bullets don't harm it. Worse, the shot wakes the mummy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The mummy rises, begging Skarab to save him in ancient Egyptian. . .calling the doctor Nephrus. Janice and Ron don't CARE what the mummy is trying to say. They get the heck outta there!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-tI6K8C0Ije2-Ky2ZGtoOQrilJk79S8gOarC0xTox4866bLQYV31eyzhMJOg-MRfsPg4380Qbpl7jrU_8s5bneC62vDK93U_M7joYTL-OYIAqLnoNfkhoKc6ZJms1S38RHFVuEQddJ11XuRoXc-pvvfJMYEi54s9dEd1a77h243-oJc4H1NZyCdMQpro/s1404/st8.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1404" data-original-width="970" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-tI6K8C0Ije2-Ky2ZGtoOQrilJk79S8gOarC0xTox4866bLQYV31eyzhMJOg-MRfsPg4380Qbpl7jrU_8s5bneC62vDK93U_M7joYTL-OYIAqLnoNfkhoKc6ZJms1S38RHFVuEQddJ11XuRoXc-pvvfJMYEi54s9dEd1a77h243-oJc4H1NZyCdMQpro/w442-h640/st8.JPG" width="442" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Outside Skarab's house, the police have followed the mummy and are setting up to rush in just as Janice and Ron rush out. They hit the mummy with some tear gas as it chases Janice and Ron, but all that does is make it angry and sort of sad for some reason.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The police open fire and find out that their bullets don't hurt the mummy either. . .but now they've made it mad! He pulls up a power pole and gets ready to deliver a sound beating to the horrified police.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Janice sees the sparking electricity from the live wires and realizes that the mummy doesn't understand the danger. She goes from fleeing victim to would-be savior in a snap, shouting that SHE MUST SAVE HIM! While Ron and Skarab try to restrain her.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bMWpRteFJ8nbzNiVGb7LjhuGEi8IPgKWlATfJsAzRVZII7qSYSz2JtjVppAkLZv2Dg6VhtJEtWSTUYHvEXUE6syXruCSleAEUdN8wId7Z2_aPPJr1KJHAWXPrZStMpIHLVg_Ct1ORZfrU-ooBMEP8qpeMRhr5bvmvCcx2LfaAB1QZuGsTuqOfKVj0vs/s1404/st9.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1404" data-original-width="959" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bMWpRteFJ8nbzNiVGb7LjhuGEi8IPgKWlATfJsAzRVZII7qSYSz2JtjVppAkLZv2Dg6VhtJEtWSTUYHvEXUE6syXruCSleAEUdN8wId7Z2_aPPJr1KJHAWXPrZStMpIHLVg_Ct1ORZfrU-ooBMEP8qpeMRhr5bvmvCcx2LfaAB1QZuGsTuqOfKVj0vs/w438-h640/st9.JPG" width="438" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But Janice's shouts are in vain. The mummy steps into some water and instantly learns a very valuable lesson in modern energy as it is electrocuted!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After the monster falls, Skarab steps forward and tells the police that he wants to study the creature for not at ALL villainous purposes. They don't know what else to do with the thing, and so the police give him permission to take the body and we end the story with the mummy laying there in the street, dead. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">OR IS HE? DUN-DUN-DUNNNN!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpK3WYEB4BX3M_E79_6KVISI54KL-DZfxRqCvLkC03JUm7OFU_-vjgRhQdBoAEZurf_KMsryBjOA5czS2_EbOHb66McBQY8dB8ExUCLb7LACPTj6WKY8SNVwnDrPEKXUidLE7WfN0sWnMrghdNxWSdJ9aPAvlafvF7B3ztRsfOkIHrRnNtg-Rd55kd3po/s1403/st10.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1403" data-original-width="959" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpK3WYEB4BX3M_E79_6KVISI54KL-DZfxRqCvLkC03JUm7OFU_-vjgRhQdBoAEZurf_KMsryBjOA5czS2_EbOHb66McBQY8dB8ExUCLb7LACPTj6WKY8SNVwnDrPEKXUidLE7WfN0sWnMrghdNxWSdJ9aPAvlafvF7B3ztRsfOkIHrRnNtg-Rd55kd3po/w438-h640/st10.JPG" width="438" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The End.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE REVIEW:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not bad. I liked it. The story has a definite B-Movie vibe to it that makes it fun. Ron and Janice's oblivious ignorance to their part in Doctor Skarab's pretty obvious villain origin story is just so rich and cheesy to read. You can tell that Steve Gerber was having a bit of fun writing this one. Underneath all the darkness and overblown drama, there's an undercurrent of subversive humor that takes a little while to even see is there. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But slathered thickly on top of that undercurrent is a pretty basic "Monster on the loose" story. And that's a fun story too! Reading this, it occurred to me that there's really not that many mummy comics out there. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I guess it's kind of hard to keep following the same "He was buried alive!" story path over and over again. Gerber does a decent job of switching things up by making the mummy an African slave instead of an Egyptian nobleman or priest like you would normally expect in a mummy story.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the art side of things, Rich Buckler was a VERY prolific mainstay artist. Not the greatest Bronze Age artist, and not my favorite, but a solid artist with a LOT of good work under his belt. This isn't Buckler's best work, but it's pretty good. There's even a few standout moments here and there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">CONCLUSION</span></b></div><div><br /></div>All in all, this is a comic that's just plain fun. It's cheesy and ridiculous and ends pretty abruptly, but that doesn't stop this from being just a fun monster story backed up with some pretty good art. And really. . .what more can you ask for in a comic book? I've said it before, and I'll say it again. . .not every comic has to be a masterpiece. Sometimes you just want a fun story!</div><div><br /></div><div>I guess enough people agreed with that sentiment to carry what would SEEM to be a one and done monster story forward into several decades worth of appearances, right up to his recent "death" at the hands of Deadpool in 2014. Forty years? Not a bad run for a character that seems to die in his very first story.</div><div><br /></div><div>I can heartily recommend this issue to anyone looking for a good Bronze Age monster story, as well as the remaining 9 out of 10 issues of Supernatural Thrillers starring the character, mostly in the hands of Tony Isabella and artist Val Mayerik (who does a MUCH better job with the mummy than Rich Buckler, in my humble opinion). I WAS going to do a review of one of the Isabella/Mayerik issues, but I just love the cover on this one more. </div><div><br /></div><div>Finding this issue (or any issue of Supernatural Thrillers) in the bargain bin probably isn't going to happen (but never say never!). They aren't the kind of "valuable" that will put your kids through school, but there's a little money in them for collectors who care about that sort of thing. </div><div><br /></div><div>The good news is that the issues have all been reprinted at least 3 times in various collections and omnibus editions, so if you just want to read the stories without digging too deep into your wallet, you can do that. </div><div><br /></div><div>Overall, if you're looking for a fun Bronze Age monster story, Supernatural Thrillers #5 is where it's at!</div><div><br /></div><div>UP NEXT. . .</div><div><br /></div><div>How about a little more DC-flavor Bronze Age spooky stuff?</div><div>TALES OF GHOST CASTLE #3!</div><div><br /></div><div>Be there or be square.</div>Atomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07048497340899834399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025939866108320406.post-38578629692585638572023-10-23T00:19:00.003-07:002023-10-23T00:45:30.702-07:00Longbox Junk Halloween Horror 2023 Part 12 - Secrets of Haunted House #5 (1975)Welcome to Longbox Junk, where I write comic reviews even though nobody asked me to!<div><br /></div><div>*Looks around the room with a smile of satisfaction* Yep, yep. . . a mighty fine Halloween party this year. A MIGHTY fine party indeed. We're all the way up to part TWELVE. </div><div><br /></div><div>There's been a clunker here and there, and that's to be expected, but overall, the Longbox Junk 2023 Halloween Horror Marathon has been going along very nicely.</div><div><br /></div><div>So let's keep things going with a look at a. . .Halloween comic. Wait, what? <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">SECRETS OF HAUNTED HOUSE #5</span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">DC (1975)</span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGT6ExtEHy-v4_nzLKIVkccFaoxGsJLO4BMnP9cNrVVqCtwihXSieo7-vnTm9yDq1NJSZFG_Hj1t_y-GUyzuF2cAVxokVjAAuTis50VHkI2CKC2HiKNSou2JL4bLJCL9uX7I5VtnT1-pEajOo0cHzqTAaJyT-uUOsdqyrtqtX7udBywiRV5VgyvP7GMkQ/s620/secretsofhauntedhouse5cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGT6ExtEHy-v4_nzLKIVkccFaoxGsJLO4BMnP9cNrVVqCtwihXSieo7-vnTm9yDq1NJSZFG_Hj1t_y-GUyzuF2cAVxokVjAAuTis50VHkI2CKC2HiKNSou2JL4bLJCL9uX7I5VtnT1-pEajOo0cHzqTAaJyT-uUOsdqyrtqtX7udBywiRV5VgyvP7GMkQ/w412-h640/secretsofhauntedhouse5cover.jpg" width="412" /></a></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b>COVER: Bernie Wrightson</b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b>THE COVER:</b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's by Bernie Wrightson. It's good. That's a given. But this isn't just a GOOD Halloween cover, this is a GREAT Halloween cover! If I had to pick out a top ten list of Halloween covers, this one would definitely be somewhere on it. Let's get inside this thing!</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b>THE STORIES:</b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">THREE stories for one quarter. That's like eight cents a story! AND a Bernie Wrightson cover? THAT'S some good value right there, folks. Let's check these stories out one at a time.</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">GUNSLINGER! </span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b>SCRIPT: Bill Reilly & Guy Lillian</b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b>PENCILS: John Albano</b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b>INKS: Vince Colletta</b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b>THE STORY:</b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Kirk Cordell was a mob hitman. One of the fastest guns around, and he knew it. He often imagined himself as a legendary quick-draw gunfighter in the old west. On this stormy night, we follow Kirk as he goes to visit his old friend, Neal. There's a hit out on Neal and, friend or not, Kirk is going to be the one to collect.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Neal welcomes his friend, but quickly learns what Kirk's business with him is. Kirk allows Neal to go for his gun for old time's sake, but Neal doesn't have a chance against Kirk's speed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3uaujwn4ktRnm7-udtWA9kSF3RXMEYt4TvJb0fm5XE6NzGl4fqBKWSahUTpet0aCeMgJc2OHnmSi1HxHjaRYDEuHMsImKs0X8kd7QezArhc3-mtLUIqoXT0LHRjDWESPsgQmAxYARzXRQYt0BVF_KDCq5LKMYCJqEjj-L4xUYOiLfejCsoogeTdwf84/s1495/hh1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1495" data-original-width="1006" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3uaujwn4ktRnm7-udtWA9kSF3RXMEYt4TvJb0fm5XE6NzGl4fqBKWSahUTpet0aCeMgJc2OHnmSi1HxHjaRYDEuHMsImKs0X8kd7QezArhc3-mtLUIqoXT0LHRjDWESPsgQmAxYARzXRQYt0BVF_KDCq5LKMYCJqEjj-L4xUYOiLfejCsoogeTdwf84/w430-h640/hh1.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Seeing some potential witnesses outside, Kirk decides to wait a while before leaving. He settles in for a nap, with his friend's dead body, still clutching his pistol, laying nearby.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRwYVIEZy-hvaDxggjf2J90rTQcfEkfw3709YgBP-zOOF95iNMLH7HXNSRm7BOdSRbf494iauOjbZz88ftUtl6oduHUyZfVS48gP_nbnAT-aWg1mzfGFSZQjpfq3pZs45VTxpyidp2bya-lM-nwyDEHnHU2Q1NU4xuxFmqEghq1wYDVzBrAj-8FND-yc/s1526/hh2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1526" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRwYVIEZy-hvaDxggjf2J90rTQcfEkfw3709YgBP-zOOF95iNMLH7HXNSRm7BOdSRbf494iauOjbZz88ftUtl6oduHUyZfVS48gP_nbnAT-aWg1mzfGFSZQjpfq3pZs45VTxpyidp2bya-lM-nwyDEHnHU2Q1NU4xuxFmqEghq1wYDVzBrAj-8FND-yc/w430-h640/hh2.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As he dozes, Kirk has a horrific nightmare of death itself challenging the hitman to a gunfight! It's a gunfight that Kirk loses. The sound of a shot brings the police, where they find the two dead men. They're confused as to how Neal was able to kill Kirk after being dead for an hour. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Medical Examiner tells them it was rigor mortis. Neal's contracting muscles pulled the trigger.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Or DID they? DUN-DUN-DUNNNN!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE56g-FXzp_-2YD2_rftGgScMfm3HCrnDG6G9t15Tn5tR5xE-zL0G-O0BMbDDQTaA9fNpO-SHAnB3n9OxAaqygXyDlBPCdijgvVxVYS8LBu1Ag1yeeVklQ07DvXZEnUmQ2YtMBLGyImRbr8lzYCyiRE5YakdC-fA4TfZF_y4UgMaMKSrvu1QuHDwOv-NA/s1534/hh3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1534" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE56g-FXzp_-2YD2_rftGgScMfm3HCrnDG6G9t15Tn5tR5xE-zL0G-O0BMbDDQTaA9fNpO-SHAnB3n9OxAaqygXyDlBPCdijgvVxVYS8LBu1Ag1yeeVklQ07DvXZEnUmQ2YtMBLGyImRbr8lzYCyiRE5YakdC-fA4TfZF_y4UgMaMKSrvu1QuHDwOv-NA/w428-h640/hh3.jpg" width="428" /></a></div> The End.</div><div><br /><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b>THE REVIEW:</b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Okay, not a bad start. It's a pretty enjoyable little "Death from beyond the grave" story that would be right at home as an old Twilight Zone episode. I'm not entirely sure it qualifies as a "Halloween Shocker" as advertised on the cover, but it's still a decent little story. The art is also very nice, with lots of detail and a good sense of movement. Overall, a good start to the issue!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">NEXT!</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">WHAT AM I BID?</span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b>SCRIPT: Arnold Drake</b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b>PENCILS: Tenny Henson</b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b>INKS: Tenny Henson</b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b>THE STORY:</b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Peggy Marlow was beautiful and ruthless. An auction agent procuring only the best items, and not afraid of using any underhanded method she needed to get the sale.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9wAc2_OTzHQLeLG5DqOxtFAqH-L9IRyMevvIRYzx6dBoUIbmvd2_xUBp69fZ6rAzqn7AbAbEJ60R3nvMKfbvLyCLdpcHOnrPvGo0eyYqA7L8Xn-hyQUKOJyXpI0CYpli8N2lxiNUNUVKS86m7cO2MAAf-oxOa9UrAAQa-P0g2G5MqtVed-95BZZcnIs/s1512/hh4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9wAc2_OTzHQLeLG5DqOxtFAqH-L9IRyMevvIRYzx6dBoUIbmvd2_xUBp69fZ6rAzqn7AbAbEJ60R3nvMKfbvLyCLdpcHOnrPvGo0eyYqA7L8Xn-hyQUKOJyXpI0CYpli8N2lxiNUNUVKS86m7cO2MAAf-oxOa9UrAAQa-P0g2G5MqtVed-95BZZcnIs/w434-h640/hh4.jpg" width="434" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But Peggy was also a bit careless, and people started to notice items missing, or fake items being sold, with the profits going missing. But still, Peggy was the best, and so the auction house still used her.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWrRji7aJy-OilX7SN6SLVq6ABhE-nANuvr5Il8ENDHikf5zgRZsMLUXgVSk-Mt9LAF581j2cxWfoOIXYKluHdy87lcsSOmlBkIvCjt5mcbwltLQVdh_TQfgCalOADjEJfuva6Q_d3MginRdGhvIRCcSnWNI32AZym2j6PstljKtFm4LYxGdkzASxPgxo/s1526/hh5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1526" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWrRji7aJy-OilX7SN6SLVq6ABhE-nANuvr5Il8ENDHikf5zgRZsMLUXgVSk-Mt9LAF581j2cxWfoOIXYKluHdy87lcsSOmlBkIvCjt5mcbwltLQVdh_TQfgCalOADjEJfuva6Q_d3MginRdGhvIRCcSnWNI32AZym2j6PstljKtFm4LYxGdkzASxPgxo/w430-h640/hh5.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But at an auction in Paris, Peggy is caught red-handed selling a fake Persian vase for an huge sum. The owner of the actual vase blackmails Peggy in exchange for his not revealing her. She will conduct an auction for him.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And so Peggy travels to the isolated Arabian kingdom of Sakbar, where she finds herself in a palatial palace. The auction is to take place at midnight.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1cgYw_kGpZ3P1h_a5VkYU1cdtUK8qVe067kNKiimb6GQNpsaGFKQhxGUdROTv7Gvi1Cx0r7qe1UVIDC-XYzGVvhp6bZ_bf7Ik6s6u5_5CAg4wOZD3J96wlcfnCl3UP9wCTmlNb5weajsLztmcmG6bwff_87Ptcld05-Mm-w36PHfv1lkO14pCBCFbKk/s1527/hh6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1527" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1cgYw_kGpZ3P1h_a5VkYU1cdtUK8qVe067kNKiimb6GQNpsaGFKQhxGUdROTv7Gvi1Cx0r7qe1UVIDC-XYzGVvhp6bZ_bf7Ik6s6u5_5CAg4wOZD3J96wlcfnCl3UP9wCTmlNb5weajsLztmcmG6bwff_87Ptcld05-Mm-w36PHfv1lkO14pCBCFbKk/w430-h640/hh6.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Peggy is a bit confused about the revealing outfit she is expected to wear, but is told that it is tradition in that country. As she is led to the auction, Peggy is horrified to discover that it is HER that is going to be auctioned off to the highest bidder!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3ywyeFrL1FoxNj98n5eEkdeibkIjH_y2SEJktsBKwCZWrCvM_AEFNQedorLa2YF4xcPNXDUcYJ2GlVqddctaFyPpzfgNNQJj-Fraupvr4hmZxAdw2PQn0oxRAt0P2kVzFYr98cTZMef9NPzBNvo0m-tRdFzPAEqkI0u74K8E2S5JE68CE46HqJejtc8/s1523/hh7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1523" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3ywyeFrL1FoxNj98n5eEkdeibkIjH_y2SEJktsBKwCZWrCvM_AEFNQedorLa2YF4xcPNXDUcYJ2GlVqddctaFyPpzfgNNQJj-Fraupvr4hmZxAdw2PQn0oxRAt0P2kVzFYr98cTZMef9NPzBNvo0m-tRdFzPAEqkI0u74K8E2S5JE68CE46HqJejtc8/w430-h640/hh7.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The End.</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b>THE REVIEW:</b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Not a bad little story, overall. But, like the first, I'm finding it hard to connect this little tale of a woman who reached too hard and paid the price with Halloween. Hmmmm. . .MAYBE I shouldn't believe everything I see on the cover of a comic book. Go figure. The story is pretty good, but the main draw here is the gorgeous artwork! It has that certain Bronze Age style that didn't seem to last very long. . .a sort of flowing pop art look that I really like a lot!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, not a Halloween story, but not bad. NEXT!</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">THE STARS, LIKE PALLBEARERS</span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">SCRIPT: David Michelinie</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">PENCILS: Ernie Chan</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">INKS: Bill Draut</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE STORY:</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A space traveler named Frank Munro is jolted from suspended animation by a malfunction in his sleep tube. As he heads for another tube to continue his sleep during the long journey, he discovers bodies of his fellow colonists. . .drained of blood! DUN-DUN-DUNNN!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi660fzr2ePtBkwIDUIvB8XQJfO3UJbu9cGoX_f2_Hmugroa_13mFFGG5Qmrh4aZ0ZIODeNf0rbEkwr-S9J1SwH0BM4vOaNA3EOM_OvrijCx2iSBaB2i0kcGbsFdcTkPF2D_1Ig5QaNzgv17lw1JIr68Q_1Ix8Lz3JgpvUtegTLHDFYUK97l5vmBQJmvKY/s1538/hh8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1538" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi660fzr2ePtBkwIDUIvB8XQJfO3UJbu9cGoX_f2_Hmugroa_13mFFGG5Qmrh4aZ0ZIODeNf0rbEkwr-S9J1SwH0BM4vOaNA3EOM_OvrijCx2iSBaB2i0kcGbsFdcTkPF2D_1Ig5QaNzgv17lw1JIr68Q_1Ix8Lz3JgpvUtegTLHDFYUK97l5vmBQJmvKY/w426-h640/hh8.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As Munro investigates, the culprit makes himself known! There's a VAMPIRE aboard the colony ship! As he mocks the mortal, Munro runs. The vampire gives chase, enjoying a bit of sport. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A cat and mouse game between mortal and vampire ensues, with Munro barely escaping several times before he finally realizes the only way out is to destroy the ship so that the vampire can't infect the entire colony.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And so he sets a shuttlecraft to self-destruct and resigns himself to his fate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8f_J-KE2hAeRkJh-SlPD7Irtp6qD7g9kVQQDyBDoe9dvBU2Bvp05IykFYBMvsrNW_RDYA55mOJ6Yu-vA-jD4k_blfBw1qJyC1JmDsEGTjOK0pZpVnhHvN5fEz7i3xsKDqK1a2pY5ih_-o1cG-6HxBNBNDuRzJCsoGu-LE7t6k6ifa76xrQ1tmG285l_c/s1522/hh9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1522" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8f_J-KE2hAeRkJh-SlPD7Irtp6qD7g9kVQQDyBDoe9dvBU2Bvp05IykFYBMvsrNW_RDYA55mOJ6Yu-vA-jD4k_blfBw1qJyC1JmDsEGTjOK0pZpVnhHvN5fEz7i3xsKDqK1a2pY5ih_-o1cG-6HxBNBNDuRzJCsoGu-LE7t6k6ifa76xrQ1tmG285l_c/w430-h640/hh9.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Unfortunately for Munro, the vampire was able to guess what he was up to. As they confront each other one final time, the vampire shows Munro the drifting shuttle, ejected from the ship and harmless. . .OR SO HE THINKS!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As the shuttlecraft explodes outside, the brilliant light comes through the observation window, where the shadow of the frame forms the sign of the cross. . .burning the vampire to ash! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJOLpfXUVhAMUTHa87NxhNVPdcWuy8d_-ZtA4YvsMCt6r4KSrlIo0kM9bvoyOKxVwAKzcIfFySIV1ycP-2m0DHWu3fcxztv2kTj8lJ9Cm0jnzLg4qY5_y7mZtMpYkh5BPzT4Qtuk7vneKB1yct-CbQ46jRECeGWTQUsBwIV6f7zumw6WMkiKyQEJyCWc/s1538/hh10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1538" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJOLpfXUVhAMUTHa87NxhNVPdcWuy8d_-ZtA4YvsMCt6r4KSrlIo0kM9bvoyOKxVwAKzcIfFySIV1ycP-2m0DHWu3fcxztv2kTj8lJ9Cm0jnzLg4qY5_y7mZtMpYkh5BPzT4Qtuk7vneKB1yct-CbQ46jRECeGWTQUsBwIV6f7zumw6WMkiKyQEJyCWc/w426-h640/hh10.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The End.</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE REVIEW:</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I want to like this story. I REALLY want to like this story. But I don't. But WHY? It has David Michelinie. . .one of my favorite Iron Man writers! It has the great Ernie Chan. . .the artist who, in MY mind is the definitive Conan artist! This SHOULD have been a slam-dunk! A SLAMMIN' Slam dunk!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But it's not. It's the worst story in the issue. This makes me sad. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The best thing about this disappointing tale from two of my favorite creators is that it's the only story in the issue that's actually sort of a Halloween story, even if it IS Vampires in SPAAAAAACE! It's still vampires, right? RIGHT? *sigh*</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">CONCLUSION</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">So. . .two good stories and one bad. I guess Meatloaf was right when he sang that "Two out of three ain't bad". You would THINK I'd be happy with a 2 out of 3 result. But that last story sticks with me for all the wrong reasons. I can't help but wonder how two. . .count 'em. . .TWO comic legends could let me down like that. It's like. . .DOUBLE the disappointment.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But I guess putting the last story out of my mind for a moment, I can certainly recommend this issue. Just don't expect Halloween stories in this special Halloween issue of Secrets of Haunted House. The only thing Halloween to be found HERE is that awesome Bernie Wrightson cover.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The stories are clever and the art is really good on the first two stories, so there's enough meat on the bone to save this one. Too bad I can't get the nasty taste of being let down by two comic greats on the last story out of my mouth.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">UP NEXT. . .</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">That's right, folks. . .MORE Longbox Junk Halloween fun!</div><div style="text-align: left;">I've got six more to go to beat my October record, and I'm gonna do it!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Be there or be square.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Atomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07048497340899834399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025939866108320406.post-68804766958789677872023-10-19T00:15:00.002-07:002023-10-19T00:37:22.380-07:00Longbox Junk Halloween Horror 2023 Part 11 - Grimm's Ghost Stories #37 (1977)Welcome to Longbox Junk, the place to find comic reviews you never even knew you wanted!<div><br /></div><div>It's PART ELEVEN of our annual Longbox Junk Halloween Horror Marathon, folks!</div><div>We are just rolling along here. . .filling your little plastic pumpkin bucket FULL of tasty retro horror comic reviews! I'm actually a little surprised that I've been able to keep up the pace like this.</div><div><br /></div><div>So let's keep this party going with some more GHOSTS! <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">GRIMM'S GHOST STORIES #37</span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Gold Key (1977)</span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQJWuGgUJPwL0oCHf8Enc-eMhuvmA3FQXM6ZWkdOtflMSE5qiTffJYT_NZDN8oqrDnmO6SVqJDD76_hqGuCQgWjN6H9Yc8ohBv2aiv-R58BFMXZ0tUvsjaxT-uANHn1VHhrb2mCUtqIHr3r2isW3UECcDytl9EEqd1MKe5WSNNkg3mHkYKfRQNobaRW0/s602/grimmsghoststories%2037cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQJWuGgUJPwL0oCHf8Enc-eMhuvmA3FQXM6ZWkdOtflMSE5qiTffJYT_NZDN8oqrDnmO6SVqJDD76_hqGuCQgWjN6H9Yc8ohBv2aiv-R58BFMXZ0tUvsjaxT-uANHn1VHhrb2mCUtqIHr3r2isW3UECcDytl9EEqd1MKe5WSNNkg3mHkYKfRQNobaRW0/w426-h640/grimmsghoststories%2037cover.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">COVER: (?) Probably George Wilson</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE COVER:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now THERE'S a Bronze Age beauty if I've ever seen one! The painting isn't credited, but I've seen enough of his fine work to make a good guess that the great George Wilson did this cover. I'll throw his name out in ANY discussion of great comic book covers. But whether this is Wilson's work or not (and I'm pretty sure it is), this is just an AWESOME, sort of offbeat Halloween cover! Let's get inside.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE STORIES:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">FOUR stories for THREE dimes? Now that's what I call value! I see some great talent among the creative credits, so I have high hopes for this one. Let's give each story a turn, shall we? WE SHALL!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">MY FATHER IS WATCHING</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">SCRIPT: George Kashdan</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">PENCILS: Nestor Olivera</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">INKS: Nestor Olivera</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE STORY:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In sixteenth century England, a young man named Edmond is orphaned by the unfortunate passing of both mother and father. He goes into the care of his uncle Osric, where he is treated as little more than a servant. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As the days go by, Edmond begins to have strange accidents. Unknown to him, his uncle is trying to kill him, so that he may control Edmond's family fortune. But as strange as the accidents are, Edmond's explanation for remaining unharmed is even stranger. . .he claims the spirit of his dead father is protecting him!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvIaPwzfqX0U0GjW2ri3gkVENLosLIIqQbAHy09po1918kLZS911cILk9_rN3l21oKXakGTA9hb28x1-kLUsvB7-jktgZ0tdFyuASkACTYkqpcCMCV-tLN-9U0tk9mRZqXTFp5J0c5nJsCHlGKhSnixRdqRDbERMdLxggBmT4x1E1QP1Te-mo0ryPaBw/s1521/ggs1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1521" data-original-width="985" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvIaPwzfqX0U0GjW2ri3gkVENLosLIIqQbAHy09po1918kLZS911cILk9_rN3l21oKXakGTA9hb28x1-kLUsvB7-jktgZ0tdFyuASkACTYkqpcCMCV-tLN-9U0tk9mRZqXTFp5J0c5nJsCHlGKhSnixRdqRDbERMdLxggBmT4x1E1QP1Te-mo0ryPaBw/w414-h640/ggs1.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As the days go by, we see Osric try several times to kill his nephew. Each time, he is frustrated by Edmond's survival. . .which the young man swears is thanks to the intervention of his father's spirit. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrXUb00Wmx628uykXXarDTv8jiQU2CJQ1jvLlSLU5mCxT5E1Eowef23ACZVCRHv6p02K9ppJL34B5731Y0sYj03X55omMadP2MQnzoxY4qOhD-ucS-6R-ybRZS_Kv12-IzO8kOI9_nfaZsAtS4scIFr0FluntubDaTkAw9lX_fp4QGj0pPCP5mReY0Kg/s1479/ggs2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1479" data-original-width="972" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrXUb00Wmx628uykXXarDTv8jiQU2CJQ1jvLlSLU5mCxT5E1Eowef23ACZVCRHv6p02K9ppJL34B5731Y0sYj03X55omMadP2MQnzoxY4qOhD-ucS-6R-ybRZS_Kv12-IzO8kOI9_nfaZsAtS4scIFr0FluntubDaTkAw9lX_fp4QGj0pPCP5mReY0Kg/w420-h640/ggs2.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Finally, Osric decides that "accidents" aren't enough and he sneaks into Edmond's bedroom to kill him while he's sleeping and make it look like a suicide. But Osric learns the truth of Edmond's belief in his father's spirit protecting him as an unseen force turns the knife onto Osric!</div><div><br /></div><div>The next day, Osric is found dead, seemingly by suicide despite Edmond's protests that his father's spirit protected him from being murdered by his uncle. Nobody believes the young man. . .that is, until they find the gold signet ring worn by Edmond's father laying beside Osric's body. A ring he was buried with. DUN-DUN-DUNNNN!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFr1U1xVMvi5ek08Y7-erdc3fap6WTdh7Ggv3dwm09LsCneNVfRHs8FKhVi8LcYhQNZVqQWpHYXJvnl0OQTGYdmSRzlMbDV7gWN09yp5Oe4zLGG1f6UKsAXMtU5EdbW983azqm7QsC8Dds6jWwYls8DxOh72WWNCV94HTku24upGdHPrDauVXaefaB2vg/s1517/ggs3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1517" data-original-width="996" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFr1U1xVMvi5ek08Y7-erdc3fap6WTdh7Ggv3dwm09LsCneNVfRHs8FKhVi8LcYhQNZVqQWpHYXJvnl0OQTGYdmSRzlMbDV7gWN09yp5Oe4zLGG1f6UKsAXMtU5EdbW983azqm7QsC8Dds6jWwYls8DxOh72WWNCV94HTku24upGdHPrDauVXaefaB2vg/w420-h640/ggs3.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The End.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE REVIEW:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Okay. Not bad. Nothing earth-shaking, but a decent little story. A bit predictable, but not so much that it's ruined. The art is pretty good for a Gold Key comic. Like the story, nothing earth-shaking, but I DID like the artist's use of big, chunky "sound effects". You can see a couple in the first two pages I scanned.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, a pretty good start. A little predictable and not remotely scary, but still a decent enough read.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">NEXT!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">THE LAST TRUMP</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">SCRIPT: Freff (Connor Freff Cochran)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">PENCILS: Jack Sparling</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">INKS: Jack Sparling</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE STORY:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And so, we have the strange tale of two men, Roger and Don. . .one-time best friends until they went into business running a motel together, which drove a wedge between them. One night, during their weekly card game, Roger suffers a heart attack! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_rArXZuviYFDnsNsPgwZAuSIAdtJ_ks_YQABxGqIPJDp49LFTUo7A14L1e8eZtTVEFe-9xWlE5aD4X4iZa4mIrYEnOd6lQJ_2FPPfz90OJDn4Lca-7gt45EOFICAmieHRDMsfu1ri_uioG7du-vKwTHtWTGe2HYgJcsyC38BksqFlwL0aL6w7IHkfumo/s1495/ggs4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1495" data-original-width="974" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_rArXZuviYFDnsNsPgwZAuSIAdtJ_ks_YQABxGqIPJDp49LFTUo7A14L1e8eZtTVEFe-9xWlE5aD4X4iZa4mIrYEnOd6lQJ_2FPPfz90OJDn4Lca-7gt45EOFICAmieHRDMsfu1ri_uioG7du-vKwTHtWTGe2HYgJcsyC38BksqFlwL0aL6w7IHkfumo/w416-h640/ggs4.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not long after that, Don discovered that Roger's ghost was trapped in the motel. . .trapped by the game of cards he never finished. And so, to spite his former friend, Don forces Roger's ghost to play cards with him every week, with the game remaining unfinished so that Don can continue to torment the pitiful spirit. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrWUYHiRI2WNkQHRwkVeFFonQFXDRvuAWxP2w6V-W6paIdruadUWO9fDiRxZaCCXFDWodyQY_sOpQ0K8nTxUjn5jTmkyzceONiCYxzF-aTz_vVGBGbCZ2N9jQDJDOLjkjAuDmD_UFX5PN98O55g5lqG9bZAJRdvoMX8H4gRSRTZ-AsbAb8CAYU-18rJI/s1514/ggs5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1514" data-original-width="982" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrWUYHiRI2WNkQHRwkVeFFonQFXDRvuAWxP2w6V-W6paIdruadUWO9fDiRxZaCCXFDWodyQY_sOpQ0K8nTxUjn5jTmkyzceONiCYxzF-aTz_vVGBGbCZ2N9jQDJDOLjkjAuDmD_UFX5PN98O55g5lqG9bZAJRdvoMX8H4gRSRTZ-AsbAb8CAYU-18rJI/w416-h640/ggs5.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Until one stormy night, when Roger challenges Don to read the cards and see his future. Don draws the Ace of Spades, foretelling death! Don scoffs at the prediction, believing Roger has cheated in order to try to scare him into freeing the spirit. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKsqPR50ONZeZaBdtMPTrFO92d_7se_AyuRu5_4sEzhjY83grZDQUUPeT2lKp8st9PJutY5fpZpB0G74_faISG1vvbRlwufJZmHV9rATcehWFLjybMeWCoadX-kCYhgiUY8ZkTYyCGOcQ1PHsR5aEOUp6Yp2tYcKrgAc9wx8qietUb8mybyRO75t4_a7Y/s1514/ggs6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1514" data-original-width="989" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKsqPR50ONZeZaBdtMPTrFO92d_7se_AyuRu5_4sEzhjY83grZDQUUPeT2lKp8st9PJutY5fpZpB0G74_faISG1vvbRlwufJZmHV9rATcehWFLjybMeWCoadX-kCYhgiUY8ZkTYyCGOcQ1PHsR5aEOUp6Yp2tYcKrgAc9wx8qietUb8mybyRO75t4_a7Y/w418-h640/ggs6.jpg" width="418" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>But then a gust of wind blows the cards out of the room! Don chases after them, not wanting to lose his hold over Roger's ghost. . .but in his rush, he falls over the edge of the cliff the motel sits on.</div><div><br /></div><div>The next day, police checking for damage after the storm discover Don's body. . .still clutching the Ace of Spades. Roger's ghost played his last trump and finally won the game. DUN-DUN-DUNNNN!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59njMN5MxKDL91a8m3ZVv8IzEZeoqqwvz9HhJ5Xl7NT8RYA6ZqMCZFslvkoNZfNn6Shm7uSBZ3rnhTgdqNbsYngX06s8p57RIGhTX2R9VY0__NHASuzn7tqGI4Z7zm6fEYMFyhs3MXuqhCGTeiU-YZATXGLt5M6NviKaXXQhuOuEMnI_CCP1nWxrDOuY/s1517/ggs7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1517" data-original-width="975" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59njMN5MxKDL91a8m3ZVv8IzEZeoqqwvz9HhJ5Xl7NT8RYA6ZqMCZFslvkoNZfNn6Shm7uSBZ3rnhTgdqNbsYngX06s8p57RIGhTX2R9VY0__NHASuzn7tqGI4Z7zm6fEYMFyhs3MXuqhCGTeiU-YZATXGLt5M6NviKaXXQhuOuEMnI_CCP1nWxrDOuY/w412-h640/ggs7.jpg" width="412" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The End.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE REVIEW:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Okay. okay. Not bad. A pretty good little story that follows the well-worn path of "You brought this on yourself". It's backed up with some nice art from Bronze Age great Jack Sparling. A name I'm ALWAYS happy to see on creator credits! This isn't his BEST art, but it does elevate the story a bit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">NEXT!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">THE GENERAL'S MESSENGER</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">SCRIPT: Freff (Connor Freff Cochran)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">PENCILS: Al McWilliams</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">INKS: Al McWilliams</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE STORY:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Near the site of the famous battle of Waterloo, a Belgian businessman sees a ghost. But instead of being frightened, he decides to capitalize on the spirit's regular appearances after learning its story. . .a British Messenger who was killed by the French before delivering his final message. . . and build a restaurant.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZXVAmAqq5LdRAh2RgE4f5SZp0YVEpsu0u2twauxzAKm6YL1-z37vK7ohmKbYkhsZUYsABjY4LjT61LV48aC_2OHKkR69hdl-JAsGX59Qd06tzyy-rJAe0DRY-0unRGOtgnQWBlXHAhSxTQXziENbn7BmmJpmdyLjHaFkTD7z2qSEAc390UDRW3GLHUk/s1514/ggs8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1514" data-original-width="975" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZXVAmAqq5LdRAh2RgE4f5SZp0YVEpsu0u2twauxzAKm6YL1-z37vK7ohmKbYkhsZUYsABjY4LjT61LV48aC_2OHKkR69hdl-JAsGX59Qd06tzyy-rJAe0DRY-0unRGOtgnQWBlXHAhSxTQXziENbn7BmmJpmdyLjHaFkTD7z2qSEAc390UDRW3GLHUk/w412-h640/ggs8.jpg" width="412" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Months later, the businessman has built "The General's Messenger". A restaurant created to bring in guests curious about the ghost. Opening night is a huge success, with the restaurant crowded with customers. As promised, the ghost appears before the astounded people!</div><div><br /></div><div>The owner speaks to the ghost, asking what its message was. The spirit answers!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtyDw4o39_8nuXLP4Ncamb50sMr4ms8OWA4S8JrKRSLXLbWsvzyeYOautV_fXxnPCElMgvCe1LIRdqUghESIt3uCra1-1PUy9X4UIivL7Hg6ho5kkLsdmbv7So2DEhZNbgJUW1JTvc24Vf8JW71ZEnGUwDLNH76skXDv2Ze5L5NYUGFej7ocVJtbuTMLI/s1517/ggs9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1517" data-original-width="978" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtyDw4o39_8nuXLP4Ncamb50sMr4ms8OWA4S8JrKRSLXLbWsvzyeYOautV_fXxnPCElMgvCe1LIRdqUghESIt3uCra1-1PUy9X4UIivL7Hg6ho5kkLsdmbv7So2DEhZNbgJUW1JTvc24Vf8JW71ZEnGUwDLNH76skXDv2Ze5L5NYUGFej7ocVJtbuTMLI/w412-h640/ggs9.jpg" width="412" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">It tells the restaurant owner that it must tell a Colonel Greenan about Wellington's victorious advance. By coincidence, that very night there is a General Greenan dining at the restaurant. On a lark, the owner delivers the message after discovering that General Greenan is indeed a distant relative of a Greenan who had fought at Waterloo.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But after delivering the message to Greenan's ancestor, the restaurant owner is shocked to hear the ghost thank him and then disappear after promising not to haunt any longer. . .leaving the restaurant owner without his great attraction.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj56kIxvojg09TJk8cQQ8oE_gLdRV68s5fSPLGpLFb9JkJ3BL_5JBCe6cvvEJ5W_I65fjVSy8EkuhctQKHifZBajyr_MGefNvpSeQT0Kfz_BFaRlmFC2N1ymvrGvPyS0v8Od_pMJ2dXUMuzCt9ghZ2frRDCWztllF7YDzRKQGOv5igl1felm3LJGHs5MaE/s1510/ggs10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="978" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj56kIxvojg09TJk8cQQ8oE_gLdRV68s5fSPLGpLFb9JkJ3BL_5JBCe6cvvEJ5W_I65fjVSy8EkuhctQKHifZBajyr_MGefNvpSeQT0Kfz_BFaRlmFC2N1ymvrGvPyS0v8Od_pMJ2dXUMuzCt9ghZ2frRDCWztllF7YDzRKQGOv5igl1felm3LJGHs5MaE/w414-h640/ggs10.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE REVIEW:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another cool little bite-sized ghost story. Like the two that come before, it follows a well-worn story path. . .this time it's "You just couldn't stop while you were ahead, could you?". A tried and true comeuppance tale. It's always fun to see greedy characters get what's coming to them. Also like the other two stories, the artwork is better than I would normally expect in a random issue of a Gold Key anthology title. I have to say that the art in this issue has really been a pleasant surprise!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">AND FINALLY. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">HER OWN VICTIM</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">SCRIPT: Paul S. Newman</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">PENCILS: Oscar Novelle</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">INKS: Oscar Novelle</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE STORY:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ellen is unhappy in her arranged marriage to the uncouth Baron Alfred, and finds herself attracted to a handsome young Count named Andre. As she is a woman married to a powerful Baron, Andre turns her advances away. Ellen decides to do something about the situation. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguK_IGKGHxMh4hpW0WkPWFfcBwtfqX1aL8LzkqkLb3yc-jbCB66ghgo0oF0QWEY5vXhHUU-1683XaJ5pMyxzE5Y3omYPDCIJGRJOya-9INyiB-tEpdm_iIPtNnDfMr15m5Ye8ROekx0NBWNu8hJydOr7BS1Rh3HxmAV-SzpdpGE41Rp_BQqTM2WPbdOnQ/s1517/ggs11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1517" data-original-width="985" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguK_IGKGHxMh4hpW0WkPWFfcBwtfqX1aL8LzkqkLb3yc-jbCB66ghgo0oF0QWEY5vXhHUU-1683XaJ5pMyxzE5Y3omYPDCIJGRJOya-9INyiB-tEpdm_iIPtNnDfMr15m5Ye8ROekx0NBWNu8hJydOr7BS1Rh3HxmAV-SzpdpGE41Rp_BQqTM2WPbdOnQ/w416-h640/ggs11.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That night, Ellen attempts to poison her husband with a glass of wine. He refuses and forces her to drink it instead, not knowing it is poisoned. When Ellen falls dead, Alfred realizes he has escaped Ellen's plot, but also realizes that nobody will believe him. And so the Baron flees!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QIwRJp0CR-Mwt7pB6S3uU6cV8ArQXeqXpanAE0YcUb9issgTntPyF5cm33Rxpj8g92y3Xd6G1X79dvptrz_wn5BqQlfcNJhepb_joCxo01ALx5uRhIEyT7FlnISw2SzZrmxg6z0burX_FcIc4-aEtRlasUJ_zygK4BLJux0VLPaxBEFmfDkKMkm7uz8/s1510/ggs12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="972" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QIwRJp0CR-Mwt7pB6S3uU6cV8ArQXeqXpanAE0YcUb9issgTntPyF5cm33Rxpj8g92y3Xd6G1X79dvptrz_wn5BqQlfcNJhepb_joCxo01ALx5uRhIEyT7FlnISw2SzZrmxg6z0burX_FcIc4-aEtRlasUJ_zygK4BLJux0VLPaxBEFmfDkKMkm7uz8/w412-h640/ggs12.jpg" width="412" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Several days later, the Baron is captured by the men of Ellen's brother, a powerful Earl. Brought before the Earl, Alfred protests that he is innocent and Ellen was the one who tried to poison HIM. As predicted, nobody believes him.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">BUT THEN. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A ghostly apparition of Ellen appears before the astounded group! She offers Alfred a glass of wine. The Earl sees the ghost of Ellen trying to complete her last act and immediately frees the Baron. . .with his sister proving her own guilt. . .from beyond the grave! DUN-DUN-DUNNN!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqyI05V9yotwmKfWsJTVxeUy5bzq8sII3GosYjlJu9kKZ1vjqZushmD5lxogPSAlIsXj8uqkvSk88YGBLA9DpswrL4Gy_XAFwIpnj6Gt4yopOHT_h9yh5QwxWApJLzjM-rtCWKIhype0syySqTmZJo4HwuJbbLIEL7mc5tXqZyCQQcV_fMYIePdhb_e-c/s1510/ggs13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="972" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqyI05V9yotwmKfWsJTVxeUy5bzq8sII3GosYjlJu9kKZ1vjqZushmD5lxogPSAlIsXj8uqkvSk88YGBLA9DpswrL4Gy_XAFwIpnj6Gt4yopOHT_h9yh5QwxWApJLzjM-rtCWKIhype0syySqTmZJo4HwuJbbLIEL7mc5tXqZyCQQcV_fMYIePdhb_e-c/w412-h640/ggs13.jpg" width="412" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The End.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE REVIEW:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not bad. Not great. Just another pretty good little ghost story backed up with some surprisingly decent art for a Gold Key anthology comic. Like the rest of the stories, it's riding down a well-traveled story path, but that doesn't stop it from being a good read. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">CONCLUSION</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This issue is four for four in delivering some pretty good little bite-size ghost stories. None of them are great ghost stories, but in a 1970's Gold Key anthology comic, four for four decent stories without a bad one to be found is actually pretty darn surprising! Usually there's at least ONE clunker. Not this time. Very nice!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Don't get me wrong. These aren't the kind of stories that will stick with you. They aren't going to make any "Best Of" lists. But they're all solid and enjoyable. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The art lends a big helping hand to my enjoyment of this comic. The art in this comic is really a step outside the box I would expect in a Gold Key comic. Normally, the art is the weak point when it comes to Gold Key comics. When I pick one up, no matter HOW great the cover is. . .and I WILL defend the hill that Gold Key/Dell has some of the greatest comic covers out there. . .I ALWAYS expect the interiors to be bland and workmanlike. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The art in this issue isn't going to win any awards, but it IS surprisingly good for the time and the company it's coming from. Major points on the good side of the scale for that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, this comic has some pretty good little ghost stories backed up with some nice art, and all under one damn fine cover, so I can give this one a hearty recommendation to any fan of Bronze Age horror comics. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Grimm's Ghost Stories has never been collected or reprinted in English, but the good news is that I spot these all the time in back issue bins, yard/estate sales, antique/junk stores and flea markets. Issues of this series aren't hard to find at all for a diligent Longbox Junker.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">UP NEXT. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When it comes to Halloween comic book covers, it's hard to top THIS one!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But what's inside? Let's find out! It's DC's Secrets of Haunted House #5!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Be there or be square.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Atomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07048497340899834399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025939866108320406.post-12441273525124063062023-10-17T00:55:00.002-07:002023-10-17T01:10:41.509-07:00Longbox Junk Halloween Horror 2023 Part 10 - Where Monsters Dwell #14 (1972)Welcome to Longbox Junk, where I write comic reviews even though nobody asked me to!<div><br /></div><div>It's PART TEN of the 2023 Longbox Junk Halloween Horror Marathon, and the party is going strong.</div><div><br /></div><div>But since this is a Halloween party, we MUST follow Halloween party rules. That means at some point we HAVE to play the song. You know the song. It's time for the MASH! The MONSTER MASH!</div><div><br /></div><div><i>(He did the mash) He did the monster mash!</i></div><div><i>(The monster mash) It was a graveyard smash!</i></div><div><i>(He did the mash) It caught on in a flash!</i></div><div><i>(He did the mash) He did the monster mash!</i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Aw, yeah! That's the good stuff!<div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">WHERE MONSTERS DWELL #14</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Marvel (1972)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUEWDdhGHHn7N6DI5d9AmEsh7DLkqQLVy9xPhBhUhi5gbURd8MhcwG7Wom85QGa4yhadfsVaNAW9BBakNxP69oQwLYJVCXp5wwktwAFP9KkOnOcSXDGiVoGPWd2x2vUI24qRocInzzzwifVHekLbGM_7eV-7hasao6osjBPWfLNty4fGVuv_8OROmito/s590/wheremonstersdwell14cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUEWDdhGHHn7N6DI5d9AmEsh7DLkqQLVy9xPhBhUhi5gbURd8MhcwG7Wom85QGa4yhadfsVaNAW9BBakNxP69oQwLYJVCXp5wwktwAFP9KkOnOcSXDGiVoGPWd2x2vUI24qRocInzzzwifVHekLbGM_7eV-7hasao6osjBPWfLNty4fGVuv_8OROmito/w434-h640/wheremonstersdwell14cover.jpg" width="434" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>COVER: John Severin</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE COVER:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I LOVE this cover! I bought the comic FOR the cover. The black frame with the giant retro-pop bombastic titles reminds me of a movie poster and THEN there's some great John Severin art inside that cool frame! Severin rarely disappoints, and he doesn't disappoint here. Such a good cover! Let's get inside this thing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE STORIES:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While I was looking up the creator credits, I discovered that this is actually pretty much a Bronze Age reprint of the Silver Age Tales of Suspense #19 (1961) with a new cover and a few tweaks here and there. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With a bit more research I have come to understand that, at the time, Marvel was just sort of coasting on their non-superhero titles with a lot of reprints to pad their circulation numbers. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm okay with it, because TOS #19 is a comic that will run over $100. Slabbed and graded at a 9.0, it's over a THOUSAND! This comic cost me a cool five bucks. So it's a winner already!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Let's take a look at the three stories in here, shall we? WE SHALL!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">THE GREEN THING!</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>*Originally from Tales of Suspense #19 (1961)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>SCRIPT: Stan Lee (?) & Larry Lieber (?)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>PENCILS: Jack Kirby </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>INKS: Dick Ayers</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE STORY:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A botanist relates a strange tale to some friends. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In his search to prove plants have intelligence, he created a formula to try and communicate with plants. He traveled to a remote island off the Australian coast in search of the rare "Ignatius Rex" plant to test the formula. Failing to find the plant he was searching for, the scientist uses the formula on a common weed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The weed stirs and begins to grow! It speaks! It moves! The botanist watches in fascination as the weed grows into a towering giant that becomes more intelligent by the minute.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEhU5N9EadrpkQr-rfdqf5mS2xPR_2elxy1XWoRmQjqh_HMwXooJYFAW8lFA4I6rA1ttMIXkHkZze0jrwrOvnUoWhZggKwIrYHZ6aRxcnUR1HsioX0jQ1QuWib5ccWSF1Neh0WfJD0lrfYBtCKuUzd2qgfLJGux9bPXai07auYDeuMesxz8eE8QAhLDw/s1509/mu1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1509" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEhU5N9EadrpkQr-rfdqf5mS2xPR_2elxy1XWoRmQjqh_HMwXooJYFAW8lFA4I6rA1ttMIXkHkZze0jrwrOvnUoWhZggKwIrYHZ6aRxcnUR1HsioX0jQ1QuWib5ccWSF1Neh0WfJD0lrfYBtCKuUzd2qgfLJGux9bPXai07auYDeuMesxz8eE8QAhLDw/w434-h640/mu1.jpg" width="434" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Unfortunately for the botanist, he didn't factor in that intelligence leads to personality, and the weed quickly demonstrates an evil personality, informing the hapless scientist that he is now the green thing's slave and he will assist it in taking over the world by bringing the plant-thing to the mainland and using his formula to make more of his kind! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The scientist wants no part in helping plants dominate the human world, so he tries to escape. Fleeing to his boat, the green thing pursues him. The terrified human decides to strand both himself and the plant-thing on the island by pulling the boat motor and diving into the water to destroy it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrlpzwP4Z8lfP5FyF-_JrEjqt09E3oZKiTIzzaj2cxSGHRh3qyBpAyiMBwKFR3CTP88c67Rr0LKkkdFb06Tc8MduABPvMYxVrP7Ys-NnseQZldml1gJH4p55BKfeAeCjxU0Z98MB8GTtyVRqwEr173yEqQlCFkjCCS6Mr_efk68qGGVMhsz-r6aeQdGk/s1499/mu2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1499" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrlpzwP4Z8lfP5FyF-_JrEjqt09E3oZKiTIzzaj2cxSGHRh3qyBpAyiMBwKFR3CTP88c67Rr0LKkkdFb06Tc8MduABPvMYxVrP7Ys-NnseQZldml1gJH4p55BKfeAeCjxU0Z98MB8GTtyVRqwEr173yEqQlCFkjCCS6Mr_efk68qGGVMhsz-r6aeQdGk/w438-h640/mu2.jpg" width="438" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But his escape attempts are fruitless as the green thing closely follows, even fighting and defeating a shark during its pursuit! The human finally is able to destroy the motor, enraging the plant creature, who decides to kill the scientist now that escape from the island is impossible.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The human and plant creature fight their way across the island, with the scientist narrowly surviving each encounter, until he finally ends up trapped in a dead end cave, with the green thing taunting him at the entrance.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But then, the scientist spots what he had come to the island looking for! Ignatius Rex. The desperate botanist uses the rest of the formula on the plant, hoping that its personality won't be evil. Fortunately for him, he is right. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskmbVZfAoy-WExWeDS3-uVTmlvtqGaUb9FWG9IahFcDlV6UIlcHwttKJR7CBnaAtuXOeDnF3esapIHdwRlJlxx7laF95fGTNS2yvulaYKYpkOHTFkXeUUbH6L2LFatAQhjoahHWIbuMgsjzfW7yx-fsJYc03uQwhR6uLbhPGEZtnaue-SjSL2qPZOkIo/s1469/mu3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1469" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskmbVZfAoy-WExWeDS3-uVTmlvtqGaUb9FWG9IahFcDlV6UIlcHwttKJR7CBnaAtuXOeDnF3esapIHdwRlJlxx7laF95fGTNS2yvulaYKYpkOHTFkXeUUbH6L2LFatAQhjoahHWIbuMgsjzfW7yx-fsJYc03uQwhR6uLbhPGEZtnaue-SjSL2qPZOkIo/w446-h640/mu3.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As Ignatius Rex grows in size and intelligence, the green thing comes to kill the scientist. The two plant creatures engage in fierce mortal combat, with Ignatius Rex coming out the winner of the fight! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now saved from the green thing, the scientist promises Ignatius Rex that he will never tell the world about what happened, in order to keep the formula secret and from falling into the wrong hands.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So the first thing he does after Ignatius Rex helps him escape is to tell a bunch of his friends what happened. Go figure.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2oGxaAhmJzw3SLOtXCh1JJkrA88_eONYV1QLZ0f1F2MMMIX2OWaBrYjDRNTHRz_bz7YgdUezWAOmOIXxG7wXTMI0YVG4dhwKiPXI9oex4NZ6Z_RDhRqB7PIqe4tKr7woNFboYkPrXmcGGuLmAAv0iS1vHl6wp0f1TMM7ApbVvi_w_waXpLmfRRz7Kag/s1512/mu4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2oGxaAhmJzw3SLOtXCh1JJkrA88_eONYV1QLZ0f1F2MMMIX2OWaBrYjDRNTHRz_bz7YgdUezWAOmOIXxG7wXTMI0YVG4dhwKiPXI9oex4NZ6Z_RDhRqB7PIqe4tKr7woNFboYkPrXmcGGuLmAAv0iS1vHl6wp0f1TMM7ApbVvi_w_waXpLmfRRz7Kag/w434-h640/mu4.jpg" width="434" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The End.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE REVIEW:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Okay, not bad. Not great, mind you. Pretty good. It follows the tried and true path of "science gone wrong", but the reason why these story paths are tried and true is because they work. It's not the most memorable example of "science gone wrong", but it's a decent read. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the art side of things, I don't want to step on any toes when it comes to fans of Kirby's art, but I've never really been a fan (Give ME Joe Kubert over Jack Kirby any day). That said, I DO like Kirby's earlier art like we see here. So except for some weird coloring choices, the art on this story is solid.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">NEXT!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">THE HAUNTED PAPER!</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>*Originally from Tales of Suspense #19 (1961)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>SCRIPT: ?</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>PENCILS: Steve Ditko</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>INKS: Steve Ditko</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE STORY:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Nick Rover is a career criminal, always one step ahead of the law. But when the Feds get too close, Nick skips town and changes his identity to that of "Mr. Nicholas". He launders his ill-gotten gains by buying a small-town newspaper. It's the perfect setup. . .OR SO HE THINKS!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfIFceLjgmBwClTk7SNDEyaaorUJzHZRZosSkLSPtPPWdPZchFU-fd2sVAIbk3tmW-1VaUM-9vVKu1RZtHQn1GPrkifC6qrzx8yUiUBDfDFNUPVBq2R9oebiqw6lqJ0nIkRTCWxsD8F0l_PwbDRloipdqEuqJcCmU8l_GlbeswkJdOLj8-c2Hvs-VeBI/s1543/mu5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1543" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfIFceLjgmBwClTk7SNDEyaaorUJzHZRZosSkLSPtPPWdPZchFU-fd2sVAIbk3tmW-1VaUM-9vVKu1RZtHQn1GPrkifC6qrzx8yUiUBDfDFNUPVBq2R9oebiqw6lqJ0nIkRTCWxsD8F0l_PwbDRloipdqEuqJcCmU8l_GlbeswkJdOLj8-c2Hvs-VeBI/w424-h640/mu5.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As the days go by, Nick notices that several "errors" that his elderly typesetter, Olaf, makes have come true. Nick keeps an eye on things and realizes that Olaf's version of the news is what actually happens! Nick decides that finding out Olaf's secret is worth threatening the old man. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ljQTseu3lyYlFohoG9N48Ih0dmhUt-15shdFuaYTwRouRss-Va1qW8OLzBdZAGRrOHSla-t2nTjUXSWAEftiy8K8GDg7JhJxv7m2Ubx8BY6nqPBYCGfm6734vjvgMgRz6ONnWdzAd9DPXLXxJVZZ5PalB-GVZXOYDeW7K8m-Ka4jLF9OaIxADw7yOCw/s1500/mu6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ljQTseu3lyYlFohoG9N48Ih0dmhUt-15shdFuaYTwRouRss-Va1qW8OLzBdZAGRrOHSla-t2nTjUXSWAEftiy8K8GDg7JhJxv7m2Ubx8BY6nqPBYCGfm6734vjvgMgRz6ONnWdzAd9DPXLXxJVZZ5PalB-GVZXOYDeW7K8m-Ka4jLF9OaIxADw7yOCw/w436-h640/mu6.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But the next day, Olaf gives Nick a headline saying that he will meet with a serious accident! The criminal becomes obsessed with avoiding his fate and seeks protection by rushing into the police station and confessing his crimes and true identity. Nick is safely locked behind bars, where he will remain safe for a long, long time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At the newspaper, we see that Olaf is indeed more than he appears. He is a mysterious agent of fate, making things right wherever he is needed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhod-WZkDvNUpZG3xZQpQ5vQE2Jlj6eY8LgbwbiDiQA3j3nSDPQbbvmnaY3Gcgy0Io3DCkihbt1E4YWuF-FoBk3XjiCLAQpfdFyo21RRZX7BpDzEvfGarabfNn7WMj_-LrFFEtzyEonjZPqEZ1WLEXbvWgtFSaRj5CNntaM2zUU18M7vxajAl_Pq38u3Fc/s1518/mu7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1518" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhod-WZkDvNUpZG3xZQpQ5vQE2Jlj6eY8LgbwbiDiQA3j3nSDPQbbvmnaY3Gcgy0Io3DCkihbt1E4YWuF-FoBk3XjiCLAQpfdFyo21RRZX7BpDzEvfGarabfNn7WMj_-LrFFEtzyEonjZPqEZ1WLEXbvWgtFSaRj5CNntaM2zUU18M7vxajAl_Pq38u3Fc/w432-h640/mu7.jpg" width="432" /></a></div>The End.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE REVIEW:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Okay. Not too bad. But it's definitely NOT a monster story in a monster comic! It's more of a Twilight Zone-style twist story following the well-worn path of "You always get what's coming to you somehow." For that, it's a pretty decent little story. . .but when I read a monster comic, I sort of want MONSTER stories!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">NEXT!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">THE COMING OF MAABOO!</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>*Originally from Tales of Suspense #19 (1961)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>SCRIPT: Stan Lee (?) & Larry Lieber (?)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>PENCILS: Don Heck</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>INKS: Don Heck</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE STORY:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In Burma, a mercenary named Nick Collins helps a badly-injured man with a fantastic tale. He says that there is a tribe in the mountains that worship an alien god called Maaboo. Supposedly, Maaboo commanded the tribe to find and gather as much gold as they could while waiting for Maaboo to return.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Over the generations, the tribe has amassed a fortune in gold, and the injured man almost lost his life trying to steal it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvoJwc0VpXVi09XCBCnGTNx9Cm4Q3w_ET61CsfqycNs665kneZA-89Dp4-hYOZr6gVbng4fyDksGcLV139ELNIGJSMrz23d0g9loJeXCSpfwuqHFh93_KLYnbVZ6zMmYLOn58tr9T70Awdlx8kWwmEip0N8YtmvXca7M7tX4KHuiWEPBU4njwI8Uay2U/s1498/mu8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1498" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvoJwc0VpXVi09XCBCnGTNx9Cm4Q3w_ET61CsfqycNs665kneZA-89Dp4-hYOZr6gVbng4fyDksGcLV139ELNIGJSMrz23d0g9loJeXCSpfwuqHFh93_KLYnbVZ6zMmYLOn58tr9T70Awdlx8kWwmEip0N8YtmvXca7M7tX4KHuiWEPBU4njwI8Uay2U/w438-h640/mu8.jpg" width="438" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Nick decides that he will try his hand at stealing the tribe's gold, but he's going to have a better angle. . .he's going in disguised as Maaboo! Enlisting the aid of a shifty mountain guide, Nick procures a good costume and is led to the tribe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">His plan works! The tribe are in awe of "Maaboo" and bring him all the gold they have gathered. As they return, Nick warns the guide to keep his mouth shut or pay the price with his life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8QXoC9orZU2BHTmetjmOLQZNI7AT61s-yBsCX44USK2avCsv-CWN0KooGvXN63W7ZhqalQaews6rfYSYEcNzmgQCb_4boLGU7iNCccg9buu_Zad10gcfrhF9YsLgXYg9vXf3w_ztuwLdYLZBBlRUhBQrigD_jSYCb0LN7G_WtorCDHZeI1JaZtMwdyA/s1474/mu9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1474" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8QXoC9orZU2BHTmetjmOLQZNI7AT61s-yBsCX44USK2avCsv-CWN0KooGvXN63W7ZhqalQaews6rfYSYEcNzmgQCb_4boLGU7iNCccg9buu_Zad10gcfrhF9YsLgXYg9vXf3w_ztuwLdYLZBBlRUhBQrigD_jSYCb0LN7G_WtorCDHZeI1JaZtMwdyA/w444-h640/mu9.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But to Nick's horror, the "guide" begins to change before his very eyes! Nick realizes that the guide is the REAL Maaboo! The mercenary tries to escape, but Maaboo prevents him from fleeing. He tells the human that the gold was a trap. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He has been looking a long time for an example of the worst of humanity to take back to his world and study. . .and that example is Nick! DUN-DUN-DUNNNNN!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbn_8Lg1pBdvqiTJWIH2ijUulDZbJm8RtRM9AAzrwVAatV4k7N9XpkomFFas6JfcHXiGGG6csJMRjhZIHY06r2sKGiAf-I9F10ftB-4dYahaVXMYAq5KSpyh4yt-SIvqY33-MRepLDh1z9Va4sRavptSNYu0aCl2duDJjDc2-i3RYBqt7a8M9eT37Fjk/s1523/mu10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1523" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbn_8Lg1pBdvqiTJWIH2ijUulDZbJm8RtRM9AAzrwVAatV4k7N9XpkomFFas6JfcHXiGGG6csJMRjhZIHY06r2sKGiAf-I9F10ftB-4dYahaVXMYAq5KSpyh4yt-SIvqY33-MRepLDh1z9Va4sRavptSNYu0aCl2duDJjDc2-i3RYBqt7a8M9eT37Fjk/w430-h640/mu10.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The End.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE REVIEW:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What we have here is a decent example of the good old "The stories. . .they were all TRUE!" story path. It's a bit predictable, but not a bad read. It's backed up by some nice art from comic veteran Don Heck, so points on the good side of things right there. But like the other two stories, it's just pretty good and not much more than that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">CONCLUSION</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a comic that runs right down the middle of the road. It's not bad. It's not great. It's pretty good. Not very memorable, and all three stories follow a specific, well-traveled narrative path that will be familiar to anyone who has ever watched Twilight Zone or read more than a few Golden/Silver Age suspense or horror comics. But for all that, it's still a pretty good read.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Like I said above, it's a bit of a minefield when you try to say something about comic legends like Jack Kirby, Stan Lee, Steve Ditko and Don Heck. But Longbox Junk isn't about hero worship. It's about actually looking under the cool covers of comic books and being truthful about what I find. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The good news is that all those legends turn in some solid work on this comic (and by extension, on Tales of Suspense #19). But it's not their best work. Not by a long shot. It's not their worst work, either. No way. I've seen MUCH worse from ALL of them. What they give us here is solidly average.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you're a fan of Silver Age weird suspense stories, then definitely give this one (or TOS #19) a look. There's some legendary talent on the roster here, just don't expect legendary work from them this time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm not sure how hard this one is to find in the wild, but it looks like it's easier on the wallet than Tales of Suspense #19, so there's that. The stories have been collected in several places, so if you don't want to dig too hard, there's that as well. Either way, this is a pretty good comic, so keep your eye out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">UP NEXT. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How about some more ghosts?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This time from Gold Key's GRIMM'S GHOST STORIES!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Be there or be square.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>Atomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07048497340899834399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025939866108320406.post-80012437621547356912023-10-16T01:08:00.004-07:002023-10-16T01:10:21.135-07:00Longbox Junk Halloween Horror 2023 Part 9 - Werewolf By Night #27 (1975)Welcome to Longbox Junk, where you can find comic reviews nobody asked for!<div><br /></div><div>We're up to Part NINE of our 2023 Longbox Junk Halloween Horror Marathon!</div><div><br /></div><div>Not bad. . .not bad at all. I didn't really plan it this way, but it seems this year's party has had quite a few werewolves in it. So why not go ahead and invite another one? Let's just hope he doesn't shed on the couch.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's a Halloween Party! If the house is a rockin' don't bother knockin', just come on in!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">WEREWOLF BY NIGHT #27</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Marvel (1975)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnX-xX5N6SxN9G3_dRmXh3MBNZFf6vd73YCGP81o4fAZmWdQKw-x77_tFHKzjQnB-RrV9YLpov2ODPexHgMKgr818RohvkKp9wGSBog-KnUcKGVGdTtSpCxyPtc1jChfWwKpA_XFm5ZGC4t07nUN7V8EzcLO36_1ZIHiSo78EPEeyGa-S-JmZmNNj-ns/s613/werewolfbynight27cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnX-xX5N6SxN9G3_dRmXh3MBNZFf6vd73YCGP81o4fAZmWdQKw-x77_tFHKzjQnB-RrV9YLpov2ODPexHgMKgr818RohvkKp9wGSBog-KnUcKGVGdTtSpCxyPtc1jChfWwKpA_XFm5ZGC4t07nUN7V8EzcLO36_1ZIHiSo78EPEeyGa-S-JmZmNNj-ns/w418-h640/werewolfbynight27cover.jpg" width="418" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>COVER: Gil Kane</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE COVER:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All in all, pretty amazing! Such a great Halloween cover! I don't know WHAT that creature Marvel's hirsute anti-hero is fighting, but it's creepy, crazy, and altogether awesome! It's a real eye-catcher that makes me want to get inside and find out what the heck is going on. So let's do just that!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">THE AMAZING DOCTOR GLITTERNIGHT</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>SCRIPT: Doug Moench</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>PENCILS: Don Perlin</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>INKS: Don Perlin</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE STORY:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We begin our tale at a beachside house in Malibu, where Jack Russell (AKA Werewolf by Night) and his friends Buck and Topaz are recovering from recent adventures in Transylvania. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But it's the full moon! Topaz is unable to control Jack with her weakened mental powers and he transforms into the werewolf and disappears into the night. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmjFy6DYsCYaIPQRSbNgaOr7J5oo6rt-l1GzVMOV2zcvHUD4WkUYtKXZeZNZqO1QlUrdAyegfA35-lsJF0Pq5kj9p26n1_0pQoBnZ1L_qpictIO_1r2rrnU9_2bYU0tnPlcqgaQrMVVegap7lNXxREUENo8puFR2fRbEB_1Z9tWOZKPzuXpS_CK2wL5s/s999/ww1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="673" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmjFy6DYsCYaIPQRSbNgaOr7J5oo6rt-l1GzVMOV2zcvHUD4WkUYtKXZeZNZqO1QlUrdAyegfA35-lsJF0Pq5kj9p26n1_0pQoBnZ1L_qpictIO_1r2rrnU9_2bYU0tnPlcqgaQrMVVegap7lNXxREUENo8puFR2fRbEB_1Z9tWOZKPzuXpS_CK2wL5s/w432-h640/ww1.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Wandering along the beach, the werewolf spots a cave lit by a mysterious glowing light. He investigates and finds a tunnel leading deep into the earth, lit by a pulsating light. Following the light, the werewolf is astounded to find a hidden temple, with a strange man wearing flowing robes casting some sort of incantation on a tiny, glowing version of his friend Topaz!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgHviFVEaGBZkIKBUxd9w7ciBVHJ7GxFrEvR3HB_OcTHemkA305KafGjihmApvg2EpVt9DNDhoaJiRh0ceUB6bpL_etmZH0C5FoXNNqltukvTHD_l4RShIswZwFlbG-n7tCGBgXkbuTUd2iT7LgjMO4rIFOxMuo6jKOLDnUbkFuy4eZhNs1nV_sGtC9Y/s1007/ww2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1007" data-original-width="677" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgHviFVEaGBZkIKBUxd9w7ciBVHJ7GxFrEvR3HB_OcTHemkA305KafGjihmApvg2EpVt9DNDhoaJiRh0ceUB6bpL_etmZH0C5FoXNNqltukvTHD_l4RShIswZwFlbG-n7tCGBgXkbuTUd2iT7LgjMO4rIFOxMuo6jKOLDnUbkFuy4eZhNs1nV_sGtC9Y/w430-h640/ww2.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As the werewolf watches in silence, the mysterious figure finishes the spell. The glowing form of Topaz grows until it explodes! After the blinding flare ceases, all that is left in her place is a grotesque, tentacled creature. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The strange magician spots the werewolf watching! Now calling himself "Glitternight", he commands the twisted creature upon the altar rise and kill the trespasser! As the tentacled beast rushes to attack the werewolf, Glitternight floats into the air, directing the battle from above!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJW1RqcviqpKoDcsdM4lveS1eyaAvqJtJWvIFNM9hcAcABDQFeLpQ9mFkwfa0Qj7Mmc8TqPJa4pYaEhVilPb-Ze6qr2t8x3VCiRkIdcVgR5YehSJYCjldv6Cs3UCUgZczZ1Nx8M21WI2tgL6B53_76RzBwBsk-BYeMcJD8oUZE4Kmx2eqj_TkhnuQMOwk/s1015/ww3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1015" data-original-width="679" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJW1RqcviqpKoDcsdM4lveS1eyaAvqJtJWvIFNM9hcAcABDQFeLpQ9mFkwfa0Qj7Mmc8TqPJa4pYaEhVilPb-Ze6qr2t8x3VCiRkIdcVgR5YehSJYCjldv6Cs3UCUgZczZ1Nx8M21WI2tgL6B53_76RzBwBsk-BYeMcJD8oUZE4Kmx2eqj_TkhnuQMOwk/w428-h640/ww3.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The werewolf seems beaten by the arcane creature, which is strengthened by the light emanating from beneath Glitternight's cloak. But he manages to fling himself out of the cave, holding the slimy creature and using it to break the fall! As Glitternight tends to his gravely-wounded beast, the werewolf makes his escape. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1HeuOJISRnCsZWLHns3Q8D4_-npGa2OhylZbm7Eg4sG8XKeSagZaczLXAWfMIQAfH0bMlJzxI-RON9K61tDk0SR5_gDIc6jYPyQqbYAd2gFmVU7XRTODspFdGVxbwj12omG0VSkO4OFCDuMzB5cie6vjXNzxdDJ9T8VvFGW-7A-3jrkXfg30Z4kSj4I/s995/ww4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="995" data-original-width="665" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1HeuOJISRnCsZWLHns3Q8D4_-npGa2OhylZbm7Eg4sG8XKeSagZaczLXAWfMIQAfH0bMlJzxI-RON9K61tDk0SR5_gDIc6jYPyQqbYAd2gFmVU7XRTODspFdGVxbwj12omG0VSkO4OFCDuMzB5cie6vjXNzxdDJ9T8VvFGW-7A-3jrkXfg30Z4kSj4I/w428-h640/ww4.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When the sun rises, the werewolf transforms back into Jack Russell and he makes his way back to Buck's beach house, where his worried friends have been searching for him all night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jack tells the tale of his strange encounter to his friends, and is surprised to learn that Topaz knows exactly who Glitternight is, and she seems not to be surprised at all that Glitternight has managed to fashion a creature from part of her soul that he has stolen!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPUZoJNlT2o-TfpblSOU9F28P15esRqJ8PSgSTKcKRoC-OXCCU9XMQxYY2JHQ3YO0nag1nJrMG0oEGWsy1RJYO2WInFb3zmA-nf_B-Abm8BJp0byM9nIWl150v4pekChHIWc8KqI5lAZBBgLXVhU9wiUuXu2VYrplUGuFMZIJTyJx5KHQGenHQyE9dQWs/s1011/ww5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1011" data-original-width="689" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPUZoJNlT2o-TfpblSOU9F28P15esRqJ8PSgSTKcKRoC-OXCCU9XMQxYY2JHQ3YO0nag1nJrMG0oEGWsy1RJYO2WInFb3zmA-nf_B-Abm8BJp0byM9nIWl150v4pekChHIWc8KqI5lAZBBgLXVhU9wiUuXu2VYrplUGuFMZIJTyJx5KHQGenHQyE9dQWs/w436-h640/ww5.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">With Topaz's revelation, explanations are in order. And so she spins a tale. . .</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Glitternight is a sorcerer, a friend of her deceased father. . .also a sorcerer, named Taboo. Since she knew him as a child, Topaz thought that, by going to Glitternight, he could help her regain her weakened powers, and in doing so, Topaz could keep helping Jack control the werewolf.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Unfortunately, she found herself under Glitternight's evil power, which he used to draw forth a part of her very soul. . .which he captured within a crystal egg as Topaz watched helplessly. And NOW (based on Jack's story), for some reason, Glitternight was there in California, looking for Topaz for some unknown reason!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kzb4fPPdfmyILTscrOvbHQC_yk4SqQxNiUAICmN9gkH8W-hCrBAW2Umm4qzVbrHCXQeAgg0ZETJBAXEwvy3Iwye37XduqWgWsQdWaQa9DP6YYZEnkQODk6sPXAMSMw4zt6ex0a5xCHrXAuNjJps7g7hindze_abukTcxlmW_tSz1RfgbcViU6rASCrg/s1019/ww6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1019" data-original-width="683" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kzb4fPPdfmyILTscrOvbHQC_yk4SqQxNiUAICmN9gkH8W-hCrBAW2Umm4qzVbrHCXQeAgg0ZETJBAXEwvy3Iwye37XduqWgWsQdWaQa9DP6YYZEnkQODk6sPXAMSMw4zt6ex0a5xCHrXAuNjJps7g7hindze_abukTcxlmW_tSz1RfgbcViU6rASCrg/w428-h640/ww6.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Unknown to the three friends, as they discuss their new situation, Glitternight has emerged from the cavern and found them! Taking the three of them by surprise, Glitternight uses a strange dark light to put them all to sleep. When they awaken they find themselves captive in Glitternight's hidden lair!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAyYsHbskFZG3YvEqI1uVCtL6-A4hF-IAQPZTFn4aWthf_jW6xkUaK8FmFyukOP4LbRbi5WlVuBwq67ei6SvR3wj_8PV2xNBr4szeN1D3ipLtf5v0qRggFVgtj4RInStbbfEWb5AyTI-gLAcksSoXVmhNKimYQOqf0sHpVjCJ1ArhXDvNUsgIA29Xw_k/s1013/ww7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1013" data-original-width="681" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAyYsHbskFZG3YvEqI1uVCtL6-A4hF-IAQPZTFn4aWthf_jW6xkUaK8FmFyukOP4LbRbi5WlVuBwq67ei6SvR3wj_8PV2xNBr4szeN1D3ipLtf5v0qRggFVgtj4RInStbbfEWb5AyTI-gLAcksSoXVmhNKimYQOqf0sHpVjCJ1ArhXDvNUsgIA29Xw_k/w430-h640/ww7.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Glitternight gleefully tells his captives that he plans on using Topaz's soul to create a creature of supreme evil and power from the hidden wickedness inside of Topaz. A creature that will destroy her and anyone else that tries to stand in the way of his nefarious plans. . .BWAA-HA-HA-HAAAA!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">BUT. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Outside, night falls. And as the sorcerer goes on about his vague, yet obviously evil plans, the full moon rises! Jack transforms into the werewolf, breaks his bonds, and leaps to attack Glitternight!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64vCRCpGVYrw5K8pTk5txRsbuFgkT6e7Pnixr6uPdx69ts-qzQfXk7hjHfTSF6EOtVkRy1DX_PQulnUuZR3gUIx0P4jEMlUc4QwOwGi7eb3deJxeWXZVcr1WQJYqAqqKs2oEK8sepu_5g4aIxrKAoZAwJ1gSfH0Dn_QkrtF7fUQsmFChpZ1-G3YpJP78/s1019/ww8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1019" data-original-width="683" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64vCRCpGVYrw5K8pTk5txRsbuFgkT6e7Pnixr6uPdx69ts-qzQfXk7hjHfTSF6EOtVkRy1DX_PQulnUuZR3gUIx0P4jEMlUc4QwOwGi7eb3deJxeWXZVcr1WQJYqAqqKs2oEK8sepu_5g4aIxrKAoZAwJ1gSfH0Dn_QkrtF7fUQsmFChpZ1-G3YpJP78/w428-h640/ww8.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But this time, Glitternight is ready for the werewolf, using his magic to dodge its attacks, but accidentally throwing the werewolf into the egg holding the dark part of Topaz's soul, shattering it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rising from the shards of the broken prison, the dark soul shapes itself into a monstrous, disgusting creature, rising high into the cavern and setting its sight on a rematch with the werewolf!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrg0X9i3hJ46IW71HSCeRVfSy1CihUZ4_XeEJ9AQ9TeeDR2sI8q28WNLIlJerba13wmvCBeAO-LiH7_kmxgbjIfIb2VGg5pLNmd5bSbUTrw3OjI1JNjQb9FV0cEP_0wYfD7HxMbMc8nemUGFE4Cjqm_ZTzcmmBwibQbj3Bm6X7BYWQATHB6uKHNdCYTw/s1019/ww9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1019" data-original-width="683" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrg0X9i3hJ46IW71HSCeRVfSy1CihUZ4_XeEJ9AQ9TeeDR2sI8q28WNLIlJerba13wmvCBeAO-LiH7_kmxgbjIfIb2VGg5pLNmd5bSbUTrw3OjI1JNjQb9FV0cEP_0wYfD7HxMbMc8nemUGFE4Cjqm_ZTzcmmBwibQbj3Bm6X7BYWQATHB6uKHNdCYTw/w428-h640/ww9.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And so, an epic battle between werewolf and monstrosity is joined! As the two creatures fight and flail about the cavern, Buck and Topaz are freed. Topaz realizes that Glitternight's powers are somehow preventing her from using her own weakened powers to aid Jack.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She understands that there is no choice. If they are to survive, she has to use what little power she has to send Jack deeper INTO the werewolf, turning it into a savage, uncontrolled beast. . .undoing everything she's tried to do for Jack!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhciKY-ZwtRv1poktErSUdLsA3Su1THX4tAUyPbYbp5YdZol5DGkfEfulxy8rkdzWSs1SkF3msFETeXA7ScC1BrZBBG2-mlauZGgtxNe8_BJG6eE216XqzTWNJeYuurD3KA2cwZNlp-SGc0sZeZPlWM7bqs6h86l5pv8g8G7W-iYOknrlBjqVai2xYYGxI/s1027/ww10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1027" data-original-width="683" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhciKY-ZwtRv1poktErSUdLsA3Su1THX4tAUyPbYbp5YdZol5DGkfEfulxy8rkdzWSs1SkF3msFETeXA7ScC1BrZBBG2-mlauZGgtxNe8_BJG6eE216XqzTWNJeYuurD3KA2cwZNlp-SGc0sZeZPlWM7bqs6h86l5pv8g8G7W-iYOknrlBjqVai2xYYGxI/w426-h640/ww10.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And, as Topaz releases Jack's mind from her own, the werewolf fully emerges, savagely attacking and defeating the twisted creature by gouging out its eyes and impaling it on a broken stalagmite! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Glitternight shouts about having his revenge and drops a hint that Topaz's father may actually be alive before disappearing from the cavern. The werewolf runs away down the beach without so much as a see ya later, leaving Buck and Topaz alone.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Topaz tells Buck that she's getting tired of helping a guy who just runs off all the time. She's a little more concerned about an evil sorcerer that seems to be chasing her, has managed to steal part of her soul, and has hinted that her father might be alive, than babysitting an ungrateful werewolf.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUxrB84BtLD_yv4ippWIHKcNElJsNPSCHF_qBQoMwt_XnLntHIsPvv3mWVZMSXfWynyQ6GVMfYagWGg6RIDpozGIKeYaRZUFSj75PwT4Av5qyWgqdnPipDxNvbZep2cfkCOO-9e-gne9m-0R3Q6C7GKxGSvCTB516PJS7urfax4s9iOjJ6QwcgkyAFQM/s1005/ww11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1005" data-original-width="685" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUxrB84BtLD_yv4ippWIHKcNElJsNPSCHF_qBQoMwt_XnLntHIsPvv3mWVZMSXfWynyQ6GVMfYagWGg6RIDpozGIKeYaRZUFSj75PwT4Av5qyWgqdnPipDxNvbZep2cfkCOO-9e-gne9m-0R3Q6C7GKxGSvCTB516PJS7urfax4s9iOjJ6QwcgkyAFQM/w436-h640/ww11.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The End. . .To Be Continued.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE REVIEW:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This issue is basically setup for a storyline that continues through the next three issues of Werewolf by night, which concentrate a bit more on Topaz and Jack's younger sister, Lissa, than on the werewolf himself.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That said, it's a pretty good read on its own! Basically two knock down, drag out fights between the werewolf and a twisted creature formed from the dark part of Topaz's soul. . . with a little exposition and setup in between. This issue is part of an ongoing continuity, but there's enough meat on the bone for any reader to pick it up and understand what's going on. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I'm a fan of the old Marvel style where they assume that ANY comic might just be someone's FIRST comic. It makes even an issue like this one that is part of a past continuity and setup for a continuing storyline to be read on its own just fine, and leave the reader wanting to learn more. It's something I feel that Marvel may have lost sight of over the years.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Don Perlin might not have been the BEST artist in the Marvel Bullpen, but he gives anything he works on a solid, reliable look. Nothing too fancy, just good, solid comic art that tells the story. There are a few standout moments here and there in this issue, but not many. Perlin tells the story and sticks right to the middle of the road. There's nothing wrong with that. He made a decent career of it, after all!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">CONCLUSION</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, what we have here is a quick, fun read. It follows the old Marvel path of assuming this is the readers first Marvel comic, and I like that a lot because I don't have any of the issues cited in editorial references, and only have one more in this storyline (#30), but was able to get what was going on just fine. I guess sometimes you miss something without even knowing you miss it. I miss that old Marvel reader-friendly style sometimes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On it's own, this comic is a fine "Monster Battle" story that I can fully recommend to any fan of Marvel's Bronze Age comics that wants to step a little bit outside of the superhero box. It's a little forgettable, but it's FUN. Sometimes you just want a little fun in your comics. A werewolf fighting a giant tentacle monster? That ain't fine literature, that's fun! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This issue will probably be a little hard to find on the cheap, but it's been collected several times and I DID find it in the wild at an antique store for the princely sum of five bucks, so it IS out there if you want to try and hunt it down.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">UP NEXT. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Let's keep the monster fun going! Because, why not?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's Marvel's "Where Monsters Dwell" #14.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Featuring three Mighty Marvel Monster-Tastic Tales!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Be there or be square.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Atomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07048497340899834399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025939866108320406.post-25502724491410298842023-10-12T00:50:00.005-07:002023-10-12T00:51:55.739-07:00Longbox Junk Halloween Horror Part 8 - Boris Karloff Tales of Mystery #59 (1975)Welcome to Longbox Junk, where I just keep on writing comic reviews nobody asked for!<div><br /></div><div>IT'S OCTOBER! The change of season is in the air. Snow on the mountains here in Utah. The crisp fall breezes. People driving like they've never seen rain. Christmas music in the grocery store. Pumpkin Spice-flavored cole slaw at the Chuck-A-Rama. But best of all. . .The Longbox Junk Halloween Horror Marathon!</div><div><br /></div><div>We're up to part EIGHT! There's been real treats in the pumpkin bucket so far this year. . .but also some candy corn. Nobody wants candy corn in the bucket. So let's knock on another door and see what we get next!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">BORIS KARLOFF TALES OF MYSTERY #59</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Gold Key (1975)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_gXGIRkgSm9Ct1knsHTHEcuXOlkwMsKwCGVXgVIBhdXvGlvHsKB8bqhGx03nLVWPQBI32PXTAZgXt6lCv7MKC7A0vUKTP2R45KotYagC9MzYop6CcXacicDs9bjCfqutn7A9b8mko4CLgpDLz5lUqkuN_P3hLFBDk8r9ZVk8DL2nyAM0M_MsTBVFdLr0/s619/boris%20karloff59cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_gXGIRkgSm9Ct1knsHTHEcuXOlkwMsKwCGVXgVIBhdXvGlvHsKB8bqhGx03nLVWPQBI32PXTAZgXt6lCv7MKC7A0vUKTP2R45KotYagC9MzYop6CcXacicDs9bjCfqutn7A9b8mko4CLgpDLz5lUqkuN_P3hLFBDk8r9ZVk8DL2nyAM0M_MsTBVFdLr0/w414-h640/boris%20karloff59cover.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>COVER: George Wilson</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE COVER:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hmmm. . .interesting. I like the white (ish) background, but the rest of it is just sort of underwhelming. George Wilson is a great, unsung Bronze Age artist responsible for some of the best painted covers to EVER grace a comic book, but this one. . .this one isn't his best work. It's just okay. Let's get inside!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE STORIES:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Four. . .count 'em. . .FOUR full-length stories in this issue. If we still got four stories in a comic today, maybe I wouldn't mind paying five bucks an issue so much. But enough of that. Let's take a look at these stories!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">THE MASTER AND THE FOOL</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>SCRIPT: ?</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>PENCILS: Adolfo Buylla</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>INKS: ?</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE STORY:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After the nobleman, Count Kalman, rescues a mentally-handicapped young man named Josip from a village mob, Kalman takes him on for an assistant during his experiments into the animal nature of humankind.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8Y1SQYi-L1SH-5OZjLoF56D4mZ7HDWFUo0jTDKRPz0SxcOr6Y6b3qIhHuCxYOSyVHkAlk9Ruu4UzHpsUpfPZOnVlsxS1a_dmOarxSyiEeh04XxC0YC-x86hrSaGMD-S1rt8XZhogDCuEAsq59KxOLPIdZyhZd96MymKA-Nba2LaqsIpT3Wu9_dqZjYU/s1600/bk1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8Y1SQYi-L1SH-5OZjLoF56D4mZ7HDWFUo0jTDKRPz0SxcOr6Y6b3qIhHuCxYOSyVHkAlk9Ruu4UzHpsUpfPZOnVlsxS1a_dmOarxSyiEeh04XxC0YC-x86hrSaGMD-S1rt8XZhogDCuEAsq59KxOLPIdZyhZd96MymKA-Nba2LaqsIpT3Wu9_dqZjYU/w420-h640/bk1.JPG" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After drinking a mixture concocted of wolf brains, combined with an ancient Egyptian formula he discovered, Count Kalman begins to notice his body changing. Soon, he has transformed into a man-wolf. . .running rampant through the village and brutally killing three men!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUv1ZWpopK6mfNwEMUycO3VJoyoBmBnFpRbB7XUm7iuGMRJ6Q8W64LKblSAvFD8TwKvArEimlby0vktJuL6LddbmIZwZJFofUhMMSRMraTxFm2l503RUNeRlYnXLp5veiZJcm0QiwK8X2jG_wG7xGq3wZNQ43s9I1frzyKrNunhzdbn6yVOzkwqhj68Tw/s1600/bk2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1029" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUv1ZWpopK6mfNwEMUycO3VJoyoBmBnFpRbB7XUm7iuGMRJ6Q8W64LKblSAvFD8TwKvArEimlby0vktJuL6LddbmIZwZJFofUhMMSRMraTxFm2l503RUNeRlYnXLp5veiZJcm0QiwK8X2jG_wG7xGq3wZNQ43s9I1frzyKrNunhzdbn6yVOzkwqhj68Tw/w412-h640/bk2.JPG" width="412" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As the distraught Kalman frantically tries to formulate an antidote to what he's done to himself, the villagers arrive at his castle in a mob, demanding he hand over Josip. . .believing the mentally-unstable young man is behind the killings. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fearful to be seen in his condition, Kalman lets the mob take Josip, even though he knows the young man is innocent. As the villagers drag Josip away, he manages to escape!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_n76qMInHwcO2MpM_juP19gOSeKMEdPP_K5jOhcrkR2FzAnm8mOG6W69FwiCx-C2kMAC9E39MPfO5k8LuATuarcu7F6yEMBI_CdHg2B1lbdDnfQNvoIX3xmbJj2YBoj66rrpMvXLD5CBl86tqiFMDhiJ3OBvdXi4m1SfNUAj9AQYIZvcFwhmIjyGWdAI/s1600/bk3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1034" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_n76qMInHwcO2MpM_juP19gOSeKMEdPP_K5jOhcrkR2FzAnm8mOG6W69FwiCx-C2kMAC9E39MPfO5k8LuATuarcu7F6yEMBI_CdHg2B1lbdDnfQNvoIX3xmbJj2YBoj66rrpMvXLD5CBl86tqiFMDhiJ3OBvdXi4m1SfNUAj9AQYIZvcFwhmIjyGWdAI/w414-h640/bk3.JPG" width="414" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Later, Count Kalman is relieved to see the change reversing and he becomes fully-human once again. He hears pounding upon the door. Thinking the mob has returned, he goes to see what they want. To Kalman's surprised terror, there is no mob, but Josip. . .transformed into a wolf-man!</div><div><br /></div><div>He had also drunk the mixture, and now he has his revenge on his former master, brutally killing him for handing him over to the mob.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCP7tiIni0WQ8IDobDozSKU4zFByJ5Lu7NgGpypl-vFa_TJdRKPxplYDnk_Z_zKOHHmg65-Hvl3SJrLvO4iTxTUXEtZiugThzqCq4el_YrvbsupiHcCR0NmITTgOfEhVz6o_rWyRYlSiqe3AYxKTRSCeq5P8u0B4hetO1Dhzz6HjvWgBwCR1NtAaTiDA/s1600/bk4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1042" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCP7tiIni0WQ8IDobDozSKU4zFByJ5Lu7NgGpypl-vFa_TJdRKPxplYDnk_Z_zKOHHmg65-Hvl3SJrLvO4iTxTUXEtZiugThzqCq4el_YrvbsupiHcCR0NmITTgOfEhVz6o_rWyRYlSiqe3AYxKTRSCeq5P8u0B4hetO1Dhzz6HjvWgBwCR1NtAaTiDA/w416-h640/bk4.JPG" width="416" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE REVIEW:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Okay. . .not bad. Another werewolf story for the Longbox Junk Halloween party. Nothing wrong with that! It's got a lot of Frankenstein-style science gone wrong flavor. I liked this one quite a bit. The ending was a bit abrupt, but still a pretty good Halloween story. The art is what I would call serviceable. It's not bad, but it doesn't do much more than just tell the story. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, not a bad start at all. NEXT!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">THE BEAST OF BRETONNE</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>SCRIPT: ?</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>PENCILS: Jose Delbo</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>INKS: Jose Delbo (?)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE STORY:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the deep woods of France, near a small village, a brutish, hairy beast has terrorized the villagers for years. Children are frightened with tales of "The Beast of Bretonne", which is known to steal livestock, but not attack unless provoked, so the villagers have learned to stay away from the beast's cave.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyaSenQQiMgOPY269i-hF3GWp0BFN0bqwU-aDauSdrfi_UJt6TbS6p3sTMwkaX67h41RNQmdX0X-zEaFt7qpDCOonr3OvtuqUh418Rop_Q6NF73XhFt_npRs4wj453EQGu9Ye-7mZivDSX6m7rDbRFHo168ZSw3XRv1K7X6fprUvmHKu81CV8qNUL10bg/s1600/bk5.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1058" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyaSenQQiMgOPY269i-hF3GWp0BFN0bqwU-aDauSdrfi_UJt6TbS6p3sTMwkaX67h41RNQmdX0X-zEaFt7qpDCOonr3OvtuqUh418Rop_Q6NF73XhFt_npRs4wj453EQGu9Ye-7mZivDSX6m7rDbRFHo168ZSw3XRv1K7X6fprUvmHKu81CV8qNUL10bg/w424-h640/bk5.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But then, one night a travelling circus passes by the village and is caught in a storm. The circus-folk have heard the legends of the Beast of Bretonne and are fearful of being caught near its cave.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDKaLoABGETwsbHG5nymjbvStL3Bx37a4RD15wEmccBW2Y3FM1YVoGaFrDRDhVArI3blp-54brjifUZ3Qo17rOa3SMM6OiVn6EGbXt528nRW4jmmyx7yi0wYv3RmmFYkwvPi36t1SOcFVIM6RKdwiEOxUi_u5OhA8vlU8D43LZl2ZRCaslgBq-IAA6iQ/s1600/bk6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1058" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDKaLoABGETwsbHG5nymjbvStL3Bx37a4RD15wEmccBW2Y3FM1YVoGaFrDRDhVArI3blp-54brjifUZ3Qo17rOa3SMM6OiVn6EGbXt528nRW4jmmyx7yi0wYv3RmmFYkwvPi36t1SOcFVIM6RKdwiEOxUi_u5OhA8vlU8D43LZl2ZRCaslgBq-IAA6iQ/w424-h640/bk6.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But when they actually DO encounter the beast in its lair, the circus-folk are surprised to find the ferocious beast is nothing more than a deformed man, much like themselves, and living in misery due to the hate and fear of everyone who has ever seen him.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDDTolsLXroxZR26Ds1WE743qgAoGVbbx0CiZOkqFz-JokvouVbTaZeP9OQhOPP5eT7MauK93VpjJ_ew59ZYIW54C6YaubCjGDcNATpuwc0p-PeAkOUT1NeO54TXaI1QYyH607QotJHc7USeOcRk5TTMfJ4byC6ptgLRxvvuNl7k9SBKXRzehotad1lk/s1600/bk7.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1045" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDDTolsLXroxZR26Ds1WE743qgAoGVbbx0CiZOkqFz-JokvouVbTaZeP9OQhOPP5eT7MauK93VpjJ_ew59ZYIW54C6YaubCjGDcNATpuwc0p-PeAkOUT1NeO54TXaI1QYyH607QotJHc7USeOcRk5TTMfJ4byC6ptgLRxvvuNl7k9SBKXRzehotad1lk/w418-h640/bk7.JPG" width="418" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The circus owner takes in the beast and makes him part of the show. He becomes their most popular attraction and becomes a beloved member of the circus family. . .proving that beauty IS in the eye of the beholder.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH43NhoSKgK3Z2IVLxI68n4nh3rlGG1XK6YQ3wZpGH2LGhH_ibeSZBkv2nRUrFHRETGuCAKcQdRpfzm1-VoqhZ_j6IbSl3JsV5khXJOlXrJ1Z8BlvLiqrFbUdjhCnBJJjLWMhWXjMV9Ln8d8ydGDggdnI-Qto2PbFAC_VbQ9SoSL3fYjC_vVYa_BNQL0E/s1600/bk8.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH43NhoSKgK3Z2IVLxI68n4nh3rlGG1XK6YQ3wZpGH2LGhH_ibeSZBkv2nRUrFHRETGuCAKcQdRpfzm1-VoqhZ_j6IbSl3JsV5khXJOlXrJ1Z8BlvLiqrFbUdjhCnBJJjLWMhWXjMV9Ln8d8ydGDggdnI-Qto2PbFAC_VbQ9SoSL3fYjC_vVYa_BNQL0E/w410-h640/bk8.JPG" width="410" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE REVIEW:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's a tale as old as time. . .Beauty and the Beast. I found this story to be surprisingly engaging. Sweet without being sappy. Not much of a horror story, but still a nice read. Once again, the art is just sort of there to tell the story and not much else. Overall, I liked this one, even though it's not really what I'm looking for as part of a Halloween Horror party.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">NEXT!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">THE VASE OF CIRCE</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>SCRIPT: Freff </b><span style="font-weight: 700;">(Connor Freff Cochran)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>PENCILS: John Celardo</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>INKS: John Celardo</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE STORY:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the small Greek island of Aideus, Professor Kurland and his assistant, Fred, discover a beautiful vase. Upon examination, the Professor is excited to see that it is the culmination of a forty year career of searching. They have finally discovered the Vase of Circe!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwF8RBprvwhaIfrvm2zXGxYD8gYfsQhyphenhyphenz7JJSyo8j0q7vFTzkTbq3pcx9zI1X-DS4VK7KlrY-0a46LTXf_-fc8vIKCbKrPwKejNqyFekyTralKceqNEG2JaPvMOFd-D4U0rC2OKsV65GiHPdOPppr6Y-JQS7js5tJAtC7GTJk5Qiwxc5qL3awYfHiJ0c/s1511/bk9.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1511" data-original-width="993" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwF8RBprvwhaIfrvm2zXGxYD8gYfsQhyphenhyphenz7JJSyo8j0q7vFTzkTbq3pcx9zI1X-DS4VK7KlrY-0a46LTXf_-fc8vIKCbKrPwKejNqyFekyTralKceqNEG2JaPvMOFd-D4U0rC2OKsV65GiHPdOPppr6Y-JQS7js5tJAtC7GTJk5Qiwxc5qL3awYfHiJ0c/w420-h640/bk9.JPG" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As Fred becomes concerned with the Professor's obsession with their discovery, we learn that Circe was an ancient Greek witch, who used her powers to ensnare the hearts of men to do her evil bidding. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> As Fred studies through that night, he is startles by a strange sound. Rushing to investigate, he finds the Professor before the vase, with a strange mist coming out of it. He tries to warn the Professor, but it's too late. . .before Fred's terrified eyes, Professor Kurland is transformed into a goat-like monster!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN4MvQcPAUOx4cYeRWwFOyOD_fYMZdYnl3RP5E1OtOCiSL_aY9y0LmKs20sIzeLc6EUdcEFMfHAVFmBk3fSDwGDmo2WUByuEJa9JM1rualj74WUBoa_G3CRvSe1cSRIiwo3by-vW1Y8u00u80_f5h34cS1hUWYEsabN0T-Umoy2GUYd8ObiOZtwjHXwM/s1600/bk10.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1042" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN4MvQcPAUOx4cYeRWwFOyOD_fYMZdYnl3RP5E1OtOCiSL_aY9y0LmKs20sIzeLc6EUdcEFMfHAVFmBk3fSDwGDmo2WUByuEJa9JM1rualj74WUBoa_G3CRvSe1cSRIiwo3by-vW1Y8u00u80_f5h34cS1hUWYEsabN0T-Umoy2GUYd8ObiOZtwjHXwM/w416-h640/bk10.JPG" width="416" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The transformed Professor Kurland attacks Fred! As they struggle in the woods, Fred manages to escape. Realizing that destroying the vase is probably the best chance of saving Kurland, Fred rushes back to camp, pursued by the goat-like creature Kurland has become!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mG9zaj0WI_gwfIZNSOInzM8CJjoRH-mAtDgEDlmApF4LWsxuUzp4_ZNyuEyWjPq-DkanWvXNlqJXoQRUVnhNpASi5GEvevm2JbDT-FGx4XCWKL0709GmqsGKILcQv1wtnaGfJpToUyXg9l-XTpx-9Dwqn5HftT3zLCAWx9pucFf8R-zDgPIBSkXHILw/s1511/bk11.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1511" data-original-width="1002" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mG9zaj0WI_gwfIZNSOInzM8CJjoRH-mAtDgEDlmApF4LWsxuUzp4_ZNyuEyWjPq-DkanWvXNlqJXoQRUVnhNpASi5GEvevm2JbDT-FGx4XCWKL0709GmqsGKILcQv1wtnaGfJpToUyXg9l-XTpx-9Dwqn5HftT3zLCAWx9pucFf8R-zDgPIBSkXHILw/w424-h640/bk11.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fred grabs a hammer and destroys the vase before the goat-creature can stop him. It explodes in a blast of smoke. When the smoke clears, Kurland is himself again. . .but has no recollection of his transformation. They decide not to try and restore the vase, so that Circe's magic won't trap anyone else.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJ2_FmnIHmPzdBFXphNiARfFj4RoLMJwLFHsYw8sj-pdZZG_3kCDFmMyKgx8ar1Ca0hYHkgUOxQi0SQO762Gxf9sMA1MJSOyhK-urWX7oyzQIZd8eTop8HMWk0i79P2FmCrTN_cYzI4CetwxIIgJ3Y45Xaaw7PdeTmkc-HXfOkKYp3h2Sfk4wdd3n5f8/s1600/bk12.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1062" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJ2_FmnIHmPzdBFXphNiARfFj4RoLMJwLFHsYw8sj-pdZZG_3kCDFmMyKgx8ar1Ca0hYHkgUOxQi0SQO762Gxf9sMA1MJSOyhK-urWX7oyzQIZd8eTop8HMWk0i79P2FmCrTN_cYzI4CetwxIIgJ3Y45Xaaw7PdeTmkc-HXfOkKYp3h2Sfk4wdd3n5f8/w424-h640/bk12.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE REVIEW:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Meh. Not a very good story. Magic vase is found. Magic vase turns a man into a monster. Magic vase is destroyed. All is well. There's not much to like about this threadbare plot. It's not scary, funny, strange, or interesting at all. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's just sort of. . .there. Let's move along.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">AND FINALLY. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">INCIDENT AT ELMONT</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>SCRIPT: ?</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>PENCILS: Frank Bolle</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>INKS: Frank Bolle</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE STORY:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The day after a mysterious light is seen in the sky near the town of Elmont, a young boy named Glen finds what he thinks is some sort of strange rubber doll in the woods. He brings it home and his father takes notice of his son's new toy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18Qaa20ueGL-DEQHBlQKGCeGflxlJjL7_fGKizzSWBgssS2athioj8whgZRQbw303AJ9SZF_qZDYYZ0Qof_zppOGc0rzVUUMkSpFrcugbrhPG_H7Z1oL4uWPTtFKxSaC8Duxbae6yUMW7mXGxJIYMe13UW0MDF5SjX7Ro9vazc-TcvwSe4JV7nH0kc40/s1514/bk13.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1514" data-original-width="995" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18Qaa20ueGL-DEQHBlQKGCeGflxlJjL7_fGKizzSWBgssS2athioj8whgZRQbw303AJ9SZF_qZDYYZ0Qof_zppOGc0rzVUUMkSpFrcugbrhPG_H7Z1oL4uWPTtFKxSaC8Duxbae6yUMW7mXGxJIYMe13UW0MDF5SjX7Ro9vazc-TcvwSe4JV7nH0kc40/w420-h640/bk13.JPG" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Glen's father realizes that the "doll" isn't made of rubber. It's some sort of dead creature! Glen takes his father into the woods, and near where he found the strange creature they are astounded to find a crashed and wrecked spaceship of some kind, surrounded by more dead bodies. ALIENS! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicQZFCOsic7qam7Bzgq2_cxt_HsSXVgQWSzlvqw26ioPWkejQLye_Pstb1LUjFAy_FhkcRM4WYjWZL2uVsPcWzjZ5ZjhdvpcbpxJ0tC0NuHu0rKFsOIhy3rOucfzMciZ163c1qB-GcVCjximVHPxm51DYehfgHL5hIBdCwI9KLRA4VErT8ADdQ_87wdcc/s1600/bk14.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1062" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicQZFCOsic7qam7Bzgq2_cxt_HsSXVgQWSzlvqw26ioPWkejQLye_Pstb1LUjFAy_FhkcRM4WYjWZL2uVsPcWzjZ5ZjhdvpcbpxJ0tC0NuHu0rKFsOIhy3rOucfzMciZ163c1qB-GcVCjximVHPxm51DYehfgHL5hIBdCwI9KLRA4VErT8ADdQ_87wdcc/w424-h640/bk14.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As Glen and his father investigate the crashed ship, one remaining alien survivor stumbles from the wreck! Terrified, Glen's father tries to shoot the alien thing, but his rifle has no effect. . .and the alien begins to grow! The two of them rush for town with the still-growing alien in pursuit close behind.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0-pd5fHT4dWJ_IdmY_ObN93sQLGAY96gcPT-vuPJ0aepo6ss-G7AO1RNXCuOK-G3m7sl_04pt4fvl5itGR2Dj1UkhI9jFmHr0zbBdJ0Gz1ntD1HHksejzG8bIkjO6koUSZESI-4HXMzEu4U3jf_3sLlLWwW45ENqBq2e6NjZCePkdfmBmnkbeTobCrU/s1600/bk15.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1076" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0-pd5fHT4dWJ_IdmY_ObN93sQLGAY96gcPT-vuPJ0aepo6ss-G7AO1RNXCuOK-G3m7sl_04pt4fvl5itGR2Dj1UkhI9jFmHr0zbBdJ0Gz1ntD1HHksejzG8bIkjO6koUSZESI-4HXMzEu4U3jf_3sLlLWwW45ENqBq2e6NjZCePkdfmBmnkbeTobCrU/w430-h640/bk15.JPG" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Glen and his father make it into town and try to warn the local Sheriff, but before they can tell the story, the alien, now huge, makes its appearance! But before the terrified townfolk can do anything, the creature falls down. . .dead.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As Glen's father investigates the body of the alien, he finds a book in its hand, stretched out as if it was trying to give the book to the humans. As the alien body is taken away, Glen's father realizes that they may never be able to translate the alien language in the book. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What secrets does it hold? Mankind may never know.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Nz9MQonVPWjSOqVlGTgGMvfgi_9eM5bxJF_D_pQmrEOudfVsDpF_ijXz0oabKXpLRlk0x2yTnAUvy6O7EQSlc0dwr0A5tn2yTtTBJ4heGBxH5Zz9V3ac6ZxGAYsWHlZAVzZj9ID0pM5LJNMNeHUmoGEr6a5lfGmq0OlCWhEuMmXyfXDXcLy_lEoASXo/s1600/bk16.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1085" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Nz9MQonVPWjSOqVlGTgGMvfgi_9eM5bxJF_D_pQmrEOudfVsDpF_ijXz0oabKXpLRlk0x2yTnAUvy6O7EQSlc0dwr0A5tn2yTtTBJ4heGBxH5Zz9V3ac6ZxGAYsWHlZAVzZj9ID0pM5LJNMNeHUmoGEr6a5lfGmq0OlCWhEuMmXyfXDXcLy_lEoASXo/w434-h640/bk16.JPG" width="434" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE REVIEW:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another dud to finish off this issue. Not good. This story just doesn't make much of an impression at all. Yeah, I get that they were going for a "Twilight Zone Twist" ending, but it falls flat. The art on this story is better than the previous three, thanks to comic veteran Frank Bolle. . .whose work I'm a bit more familiar with from Doctor Solar, Man of the Atom. But even THAT doesn't save this story from being bland and forgettable.</div><div><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">CONCLUSION</span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Two pretty good stories. Two pretty bad stories. Half and half. I'm not sure I can recommend this one based on two pretty good (not great) stories. That's the problem with a lot of Gold Key comics. . .they're usually only halfway good. Every issue I've ever read of any of their anthology titles has been the same. . .a couple pretty good stories. A couple pretty bad stories.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Of the two pretty good stories in this particular issue, only one of them (the first werewolf story) can really even be looked at as a Halloween kind of story. So I guess as part of the Longbox Junk Halloween Horror Party, I can't really recommend this issue.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've said it before. . .I'll say it again. They can't ALL be winners. This one's barely even in the game.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">UP NEXT. . .</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Longbox Junk Halloween party continues!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">How about some more of that Mighty Marvel-style horror?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">WEREWOLF BY NIGHT #27!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Be there or be square.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br />Atomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07048497340899834399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025939866108320406.post-71918633487314706782023-10-11T01:09:00.004-07:002023-10-11T01:09:57.026-07:00Longbox Junk Halloween Horror Part 7 - Tales of Evil #1 (1975)Welcome to Longbox Junk, the place to find comic reviews you never even knew you wanted!<div><br /></div><div>It's PART SEVEN of the 2023 Longbox Junk Halloween Horror Party, and we're just getting started!</div><div><br /></div><div>Hmmmmm. . .something seems to be missing. Let's see. Swamp monsters. Ghosts. Aliens. Assorted weirdness. GOT IT! We're missing some of the classic horror favorites. . .werewolves, vampires, and SATAN!</div><div><br /></div><div>Let's remedy that, shall we? WE SHALL!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">TALES OF EVIL #1</span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Atlas Comics (1975)</span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Vmc6_kah-SKVOxzbJ2P16dkAeV7Ak22oekaDD8hXOUK_nuhpnnjhwlSsp7GzbASIvi3LTQ7o4A9L2lHjCXDdb-vD_XQ8zFQCIOdra5niXeD5dH9n_g_YuVk412mjcRYGLnDIOw7xwdoPzNxF-plpq2Blny3dem5oC6HTD9m1gRbEuIaIO4faLPc5_7k/s623/talesofevilcover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Vmc6_kah-SKVOxzbJ2P16dkAeV7Ak22oekaDD8hXOUK_nuhpnnjhwlSsp7GzbASIvi3LTQ7o4A9L2lHjCXDdb-vD_XQ8zFQCIOdra5niXeD5dH9n_g_YuVk412mjcRYGLnDIOw7xwdoPzNxF-plpq2Blny3dem5oC6HTD9m1gRbEuIaIO4faLPc5_7k/w410-h640/talesofevilcover.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b>COVER: Larry Lieber</b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b>THE COVER:</b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now THERE'S a great Halloween cover. A Classic Universal monster movie-style werewolf looming over his unfortunate victim while a woman screams in the background. Can you get any more Halloween than THAT? This is one of my favorite Halloween covers and it makes regular appearances on my October "Wall 'O Covers". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The only thing I DON'T like is that the werewolf's face seems a bit sloppy with the colors. Other than that, when I think Halloween comic covers, this is the sort of thing that comes right to mind. Let's get inside!</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b>THE STORIES:</b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Three full-length stories with no fillers for ONE quarter! Let's check 'em out!</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">SPAWN OF THE DEVIL!</span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">SCRIPT: Russ Jones</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">PENCILS: Jerry Grandenetti</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">INKS: Jerry Grandenetti</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE STORY:</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We begin in England, at an ancient circle of stones, where a dark magician completes a ritual that allows the spirit of Satan to inhabit a strange doll moments before he is discovered by the authorities and taken back to the asylum he had escaped from.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJP6o6qvG-osZLl2oIuK1jx4TwnkTj-x4WIo9kB2YxooSpaL9jF-haYLcYuI0-kGivg1rj3KjoPsubHdguUzRHWWRL0JGCLaUHp6osGX_taFodR_ru2-1I55ripzJywwiWcD1FEj0cN4-43jQoiETUsXQbe-r6hoMGHwvVRCZkHFSjOhoEr-vg_LXlzM/s1342/toe1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1342" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJP6o6qvG-osZLl2oIuK1jx4TwnkTj-x4WIo9kB2YxooSpaL9jF-haYLcYuI0-kGivg1rj3KjoPsubHdguUzRHWWRL0JGCLaUHp6osGX_taFodR_ru2-1I55ripzJywwiWcD1FEj0cN4-43jQoiETUsXQbe-r6hoMGHwvVRCZkHFSjOhoEr-vg_LXlzM/w430-h640/toe1.JPG" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Later, a young girl named Anna discovers the doll. Almost immediately, she is possessed by the evil spirit. Soon, Anna has prepared a secret altar to Satan in a spare room and pets in the neighborhood begin to disappear as Anna kills them for blood sacrifices. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anna's parents become concerned about her strange behavior, but it isn't until her mother discovers a bloody knife that she connects the missing pets to her daughter. Anna's horrified mother discovers the secret room and witnesses her daughter praying at the bloody altar!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzMVuLBDSQUzhyphenhyphen8JbxnICDuYWZbwsTfK9r9dDLT5N3i0M1FGf7A5R0XreD9pNDwG-yqgYDUEMhlaA1cGRxWb4btY3LYyxI2MG5mDh4DFf3q5xiI0KVHNjN0oBQbJGjyvoI8PG_9dWwTmWC1d8Qb-xQ5dTiqt6xGnrSIyyjKZP6NxIH0NSC2vVHBxwn7o/s1348/toe2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1348" data-original-width="912" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzMVuLBDSQUzhyphenhyphen8JbxnICDuYWZbwsTfK9r9dDLT5N3i0M1FGf7A5R0XreD9pNDwG-yqgYDUEMhlaA1cGRxWb4btY3LYyxI2MG5mDh4DFf3q5xiI0KVHNjN0oBQbJGjyvoI8PG_9dWwTmWC1d8Qb-xQ5dTiqt6xGnrSIyyjKZP6NxIH0NSC2vVHBxwn7o/w432-h640/toe2.JPG" width="432" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anna's father rushes home to discover the bloody body of his wife, a secret room with a bloody altar, and his daughter mocking him with an adult's voice. His mind snaps as he witnesses the spirit of Satan leave his daughter's body and reveal itself!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A fire breaks out, burning down the house. Anna's father is the only survivor. . .a broken wreck of a man babbling about the devil. He's committed to the asylum, where he meets the magician, who is preparing another doll. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnV2n2-BHLx4cAZaC-n3HrOepCux610s1VAi9wwF2l6eEgtGxklazul0ew4BKN8mtVYk6V1xY63a9Pzhp8wDJKgphRPHLoHqM_icyLFwDLf-PnUyKqy8ZF-jP-iKPoBgYW7WzzorNaLiDOpe-ExvV0JdfJeKUF3NFnuPCjM03hGi8IiX3pqyIUaFhq4w/s1348/toe3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1348" data-original-width="904" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnV2n2-BHLx4cAZaC-n3HrOepCux610s1VAi9wwF2l6eEgtGxklazul0ew4BKN8mtVYk6V1xY63a9Pzhp8wDJKgphRPHLoHqM_icyLFwDLf-PnUyKqy8ZF-jP-iKPoBgYW7WzzorNaLiDOpe-ExvV0JdfJeKUF3NFnuPCjM03hGi8IiX3pqyIUaFhq4w/w430-h640/toe3.JPG" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">THE END.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE REVIEW:</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A nasty little tale of the devil indeed! There's really not much to it, but the overall atmosphere is just creepy. A big part of that comes from the art, which reminds me of some of the pre-code horror comics I have, with chunky, dark lines, and a nightmarish, twisted exaggeration. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> Bold splashes of color continue the homage to the kind of horror comics that gave us the Comics Code. Just LOOK at the panel below and tell me it doesn't look like something straight from 1952!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLBhRtK5f0VN9OksC7My2mem4mK6l4WTKHTzgfaT9WEZL1snvr-mrk4N4WykOSnCPoEsEjTSOMSZJUA1sql_NJiaLcCAg-QUPYybRpbLOKBx1xOWxVp9XATnZFGtOwSsiP1MtrgZenTr1nUWN42pF1_e3vyOS80ivgBxAF5R1IGFUWkDktaX4bLGZ5AI/s458/toe3a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="458" data-original-width="310" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLBhRtK5f0VN9OksC7My2mem4mK6l4WTKHTzgfaT9WEZL1snvr-mrk4N4WykOSnCPoEsEjTSOMSZJUA1sql_NJiaLcCAg-QUPYybRpbLOKBx1xOWxVp9XATnZFGtOwSsiP1MtrgZenTr1nUWN42pF1_e3vyOS80ivgBxAF5R1IGFUWkDktaX4bLGZ5AI/w271-h400/toe3a.JPG" width="271" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, a creepy little tale backed up with some outstanding Golden Age homage art! This one's gotten us off to a good start for this issue. NEXT!</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">A MATTER OF BREEDING!</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">SCRIPT: Russ Jones</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">PENCILS: Mike Sekowsky</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">INKS: George Roussos (?)</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE STORY:</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We begin our tale as a bestial, yet human, creature violently kills a man and a woman in a laboratory. </div><div style="text-align: left;">But how did we get here?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hBTrKkj2jeP9MpdxhiDn4rJ6-zJBuHgLc78EKgfqWlaTODXYufGt0QMyge-VzbryTAC8Phak-4ocyolG_6AuAoyn-CSukVVUJFtTwewEahWDymxvWrGQ9dMQVCbGcpBDJPWyi3eb8yTZytfXjkD-f7TqDfRBsCpbANd6OTQEldO_DJTLP6CINlL8apM/s1345/toe4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1345" data-original-width="898" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hBTrKkj2jeP9MpdxhiDn4rJ6-zJBuHgLc78EKgfqWlaTODXYufGt0QMyge-VzbryTAC8Phak-4ocyolG_6AuAoyn-CSukVVUJFtTwewEahWDymxvWrGQ9dMQVCbGcpBDJPWyi3eb8yTZytfXjkD-f7TqDfRBsCpbANd6OTQEldO_DJTLP6CINlL8apM/w428-h640/toe4.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Irene and Andre are business partners in the hairpiece industry. Andre is a scientist and is experimenting with a world-changing hair replacement product, but their funds have ran dry. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Luckily for them, a well-known millionaire comes to them, promising to pay any price if they can make his hair grow back. Andre immediately takes advantage of their good fortune by completing his final experiment and creating pills from wolf hormones that he gives to Chester, their new millionaire partner.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBrUP-33vqTD0J2QvbKpk3KXH8yUpLQkeFz6Cn26kUCvarXi5I3xkmmIPyHybTBIVNcHsKARuaBUfTqGK5BMOBCg3N70mAPRfN0jIZth6ydazMhsQaILQmVnwUlabxZfqG498T_BdPurHLCvbFAGb8rZYLf1dqIWTAaVpgC7dLWwTv8GBrLQxbXWKjfk/s1324/toe5.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1324" data-original-width="885" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBrUP-33vqTD0J2QvbKpk3KXH8yUpLQkeFz6Cn26kUCvarXi5I3xkmmIPyHybTBIVNcHsKARuaBUfTqGK5BMOBCg3N70mAPRfN0jIZth6ydazMhsQaILQmVnwUlabxZfqG498T_BdPurHLCvbFAGb8rZYLf1dqIWTAaVpgC7dLWwTv8GBrLQxbXWKjfk/w428-h640/toe5.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They are all astounded when Chester returns with new hair growing on his head! The millionaire begins to pour more money into the project, with their first mass shipment coming soon.<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Unfortunately for Chester, over the next four days the side effects progress from mild headaches to horrific nightmares of blood and death. Chester finally realizes to his horror that he's not suffering nightmares, he's turning into a beastlike creature and committing murder each night!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbt2Ztju_1hA1-LqVdFS39sRy-kmkzev5hYKGIW6Q_cRe83ctwWJtsdKE_1jesdBDlOowymWJagog9M-iBtw-TG6XISlFnCwYd4EQGdajm5KfKQTb4ePPjBAdKlcf5Lavur7uLrWU2Z5rbjfJqKy_7FWXc9_d4DVYSzX37SZa3D5q7hbLjrW4lQrHfJJs/s1337/toe6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1337" data-original-width="884" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbt2Ztju_1hA1-LqVdFS39sRy-kmkzev5hYKGIW6Q_cRe83ctwWJtsdKE_1jesdBDlOowymWJagog9M-iBtw-TG6XISlFnCwYd4EQGdajm5KfKQTb4ePPjBAdKlcf5Lavur7uLrWU2Z5rbjfJqKy_7FWXc9_d4DVYSzX37SZa3D5q7hbLjrW4lQrHfJJs/w424-h640/toe6.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Enraged that he's been turned into a bloodthirsty monster, Chester confronts Irene and Andre and kills them both. . .but not in time to stop the first large shipment of pills from going out. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinP-RzANAKdRrcVrgPjAEmn2H8NYlXgZmyJN5FkheXftWIn7D5KJaKHKTc7Rd7iW84x3Yt8YuWP6mFvUD0DLC9T-JAasM0RgU_ofkmQqcZ0Sxj_tyAQIZdArgpJ8JTSlensKU5tjnp4VtIrAxOo1jDuhlYONuF2RNPTuf4gSetscI9g6_fZH1L8PLy4cc/s1340/toe7.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1340" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinP-RzANAKdRrcVrgPjAEmn2H8NYlXgZmyJN5FkheXftWIn7D5KJaKHKTc7Rd7iW84x3Yt8YuWP6mFvUD0DLC9T-JAasM0RgU_ofkmQqcZ0Sxj_tyAQIZdArgpJ8JTSlensKU5tjnp4VtIrAxOo1jDuhlYONuF2RNPTuf4gSetscI9g6_fZH1L8PLy4cc/w430-h640/toe7.JPG" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">THE END. OR <i>IS</i> IT?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE REVIEW:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">An interesting twist on the classic werewolf story. Instead of the moon turning a man into a beast, it's SCIENCE! Once again we have a story that delivers a homage to the Pre-Code horror comics that gave us the Comics Code. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">From the scheming couple to the innocent man caught up in their greed and having his revenge, to the dark, bold lines of the artwork, this story could have easily been in an issue of something like EC's Vault of Horror (a pre-code comic I have an issue of that will be making an appearance later on during this little party).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, I'm really liking the Golden Age horror throwback feel to this issue. This story was a great little read, and I'm hoping the Golden Age style continues into the last story. Let's find out!</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">STAKE OUT!</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">SCRIPT: Russ Jones (as Jack Younger)</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">PENCILS: Jerry Grandenetti</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">INKS: Jerry Grandenetti</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE STORY:</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We begin our tale with a man in a graveyard wondering how he'd gotten conned into this crazy game.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9M_DOGLvqYBPgXRn80hMT0H2L0IFL_MJPvl-aqmFoNKzczd13p0WGEQh0sT1h3C5OAGtl2H1N9gUtyQYSd6lCOr7qHC_tbbzTyoAUncmXd7mXb9i0oH3xk9GDXHc-gNrANtI0Vtvm01LKNDUrY1TOMwXRylA6UT5EYTjckz2_H8CqQk5YXXH4HvPjUlo/s1332/toe8.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1332" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9M_DOGLvqYBPgXRn80hMT0H2L0IFL_MJPvl-aqmFoNKzczd13p0WGEQh0sT1h3C5OAGtl2H1N9gUtyQYSd6lCOr7qHC_tbbzTyoAUncmXd7mXb9i0oH3xk9GDXHc-gNrANtI0Vtvm01LKNDUrY1TOMwXRylA6UT5EYTjckz2_H8CqQk5YXXH4HvPjUlo/w432-h640/toe8.JPG" width="432" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We skip back in time a bit to observe the man at a party, where a wager is made for one thousand dollars that he will be unable to spend a night in the cemetery. . .a cemetery that is purported to be the home of a vampire, based on legends going back over two hundred years. The man accepts the bet, firm in his belief that vampires don't exist.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVKdJTVrjjhmH8KLutI6rsEZk3TcCXbP51w5NW_8atVWoPxp-Qi9d2lD1DpdjJBvueJUoxjsAA6aWEL391xJM1pMlGnzXH4ihTJ9KVRKPlbDX9W5KWr2YDkkUWqXY7lIdxhA0bRMWsloZMUQ0PKhrGlWtqIARADVZQnbs0etsQr4Y1SPyOHsxtTBtUSdw/s1348/toe9.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1348" data-original-width="904" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVKdJTVrjjhmH8KLutI6rsEZk3TcCXbP51w5NW_8atVWoPxp-Qi9d2lD1DpdjJBvueJUoxjsAA6aWEL391xJM1pMlGnzXH4ihTJ9KVRKPlbDX9W5KWr2YDkkUWqXY7lIdxhA0bRMWsloZMUQ0PKhrGlWtqIARADVZQnbs0etsQr4Y1SPyOHsxtTBtUSdw/w430-h640/toe9.JPG" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Coming back to the present, in the cemetery, the man is startled by a ringing bell and drops his bag. As he goes to recover his belongings, he discovers stairs going down to catacombs below. . .tunnels he had not been aware of. He heads in, determined not to let fear get the better of him. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZMwvw6UTqKfa-iYwJUe3gD5iL7lZCT95ig1fPYqQ5fAbP_XAR7rUZlFru0IW3Z3va1zJqDHiGPokUyTkbSb9vk6Rvn9-fxUfgo99EPBOTSMU25PlvqrXOmhy1fp2WhgTHw6f6NtHEs6rkmAvHFow3Yi5B1wrW6mhxfV_qcey6nHTtANCn2DsfNfaRWM/s1340/toe10.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1340" data-original-width="892" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZMwvw6UTqKfa-iYwJUe3gD5iL7lZCT95ig1fPYqQ5fAbP_XAR7rUZlFru0IW3Z3va1zJqDHiGPokUyTkbSb9vk6Rvn9-fxUfgo99EPBOTSMU25PlvqrXOmhy1fp2WhgTHw6f6NtHEs6rkmAvHFow3Yi5B1wrW6mhxfV_qcey6nHTtANCn2DsfNfaRWM/w426-h640/toe10.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now inside the dank catacombs, the man is stricken by an unreasonable fear when he stumbles onto caskets, broken and open. . .he runs blindly, his one thought being to escape! He spots a light and runs toward it, clutching a sharpened stake in his hand! It must be the vampire!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyHQjbERadRRoJqrp8iny6cTawKRvkRZhFCfeS7Ab-N_UQ9K8JCdoaMEOct69uO15mEedc9su2nrA8tmuh2Z6CvAMcN8jG6aZZn1jiUHORsCQFEgTqN5wyce3wK-mPfSZBjGTiNCPMTJlrDga_LDgDKgj9FA5lACYPV5cyYuCxR21FH3fni4DpuYmEOJc/s1336/toe11.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1336" data-original-width="904" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyHQjbERadRRoJqrp8iny6cTawKRvkRZhFCfeS7Ab-N_UQ9K8JCdoaMEOct69uO15mEedc9su2nrA8tmuh2Z6CvAMcN8jG6aZZn1jiUHORsCQFEgTqN5wyce3wK-mPfSZBjGTiNCPMTJlrDga_LDgDKgj9FA5lACYPV5cyYuCxR21FH3fni4DpuYmEOJc/w434-h640/toe11.JPG" width="434" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Suddenly, a pale man stands before him! Gaining strength from fear, the man plunges the stake into his heart! Screams cry out as the movie crew rushes to grab the man that has just killed their lead actor! Unaware, the man has stumbled onto a movie set, where they are making a vampire film.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As the police lead the killer away into their car, he spots a strange man in the crowd, smiling, revealing his fangs. The REAL vampire!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDil1MyYsnmzrPO-N7cufR70PZ_dyrOygzU8dHtqnYcRP88wfzYlXD0YloAB6qZcG7Wxb-h9iP6MZ2aJr-4rJrooXgBgl69Y5E8d2NlNQ1PgPZuq3K7vZpb4fP37VLYFZcxTZrTz-h5mdkVOv_kvdHjwDyKq-2lMFVJTlf2vcnxCY63_ysCtjOJXWq_xg/s1340/toe12.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1340" data-original-width="920" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDil1MyYsnmzrPO-N7cufR70PZ_dyrOygzU8dHtqnYcRP88wfzYlXD0YloAB6qZcG7Wxb-h9iP6MZ2aJr-4rJrooXgBgl69Y5E8d2NlNQ1PgPZuq3K7vZpb4fP37VLYFZcxTZrTz-h5mdkVOv_kvdHjwDyKq-2lMFVJTlf2vcnxCY63_ysCtjOJXWq_xg/w440-h640/toe12.JPG" width="440" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">THE END.</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE REVIEW:</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A very nice, moody piece with an unexpected double twist ending. . .the vampire isn't real. . .WAIT! Yes it is! Very well done. I've read a LOT of horror comics and a twist ending I don't see coming is definitely a treat because it doesn't happen often.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This story has the same artist as the first, so it continues the Golden Age horror homage look to be found through this whole issue, with bold, chunky lines and just a bit of nightmarishly twisted exaggeration. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Overall, a very enjoyable little "twist" story backed up with MORE Golden Age horror throwback art.</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">CONCLUSION</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">This one's a winner, folks. From page one to page done, a great read, with creepy stories and great art. I REALLY enjoyed the Golden Age horror feel of this comic. I'm not sure if it was an intentional homage or not, but it's there and it's great! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I highly recommend this issue for any fan of comic book horror. It's a very nice little hidden treasure and a certified Longbox Junk gold nugget. THIS is MY idea of a great Halloween comic.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Like all the other Atlas Comics series, this one doesn't have many issues (just 3). I've discussed the sad and all-too-short story of Atlas in a little more depth <a href="https://longboxjunk.blogspot.com/2020/09/longbox-junk-retro-review-targitt-1-1975.html" target="_blank">ELSEWHERE</a> , so I won't go back over that ground except to say that they are one of the more interesting little chapters in comic history and that they were probably ahead of their time by about 20 years (In the 90s Image Comics took up pretty much the same cause as Atlas did, but with a lot more success).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But because Atlas Comics are still remembered fondly (despite having lasted less than a year), the comics they put out ARE a little collectible, and some are harder to find than others. Tales of Evil is one of the harder to find series, and I've never seen any of them in a back issue bin except this one I bought from a comic shop that was sadly going out of business.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">That's not to say they're not out there. So if you're looking for some great Golden Age horror throwback stories, keep your eyes peeled and be sure to grab any of these you might come across!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">UP NEXT. . .</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Let's keep this party going with some more Gold Key goodness. . .</div><div style="text-align: left;">BORIS KARLOFF TALES OF MYSTERY!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Be there or be square.</div>Atomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07048497340899834399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025939866108320406.post-14668778959525041372023-10-10T00:20:00.002-07:002023-10-10T00:22:15.358-07:00Longbox Junk Halloween Horror 2023 part 6 - Man-Thing #5 (1974)Welcome to Longbox Junk, where I just keep on writing comic reviews nobody asked me to!<div><br /></div><div>October is here! It's that special time of year when you can go to Wal-Mart to pick up Halloween candy, buy a turkey for Thanksgiving, AND check out the Christmas trees. . .all in one trip! </div><div><br /></div><div>But more important than any of THOSE middling holidays is the annual Longbox Junk Halloween Horror Party! It's where I try to cram as many spooky comic reviews into one month that I can. . .and really, what's Christmas compared to THAT?</div><div><br /></div><div>So let's keep this party going with a look at some Mighty Marvel-Style horror. But first, let's just get the obvious jokes out of the way, so. . .yes, I DO wrap my Man-Thing in plastic. Yes, I DO handle my Man-Thing carefully. Yes, I want you to look at my Man-Thing. And yes, I DO have a Giant-Size Man-Thing.</div><div><br /></div><div>Are we done? Okay. LET'S DO IT!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">MAN-THING #5</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Marvel (1974)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jAPL7kOJZ95arxJlr93m6iGq4k0tQqWYDbpOdx9sZuGTUuYbScrYjUt0hsb9FHSP8J1qfOpxZaylX21VIQtiGvmcBsRx3gFoflHbs2qqn23I6U7kQh5MaSu-oBwPP3FF0bYsq49crnKUqq5Ecel4olET-b7vbtdKbN7wuWol1M83wqnPX7NAgzTnPhs/s612/manthing5cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jAPL7kOJZ95arxJlr93m6iGq4k0tQqWYDbpOdx9sZuGTUuYbScrYjUt0hsb9FHSP8J1qfOpxZaylX21VIQtiGvmcBsRx3gFoflHbs2qqn23I6U7kQh5MaSu-oBwPP3FF0bYsq49crnKUqq5Ecel4olET-b7vbtdKbN7wuWol1M83wqnPX7NAgzTnPhs/w418-h640/manthing5cover.jpg" width="418" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>COVER: Mike Ploog & John Romita Sr.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE COVER:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mike Ploog is a favorite Bronze Age artist of mine. Maybe not as prolific as some other artists, but always a treat when I see his name on something. This cover is no exception. It's basically what I bought the comic for! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ploog's art is moody, detailed, and just. . .right. . .for Man-Thing. There's been a lot of other artists putting their mark on Man-Thing over the years, but for some reason, I like Ploog's version best. In other words, this is some great Bronze Age art right here! Let's get inside.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">NIGHT OF THE LAUGHING DEAD</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>SCRIPT: Steve Gerber</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>PENCILS: Mike Ploog</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>INKS: Frank Chiaramonte</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE STORY:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We begin our tale with the strange creature known as Man-Thing wandering through the swamp, pondering its existence. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFQWFnILlsATaceIMMal8hghIMudjAf_DPJRNsKvvAoR0YT35XNNaRIGqWdO1uEbl69YSjaXJRm54ns3VV5huxdYcOCKgMLlxzKwMRpP7wruDZkdIlu28Lv0AByT25cvkHJNHcbfxnd3bXHqcbYt2iz7U9sYvQCDKxkglCNVe4_1wdSIfWurcDSKH3YY/s1362/mt5aa.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1362" data-original-width="930" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFQWFnILlsATaceIMMal8hghIMudjAf_DPJRNsKvvAoR0YT35XNNaRIGqWdO1uEbl69YSjaXJRm54ns3VV5huxdYcOCKgMLlxzKwMRpP7wruDZkdIlu28Lv0AByT25cvkHJNHcbfxnd3bXHqcbYt2iz7U9sYvQCDKxkglCNVe4_1wdSIfWurcDSKH3YY/w438-h640/mt5aa.jpg" width="438" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Nearby, we find a sobbing clown with a pistol. A single shot rings out, bringing Man-Thing toward the sound. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpNV2USHc9fJfiq7mNA4lLs0jYz7I5BkgG45PjUGQ8yqx_EMCNVKGn7iQ7nzl191jJkjPxLjB5FbkbDPbKyk2vSsFLVeowNR_deepEogbrgoWmAcBrnZ4JfowUqajo9KDP8Z1bjlwzTks1ID0UZKxZC-ZBDeePqZO-ja47N3anSAffU_xN_Ver5WHBKY/s1386/mt5a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1386" data-original-width="914" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpNV2USHc9fJfiq7mNA4lLs0jYz7I5BkgG45PjUGQ8yqx_EMCNVKGn7iQ7nzl191jJkjPxLjB5FbkbDPbKyk2vSsFLVeowNR_deepEogbrgoWmAcBrnZ4JfowUqajo9KDP8Z1bjlwzTks1ID0UZKxZC-ZBDeePqZO-ja47N3anSAffU_xN_Ver5WHBKY/w422-h640/mt5a.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When Man-Thing arrives, he finds the dead body of the clown, along with a note that he can no longer read. Man-Thing struggles to understand, but fails. But during his struggle, he remembers that humans like to be put into holes in the ground after they die. And so Man-Thing carries the dead clown into the swamp. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ciqM6Y0oKvbLoMidSAGtWITCoCHl2jDbr95PO2J_Rnz6Z8lRaZPAxNZIXgUPpElqxEiIcatZseMFVCU2i4d9Z-ayJ-iEEjwYo_nIHxaYz6h97uuRhs1OJq6cMx7rYypRga3kBv0JziDig26FvS5_UsCqBcPUxXiFs1AUO-gDeq7G0BZJg7cwWFfpYuU/s1380/mt5b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="917" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ciqM6Y0oKvbLoMidSAGtWITCoCHl2jDbr95PO2J_Rnz6Z8lRaZPAxNZIXgUPpElqxEiIcatZseMFVCU2i4d9Z-ayJ-iEEjwYo_nIHxaYz6h97uuRhs1OJq6cMx7rYypRga3kBv0JziDig26FvS5_UsCqBcPUxXiFs1AUO-gDeq7G0BZJg7cwWFfpYuU/w426-h640/mt5b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">IN THE MEANTIME. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Richard Rory and Ruth Hart. . .two young people that have recently encountered Man-Thing (in issues 2 & 4) are exhausted and trying to find a motel room. They overhear an argument between a woman and a man about someone named Darrel who has gone missing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When the man angrily strikes the woman, Richard can't just stand by. He intervenes, knocking the man to the ground, but then Richard is attacked by a hulking man. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAIBUqxLtNuNShjra_2frqmoJxNSkbvQXAymXu36UexFoZExpi5Up1ZRuy40ImCbR6vQjcaahzGTYKEYaq-i43AV4Ir7_FWCSejBBjJ794lpCNpUvYUvU03jAV_GecZ28DuC6KqGOy4vtWni2HAgVIImaHKeeyKSzoR_MAL0rKs52bTQ5MkNVms7FpAdM/s1384/mt5c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1384" data-original-width="920" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAIBUqxLtNuNShjra_2frqmoJxNSkbvQXAymXu36UexFoZExpi5Up1ZRuy40ImCbR6vQjcaahzGTYKEYaq-i43AV4Ir7_FWCSejBBjJ794lpCNpUvYUvU03jAV_GecZ28DuC6KqGOy4vtWni2HAgVIImaHKeeyKSzoR_MAL0rKs52bTQ5MkNVms7FpAdM/w426-h640/mt5c.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Richard and Ruth decide to leave before things get out of hand. The woman, who introduces herself as Ayla, leaves with them. The man, who Ayla tells them is Garvey, the owner of a Carnival that just arrived in town, and the hulking man, called Tragg, decide to follow them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As they try to escape Garvey and Tragg, Ayla tells Richard and Ruth that she's an acrobat in the carnival and the missing Darrel is a clown that she loved, but betrayed. Her betrayal led Darrel to fall into a deep depression and she's worried he might do something drastic. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyyhaBbp86xvQqitS4Fll9kPhi_SNBa0FGzo6EdhjV9X7JsXsP_BBpDGxXgCjDjbO3JEUEve-AwGK8oHvEZRdi7qRKA07BCNYjkOg6q1PXQAUXN3OQ2_LIkvOASYsZNtP6BGG_CwhqLWrJl_-g0qaNVsCH7BxzS86tufJT_TmVEyKCNMgr4Z12ajA4olQ/s1386/mt5d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1386" data-original-width="922" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyyhaBbp86xvQqitS4Fll9kPhi_SNBa0FGzo6EdhjV9X7JsXsP_BBpDGxXgCjDjbO3JEUEve-AwGK8oHvEZRdi7qRKA07BCNYjkOg6q1PXQAUXN3OQ2_LIkvOASYsZNtP6BGG_CwhqLWrJl_-g0qaNVsCH7BxzS86tufJT_TmVEyKCNMgr4Z12ajA4olQ/w426-h640/mt5d.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They spot Darrel's car, and then find the clown on the edge of the swamp. But he's acting strangely, like he can't hear them. As he turns and walks into the murky swamp, they find the suicide note. They follow the clown into the swamp, determined to stop him from harming himself. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8IAbGVZJ5TA_SzW3SX1d8Ry_ORORS-CY0PuZKqM62e8kl0B1O2bmRhEaCBVcZTTigBkLNmX1a6FE_5cgl5SaK4ml2xeqFqVbjvwbjlHJx-wa9ioDrcX-rkyjMGYcBLD3DdTDXCeG0WRy4f_ExXOtt1KXWeNStMQrUTGhUgs53L-abefmq0_7f03oB7c/s1379/mt5e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1379" data-original-width="923" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8IAbGVZJ5TA_SzW3SX1d8Ry_ORORS-CY0PuZKqM62e8kl0B1O2bmRhEaCBVcZTTigBkLNmX1a6FE_5cgl5SaK4ml2xeqFqVbjvwbjlHJx-wa9ioDrcX-rkyjMGYcBLD3DdTDXCeG0WRy4f_ExXOtt1KXWeNStMQrUTGhUgs53L-abefmq0_7f03oB7c/w428-h640/mt5e.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">MEANWHILE. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In pursuit of his fleeing acrobat, Garvey and Tragg are speeding down the highway to the swamp, trying to catch up. They spot the missing clown in the middle of the road, dancing in some sort of strange spotlight. As they swerve to miss the clown, their truck slams into a tree!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1JpWxkBkUo2IfeoxfEoehZSGiclm_AM2Q3M3GJCtH5KvUD5SgOeP4gvaPmhqyXnBc-KP7WopvGczLl-8Pf9sIN6H0-GOaQLdWOygnS17nUFa45OH614xTBR-GHSyYtFxXjUTv88peLAkFRGTZyhuFi0pek53I3nB8K7MGs4ZQ6ifI000jUjiyPUXl5w/s1382/mt5f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1382" data-original-width="924" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1JpWxkBkUo2IfeoxfEoehZSGiclm_AM2Q3M3GJCtH5KvUD5SgOeP4gvaPmhqyXnBc-KP7WopvGczLl-8Pf9sIN6H0-GOaQLdWOygnS17nUFa45OH614xTBR-GHSyYtFxXjUTv88peLAkFRGTZyhuFi0pek53I3nB8K7MGs4ZQ6ifI000jUjiyPUXl5w/w428-h640/mt5f.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With Garvey seemingly dead in the flaming wreck of the truck, Tragg pulls himself free and confronts the clown, who taunts the strongman into following him into the dark swamp. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YpBDX4pgpYaPoYhr7GmyADbty-P9bRKjLYXHo8CfNpwdYdNwLg0zl60mE-gxKU9s2CTI-yE2t7FsvtyufjgBusbzEwTJ08UrI_PY4nXUegfdnIFVgIYQ8BzjAShUjcCjyPIDhyzlOZxl1WMu3j50yWRKONTwYcFW27dBSbSr-QHMyyMyEHf2PaXNN8A/s1386/mt5g.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1386" data-original-width="917" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YpBDX4pgpYaPoYhr7GmyADbty-P9bRKjLYXHo8CfNpwdYdNwLg0zl60mE-gxKU9s2CTI-yE2t7FsvtyufjgBusbzEwTJ08UrI_PY4nXUegfdnIFVgIYQ8BzjAShUjcCjyPIDhyzlOZxl1WMu3j50yWRKONTwYcFW27dBSbSr-QHMyyMyEHf2PaXNN8A/w424-h640/mt5g.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">IN THE MEANTIME. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Richard, Ruth, and Ayla continue to follow Darrel into the swamp, but lose sight of the clown. It isn't long before they spot the massive bulk of the Man-Thing! Richard is surprised. He though he'd seen the last of the creature. They follow Man-Thing to an island in the swamp, where he begins to dig a hole with a stick. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyjYJoVGKAzHZuac8MaktDqwe4jPWpxb9INcgmd4Iwhlz7OZpYy4gGVfnFAyEZmn_H57Hw_qsx4WQZ0w6-XdLCgQmsfDpTV_XgHwWn3moLg9xX_XuKKkmK9PsqAupUbEWCO9Vj7oVKevoNbUeo93nsmQcJSiHh-Tb9wO5Fl2nM_msrsqYq20KiCNPaNw/s1383/mt5h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1383" data-original-width="922" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyjYJoVGKAzHZuac8MaktDqwe4jPWpxb9INcgmd4Iwhlz7OZpYy4gGVfnFAyEZmn_H57Hw_qsx4WQZ0w6-XdLCgQmsfDpTV_XgHwWn3moLg9xX_XuKKkmK9PsqAupUbEWCO9Vj7oVKevoNbUeo93nsmQcJSiHh-Tb9wO5Fl2nM_msrsqYq20KiCNPaNw/w426-h640/mt5h.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>After a few moments, Ayla finally spots the dead body of Darrel. She rushes out and so do Richard and Ruth, mistakenly thinking that Man-Thing killed the clown, Richard shouts at the creature, driving it back into the darkness of the swamp in confusion as Ayla sobs over the dead body of her former lover. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrbJM5B9qbd02dZkdEdCZvxw-7uUtI4DgfZhcEk8if1-LaPbB2MIrt2iItcSM7KQMYss-XuZIQxJLuL4wXtG_JOJGV9RbhuqkBJUwDKr4rfWkjEyLB9EokBAUNszeC-xLcQcVoreYBrRH9piVrEpj1HuvD3nbdVXc-dRdCvDm4-WT-sMh_t3lm9Pwbr9s/s1395/mt5i.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1395" data-original-width="917" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrbJM5B9qbd02dZkdEdCZvxw-7uUtI4DgfZhcEk8if1-LaPbB2MIrt2iItcSM7KQMYss-XuZIQxJLuL4wXtG_JOJGV9RbhuqkBJUwDKr4rfWkjEyLB9EokBAUNszeC-xLcQcVoreYBrRH9piVrEpj1HuvD3nbdVXc-dRdCvDm4-WT-sMh_t3lm9Pwbr9s/w420-h640/mt5i.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As Man-Thing watches from behind the trees, trying to understand what's going on, Richard realizes that the clown has been shot. Man-Thing couldn't have been responsible for his death. As the three of them try to figure out what's happening, Tragg stumbles onto the scene!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When Richard tries to stop Tragg from manhandling Darell's dead body, Tragg brutally attacks him, attracting the attention of Man-Thing, who leaps into battle with Tragg. . .who is confused, but welcomes a stand-up fight at last!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunEkbUhBAbrV8htf5_oBIk5lMM4qbZdbZ2dBV2LYCIKklLMNNP3gYtpec97otaM86xdEvnjaoCR9FvqrSfnHSOq3eHsxfabl-jPp5smefYmzy3onRcw61pYkTpelfomqCpyguVB9fa3xrNLghonaywNbd_NQnVRMRGrj6dqpqvms1uT2Fda-73SVulHY/s1382/mt5j.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1382" data-original-width="922" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunEkbUhBAbrV8htf5_oBIk5lMM4qbZdbZ2dBV2LYCIKklLMNNP3gYtpec97otaM86xdEvnjaoCR9FvqrSfnHSOq3eHsxfabl-jPp5smefYmzy3onRcw61pYkTpelfomqCpyguVB9fa3xrNLghonaywNbd_NQnVRMRGrj6dqpqvms1uT2Fda-73SVulHY/w426-h640/mt5j.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A brutal brawl ensues between the carnival strongman and Man-Thing. While Tragg feels no fear and Man-Thing can't burn him, it's not long before the creature gains the upper hand and begins to drown Tragg in the murky swamp water as the terrified trio of humans look on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But vague memories of humanity keep Man-Thing from killing Tragg. And as he lets the defeated carnival strongman up from the water, something strange happens. . .a ghostly spirit rises from Darrel's dead body!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBEGZZ922CKmzg0T14P07JJvbPQbX8tn8PJaAEpN046z5OvkHefKyS4hIxxCCSdCJYC2M7nn4VKKubs3LSgGuN28PYLIDxtOzsE-avQJubA_bYc5Jj1q44KXoidvQi9u54adfdKc50yjnDUqHlLD58PQqbzq5gAGHilSOYGOc-OeSXxMAs78iyo-cYbM0/s1384/mt5k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1384" data-original-width="920" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBEGZZ922CKmzg0T14P07JJvbPQbX8tn8PJaAEpN046z5OvkHefKyS4hIxxCCSdCJYC2M7nn4VKKubs3LSgGuN28PYLIDxtOzsE-avQJubA_bYc5Jj1q44KXoidvQi9u54adfdKc50yjnDUqHlLD58PQqbzq5gAGHilSOYGOc-OeSXxMAs78iyo-cYbM0/w426-h640/mt5k.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As the spectral spirit laughs, Ayla asks it what it wants from them. It answers that they will be witnesses and actors in some sort of show based on the clown's life. . .and that his very soul hangs in the balance!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyR2086C7Vi1odWJtSQ9shExXgUwXWvmNL3ZOOYpscBA2OlCZgrwk9cZIYXaPjimo286OlkuAGNnIoT1TTzXwFfsiWZr5AThGm6F-w5CjXhj9b5KbaQ7cnZmINWP-ALBnY0bX3MOl_F-MNvc8mGmZ2Ff7K9FZGJtaWPB5GrYvwTshlBIXdc5V66_5ZZFY/s1380/mt5l.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="918" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyR2086C7Vi1odWJtSQ9shExXgUwXWvmNL3ZOOYpscBA2OlCZgrwk9cZIYXaPjimo286OlkuAGNnIoT1TTzXwFfsiWZr5AThGm6F-w5CjXhj9b5KbaQ7cnZmINWP-ALBnY0bX3MOl_F-MNvc8mGmZ2Ff7K9FZGJtaWPB5GrYvwTshlBIXdc5V66_5ZZFY/w426-h640/mt5l.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">TO BE CONTINUED. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE REVIEW:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well. . .THAT escalated quickly. Unfortunately this is not a complete story, but part 1 of a two-part tale. That said, this issue sets up the conclusion well enough that I want to read more! I DO have the next issue and (in my humble opinion) in these two issues Steve Gerber gives us one of the strangest and most compelling Man-Thing stories of them all!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But even without the second part, this issue is just a great read. Steve Gerber is a writer that many comic fans place on a pedestal, and with stories like this, it's easy to see why. This tale is dark, creepy, and strange. It's setup for even MORE strangeness to come, but on its own it's the sort of weird story that grabs the reader.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And speaking of grabbing the reader, Mike Ploog's art is the perfect style for this weird little tale. It's as dark and twisted as the story itself. Every page is a feast for the eyes, and his depiction of the swampy backgrounds of the story are fantastic and nightmarish! They couldn't have picked a better artist for this story.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">CONCLUSION</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This Man-Thing ghost story isn't complete, but you can find it in complete form fairly easily in a number of collections. I highly recommend this issue (and really, the entire first volume of Man-Thing) to any fan of Bronze Age horror comics looking for something a little different. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The writing and art through the whole 20 issue run is top notch Bronze Age comic book greatness that, if you haven't read it, you're in for a treat. It's Halloween. . .you deserve a treat!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Finding the individual issues might be a bit of a challenge because both Swamp Thing and Man-Thing got caught up in a bit of a speculator grab not long ago. Before that, it wasn't hard to find Man-Thing in the back issue bins. I haven't seen one for a while now, though. But, like I said above, there are a number of collections. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you're looking for some dark, strange, and creepy horror/suspense comics with some great Bronze Age artwork, then Man-Thing is definitely something to keep your eye out for.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">UP NEXT. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I keep telling Ed Gosney over at <a href="https://edgosney.com/" target="_blank">COOL COMICS IN MY COLLECTION</a> that I'm going to hit some Atlas Comics here at Longbox Junk one of these days. I think it's time to make good on that with Atlas' TALES OF EVIL!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Be there or be square.</div></div>Atomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07048497340899834399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025939866108320406.post-58891196405884895782023-10-09T00:37:00.008-07:002023-10-09T00:41:28.017-07:00Longbox Junk Halloween Horror 2023 part 5 - Weird War Tales #80 (1979)Welcome to Longbox Junk, the place to find comic reviews you never even knew you wanted!<div><br /></div><div>WAR! What is is good for? Absolutely nuthin'! </div><div><br /></div><div>Well. . .unless we're talking about DC's Weird War Tales, THEN war is good for some cool stories and great art! Let's keep the 2023 Longbox Junk Halloween Party going with a dip into one of my favorite comic series of them all. . .Weird War Tales!</div><div><br /></div><div>Ready, let's do this!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">WEIRD WAR TALES #80</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">DC (1979)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7J8YApHP6foXH9s4hLdRTnz5y9GNVYASFuI4oQM7sDQdSPWB9nDH2AFOKF2PtvWxsrpBf8sjVff9gOOjFNg4LRYJUXUYGO1qpwWZsL7Zri3xcs7hI7QDkCg1fAfbJREQcUrdQZI-NOWxyC5zA0gVI0XsR1CvqUP3HV0i_DPxKLY9-9gLHz12-5dYNBDs/s609/weirdwartales80cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="609" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7J8YApHP6foXH9s4hLdRTnz5y9GNVYASFuI4oQM7sDQdSPWB9nDH2AFOKF2PtvWxsrpBf8sjVff9gOOjFNg4LRYJUXUYGO1qpwWZsL7Zri3xcs7hI7QDkCg1fAfbJREQcUrdQZI-NOWxyC5zA0gVI0XsR1CvqUP3HV0i_DPxKLY9-9gLHz12-5dYNBDs/w420-h640/weirdwartales80cover.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>COVER: Joe Kubert</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>THE COVER:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">What a cover! The late, great Joe Kubert hits a home run with THIS Bronze Age beauty! The detail, the bold colors, the. . .everything! There's nothing I don't like about this cover. Joe Kubert is in my top 3 favorite comic artists and stuff like THIS is the reason why! Such a great piece of work. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Let's get inside!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>THE STORIES:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Three stories and a one page filler. Not bad for four thin dimes! </div><div style="text-align: left;">Let's check them each out in their own turn, shall we? WE SHALL!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But first. . .</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Normally I don't do this, but BAM! Page One. THIS!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdD7HXPYuAAaqYrVnKRbPtSQpbgQ42jOnGLc9g62jNw10-Y63B5pctzw-Y8YflPPnTDVvmlKqKVeCzxsnKFYLjDHrIXjPEPtKmeDUrrIS9SRY2TUeeZuhzopxKBuV2xtBsPS9cj6LyeQ485p2yMRT-GV1k9hRO5nNveM_voe2iZttbx6b2xBp-GaEUiY/s1389/wwt80ad.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1389" data-original-width="948" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdD7HXPYuAAaqYrVnKRbPtSQpbgQ42jOnGLc9g62jNw10-Y63B5pctzw-Y8YflPPnTDVvmlKqKVeCzxsnKFYLjDHrIXjPEPtKmeDUrrIS9SRY2TUeeZuhzopxKBuV2xtBsPS9cj6LyeQ485p2yMRT-GV1k9hRO5nNveM_voe2iZttbx6b2xBp-GaEUiY/w436-h640/wwt80ad.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Star Trek fans that weren't around when these ads started popping up simply DO NOT understand the excitement. Looking at this ad even all these years later gives me a little thrill of anticipation. Okay. I'm old. Let's get into the comic.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">AN OLD MAN'S PROFESSION</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>SCRIPT: Steve Gerber</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>PENCILS: Josh Jodloman</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>INKS: Josh Jodloman</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>THE STORY:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sometime in the future, in a crumbling city, heavily-armed street gangs are slowly taking control from the government. Once such gang, The Mongol Savages. . .calling themselves "The People's Army", confront a defiant old man while establishing a piece of territory. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The old man stands up to their leaders' demand for respect and the enraged gang leader shoots him.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfR15eBRCLs3FQvv7eMlUh2wynx1TpsW_X9pgB4zFRP4-KX7_Iefr80LCKwZ1ISU76S8PMsamUqAhgqjcszNqOr1ZCwG6Ymw-IVHRqozL6cTcegKL4X1koK1-xjUFf3U0jAsobyI8E3Cf3vnKnKnVyguwz9Sm-TJyaLpWhrmLBPtL7KR2CNA7TzvXhr04/s1382/wwt80a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1382" data-original-width="902" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfR15eBRCLs3FQvv7eMlUh2wynx1TpsW_X9pgB4zFRP4-KX7_Iefr80LCKwZ1ISU76S8PMsamUqAhgqjcszNqOr1ZCwG6Ymw-IVHRqozL6cTcegKL4X1koK1-xjUFf3U0jAsobyI8E3Cf3vnKnKnVyguwz9Sm-TJyaLpWhrmLBPtL7KR2CNA7TzvXhr04/w418-h640/wwt80a.jpg" width="418" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>The old man survives the attempt on his life, and after an extended period in a coma, wakes and immediately heads to the Mongol Savages' headquarters. When the old man confronts him, he's mocked for a a fool, but he informs the gang that he met some interesting new friends while on the edge of death. . .REAL warriors. </div><div><br /></div><div>He somehow summons forth a small army of ghostly warriors from many different time periods. After the gang is decimated, the old man confronts the leader of the gang in single combat and kills him with a baseball bat.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagDVyCKmhxcktc8qk3gQPJ4uVtAzNQRqEVizOHBFNMAnUQ6JC2L4GoZRiLcVsL6LN3ltvB1Cx8e1R_03qCHYXylLUOnOrZSmVAhGVOAXlSLLquC9gE8kA8mO8cEFNPhfXM-6oRg1aALHktPRTBlVzk0flFQxAWlqvIvzcD35bLOjAuXchhuc98naQVnI/s1386/wwt80b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1386" data-original-width="927" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagDVyCKmhxcktc8qk3gQPJ4uVtAzNQRqEVizOHBFNMAnUQ6JC2L4GoZRiLcVsL6LN3ltvB1Cx8e1R_03qCHYXylLUOnOrZSmVAhGVOAXlSLLquC9gE8kA8mO8cEFNPhfXM-6oRg1aALHktPRTBlVzk0flFQxAWlqvIvzcD35bLOjAuXchhuc98naQVnI/w428-h640/wwt80b.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The End.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>THE REVIEW:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hmmmm. . .okay. Not a great start. I was a little excited to see Steve Gerber as the writer on this opening tale, but it just sort of falls flat. It feels like not much effort was put into it. There's no explanation as to HOW the old man was suddenly able to summon ghost warriors. The ending is abrupt. The whole thing is just sort of confusing. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There doesn't seem to be much of a point at all beyond some sage wisdom I learned when I was a younger man. . .Don't fight an old man. Old man don't give a DAMN. Well, at least the art is very nicely done, so there's that.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">NEXT!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">HEADS UP</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>SCRIPT: Paul Kupperberg</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>PENCILS: Ruben Yandoc</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>INKS: Ruben Yandoc</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>THE STORY:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Vietnam War. PFC Dave Heller is separated from his unit and takes refuge in a cave. When the entrance tunnel is blocked, he goes deeper and finds a dead end with a strange jade idol and a bunch of smaller jade figures carved as if they are crawling on it. . .</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VL5bEDU1jmniY5-1PoKq0UoWZYLzUVuMATX9VU_eSOvXjEVb7ASgk4T3NhkdCJ_00TWqOzZJRO-vuIP26T9tHXoOCSlpkwfezyRjPRkf5x0VoM4OolS_ApCt5RYf-hM7VFAIRI4STCye4JMr3TAsnrAkeAz1SZ2l7-G1aC4AlXP7dNJzQBVqQg_kdbU/s1388/wwt80c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1388" data-original-width="915" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VL5bEDU1jmniY5-1PoKq0UoWZYLzUVuMATX9VU_eSOvXjEVb7ASgk4T3NhkdCJ_00TWqOzZJRO-vuIP26T9tHXoOCSlpkwfezyRjPRkf5x0VoM4OolS_ApCt5RYf-hM7VFAIRI4STCye4JMr3TAsnrAkeAz1SZ2l7-G1aC4AlXP7dNJzQBVqQg_kdbU/w422-h640/wwt80c.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As the days pass, the desperate soldier tries to dig his way out of the cave, but with no success. Unnerved by the staring jade statue, he takes his anger and frustration out on it, destroying its head.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To his horror, the tiny figures come to life, crawling on the soldier and swarming him like insects. When we leave the story, we see what has become of the hapless soldier. . .his head has been torn off to replace the one he destroyed. The tiny figures resume their silent worship of the hidden idol.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFpMpzpcwzEpSIwBFvATbjUk5p947fxPRM49QziPsxoub5CMRFTsX2R8JIsdCKPGu05PO0PvZ0QuU6G6l-x1VNkalgYV9v_Si-E92OAlTLljddiZKvF0g51jM9ZpF2OU1Tjk-eefVF1xdHn5dOzW0-nSVJSOij_SePuzGW4cG71631Lv200Pj4JI2MxA/s1391/wwt80d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1391" data-original-width="914" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFpMpzpcwzEpSIwBFvATbjUk5p947fxPRM49QziPsxoub5CMRFTsX2R8JIsdCKPGu05PO0PvZ0QuU6G6l-x1VNkalgYV9v_Si-E92OAlTLljddiZKvF0g51jM9ZpF2OU1Tjk-eefVF1xdHn5dOzW0-nSVJSOij_SePuzGW4cG71631Lv200Pj4JI2MxA/w420-h640/wwt80d.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The End.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>THE REVIEW:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">*sigh* I'm beginning to think the best thing about this issue is going to be the cover and the Star Trek ad. I like that they set a story during Vietnam (which had "ended" only a few years before), but that's really about ALL I like about this little tale. A shame, because Paul Kupperberg is usually a better writer than this. I guess only having two pages to tell a story cramped him a little too much.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's hoping the last story will be better than the first two. LET'S GO!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">RING OF FIRE!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>SCRIPT: Robert Kanigher</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>PENCILS: Ric Estrada</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>INKS: Ric Estrada</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>THE STORY:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Every night Lieutenant Gwen Talley has horrible nightmares of her beloved RAF Flight Leader Denny Huntley's gruesome death over the English Channel at the hands of a German flying a black and white-striped Messerschmitt. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5BvsOZt1seN95PDTiTk7lw4tFLWWkDQE7ue5h904aoEwPfw_oiZENFUWowzW3Hw2zg-zEZE75cFuTveMt_m1X27uTc0DrZbWom8KeS45lSAgl7QemRmWRL2ePrG3QSXaEXGLIPfWNJahMhGfMexH9309wyY_VPQLuafkICIXRgSM-PJlElDwW7ce4PI/s1385/wwt80e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1385" data-original-width="919" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5BvsOZt1seN95PDTiTk7lw4tFLWWkDQE7ue5h904aoEwPfw_oiZENFUWowzW3Hw2zg-zEZE75cFuTveMt_m1X27uTc0DrZbWom8KeS45lSAgl7QemRmWRL2ePrG3QSXaEXGLIPfWNJahMhGfMexH9309wyY_VPQLuafkICIXRgSM-PJlElDwW7ce4PI/w424-h640/wwt80e.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When she ferries a new plane to Huntley's unit, the two decide not to waste the opportunity and get married that very night. But before they can celebrate, the siren signal to scramble sounds, and Huntley is off to engage the enemy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As the battle over the Channel rages, Gwen realizes that she's hearing the same radio calls as in her nightmares. She rushes to her plane and flies into the battle, spotting her love getting shot down by the striped Messerschmitt!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-_SUbpw3GeS2ct2ievDFE0962IF5P1uwtBEvlKY9W4a18wHYOyiTPsniRGwIFrwluregKX1MJ93267UczCL3V1nJw7zUcE2mSE2lZ3hoAXrDerJK2wOjGQiQHnSzbFbXfmLBIZy7VIPAmCEFyWHdGXvhUYxY9tI3hkMnwZQRFqEYsdHYrGVApYRwIJI/s1382/wwt80f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1382" data-original-width="910" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-_SUbpw3GeS2ct2ievDFE0962IF5P1uwtBEvlKY9W4a18wHYOyiTPsniRGwIFrwluregKX1MJ93267UczCL3V1nJw7zUcE2mSE2lZ3hoAXrDerJK2wOjGQiQHnSzbFbXfmLBIZy7VIPAmCEFyWHdGXvhUYxY9tI3hkMnwZQRFqEYsdHYrGVApYRwIJI/w422-h640/wwt80f.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Realizing that her plane is unarmed, she slams into the Messerschmitt. . .but too late to save Denny! As their bodies sink to the bottom of the English Channel, hers comes to a rest beside her beloved. They will now be together forever.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjjo3VmipHLijy7j3Z7JtKiQi4K_Fz4TYRLNVf_qTtRWcsrAoHx1WIIUMixRso4he08sbEscvghvCXLr1j9slWLD63EhMAGdA6UDIOuq1PV5yS75auRx44D73duOs9tdK4YlD6FkO6stKUW1iNJCr2xQY2WttMiFgmiQjq0e2egRfGKRb0xck2HPyU3k/s1383/wwt80g.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1383" data-original-width="910" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjjo3VmipHLijy7j3Z7JtKiQi4K_Fz4TYRLNVf_qTtRWcsrAoHx1WIIUMixRso4he08sbEscvghvCXLr1j9slWLD63EhMAGdA6UDIOuq1PV5yS75auRx44D73duOs9tdK4YlD6FkO6stKUW1iNJCr2xQY2WttMiFgmiQjq0e2egRfGKRb0xck2HPyU3k/w422-h640/wwt80g.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The End.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>THE REVIEW:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thank God for the late, great Robert Kanigher. When I see his name on a title, I know I'm going to get a good story. Maybe not a GREAT story, but at least it will be good. Kanigher is a solid, reliable writer and I'm rarely disappointed. He manages to save this issue of Weird War tales with a decent story about nightmarish premonition and one woman's attempt to defy fate.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Is it the BEST story I've ever seen from Kanigher? Not by a long shot. But it IS pretty good, and it's backed up by some very nice, detailed art by Ric Estrada. These two creators manage to carry this whole issue on their shoulders.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">AND FINALLY. . .</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">TECHNOLOGY. . .13TH CENTURY STYLE</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>SCRIPT: Murray Boltinoff</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>PENCILS: Sid Greene</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>INKS: Sid Greene</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>THE STORY:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">During the Cold War, Soviet spies seek to thwart Americans from intercepting their messages. One of them decides to use ancient methods. . .messenger pigeons. They don't realize that even ancient methods have ancient countermeasures as their pigeon is intercepted by a hawk.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbg2BOqc4kxDi3LFtDq1xpKsKMmTzchWRS5owjNu_94Os8JOnf7S_I39RplU3oWP1axfp_fGcY5aWWuyK9e_PyxnltUQHM3hHVUYKQbfv1TJb-EIJ2uxXTpo1aY8BYcdfjicwtqGM1RnZ1q8eqLb8SXK43lMVX1brQfGsospbuY5XEueURBOchu8ExTB4/s1406/wwt80storya.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1406" data-original-width="926" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbg2BOqc4kxDi3LFtDq1xpKsKMmTzchWRS5owjNu_94Os8JOnf7S_I39RplU3oWP1axfp_fGcY5aWWuyK9e_PyxnltUQHM3hHVUYKQbfv1TJb-EIJ2uxXTpo1aY8BYcdfjicwtqGM1RnZ1q8eqLb8SXK43lMVX1brQfGsospbuY5XEueURBOchu8ExTB4/w422-h640/wwt80storya.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The End.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE REVIEW:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yep. This one page filler is. . .filler. It's not BAD. It's just sort of there. Doing it's job. Taking up an extra page. It does a great job at that. And we're done.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">CONCLUSION</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Weird War Tales is one of my all-time favorite comic series. I've been working on a full run for quite some time (Got about twenty more to go. Seems the later issues are the hardest to find), and I know that some of the issues can be a bit hit or miss.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Unfortunately, this is one of those issues that's mostly a miss. FANTASTIC cover by the great Joe Kubert, and one decent tale courtesy of the reliable Robert Kanigher (and a cool Star Trek ad) are about all this issue has going for it.. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now I sort of wish I hadn't pulled this one at random from my Weird War Tales run and had taken the time to find something a little better. I don't want anyone reading this review to think that this issue is representative of the whole series. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Like I said, the series has a lot of hit or miss to be sure, but there are some REALLY good issues of Weird War Tales, and I highly recommend the series for any comic fan looking for some spooky Bronze Age fun with a bit of a twist.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">UP NEXT. . .</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Let's get into some Mighty Marvel horror, shall we?</div><div style="text-align: left;">Whoever knows fear burns at the touch of. . .MAN-THING!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Be there or be square.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><b><br /></b></div></div>Atomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07048497340899834399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025939866108320406.post-18564499244009018582023-10-05T01:25:00.003-07:002023-10-05T01:49:39.383-07:00Longbox Junk Halloween Horror 2023 part 4 - The Many Ghosts of Dr. Graves #56 (1976)Welcome to Longbox Junk, the blog stuffed absolutely FULL of comic reviews nobody asked me to write!<div><br /></div><div>October is here! There's a nip of cold in the air and Wal-Mart has their Christmas trees out! Only a few more weeks until I get to see our otherwise very normal 40-something secretary stumbling drunk in a sexy kitty costume at the company Halloween party!</div><div><br /></div><div>But THAT'S not the Longbox Junk Halloween party. Let's keep THIS party going by inviting a few more ghosts, shall we? WE SHALL!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE MANY GHOSTS OF DR. GRAVES #56</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Charlton (1976)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9IvqbU8UmqEhPOCKfxVBGSULdv9VsrRd-OqSLtjutaRu1vwQzdquqMFi2C0vQXzgN1uVspIOrmjI4dmrlT-zH-z58kdzHZ1SwpITtAnDVSLW60WbqG8nG-nxi9Vv9SVPy5aUxLk_yQe5nBgHSdT3_DS0XYAklcSwzctij0KxMflydeFxCd3iRj0ReKT8/s607/ghostsofdrgraves56cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9IvqbU8UmqEhPOCKfxVBGSULdv9VsrRd-OqSLtjutaRu1vwQzdquqMFi2C0vQXzgN1uVspIOrmjI4dmrlT-zH-z58kdzHZ1SwpITtAnDVSLW60WbqG8nG-nxi9Vv9SVPy5aUxLk_yQe5nBgHSdT3_DS0XYAklcSwzctij0KxMflydeFxCd3iRj0ReKT8/w422-h640/ghostsofdrgraves56cover.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>COVER: Mike Zeck</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE COVER:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For some reason,,I don't like this cover very much. It's not a bad cover. . .I've seen a LOT worse, trust me. It's very nicely-done and filled with detail. I don't know why it's not hitting the spot. I think maybe I just don't really like the monster, because I do like almost everything else here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyway, for Mike Zeck fans, this is his first published cover, so there's that. Let's get inside!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE STORIES:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Three full-length stories, a one page filler, and a two page text story pack this comic FULL of spooky stuff. Let's take a look at each one in their own turn. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">AN AMUSING PLACE</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>SCRIPT: Joe Gill (as Tom Tuna)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>PENCILS: Jose Ferrer</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>INKS: Jose Ferrer</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE STORY:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We follow a young man as he flees the scene of a murder. . .a robbery gone wrong. Pursued by the police, he takes refuge in an old amusement park that is closed on this rainy night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMaezWyLrXrNXt-gZ_Wx_IkNK_3zfMzOQ0_IiD0kMcpGJp4c2mUQsmdeNtDsfNCiIE69qRN-XHTFGJvutR5MinYMfGRz9qPtVy7m8TX27y-17Ct9Hp9_QM6CvWvUz0OFf4bNLSifzF27mV7Skciv_hEzWuaMKudLAoQp4qn0-pwJIx3Pan4ADtcKZAR0/s1428/godga.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1428" data-original-width="957" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMaezWyLrXrNXt-gZ_Wx_IkNK_3zfMzOQ0_IiD0kMcpGJp4c2mUQsmdeNtDsfNCiIE69qRN-XHTFGJvutR5MinYMfGRz9qPtVy7m8TX27y-17Ct9Hp9_QM6CvWvUz0OFf4bNLSifzF27mV7Skciv_hEzWuaMKudLAoQp4qn0-pwJIx3Pan4ADtcKZAR0/w428-h640/godga.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The killer quickly realizes that something is terribly wrong with the park as the lights, music and rides turn on and off by themselves. As he runs through the park, trying to escape, the rides and other attractions torment the young man.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Later that night, two police officers find his dead body. Recognizing him as the killer they've been looking for, they find it ironic that he died in the very amusement park owned by the man he had murdered! DUN-DUN-DUNNN!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZH-bFREnQC72fri_jRwgFsYGO4KKP16KCJyROGIsZTy4Wkg_6IufEXq12lu8T2NUmVpF2KEw-B-b8cUZpLmEAL2zyWhNbrTR_0lKFR97-EJ17R8TVdpdgbicv1i1cMNZAs7c-RJxbF4kmD0cTXNqswjCAXpvR92gSi2a4bsUYVEwfYmIlnzkGmUMTTpg/s1414/godgb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1414" data-original-width="974" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZH-bFREnQC72fri_jRwgFsYGO4KKP16KCJyROGIsZTy4Wkg_6IufEXq12lu8T2NUmVpF2KEw-B-b8cUZpLmEAL2zyWhNbrTR_0lKFR97-EJ17R8TVdpdgbicv1i1cMNZAs7c-RJxbF4kmD0cTXNqswjCAXpvR92gSi2a4bsUYVEwfYmIlnzkGmUMTTpg/w440-h640/godgb.jpg" width="440" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The End.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE REVIEW:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And we start off with yet ANOTHER "Murdered Man Gets Revenge From Beyond The Grave" ghost story. *sigh* The 2023 Longbox Junk Halloween party is having a bit of trouble finding some good ghost stories, I guess. I mean, it's not a BAD story, it's well-written and I really like the dark and moody artwork. . .it's just that. . .come on. Is EVERY ghost story in these Bronze Age anthologies going to tug on the same story hook? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, not a BAD story, and the art is really good. I'd just like to see something different.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> NEXT!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">THE GUARDIAN!</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>SCRIPT: ? (Joe Gill?)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>PENCILS: Steve Ditko</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>INKS: Steve Ditko</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE STORY:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When a thief learns that the loyal protector of an old man's safe stuffed with cash has died, leaving the loot unguarded, he decides to make an easy score. Unfortunately, he finds the safe still protected. . .by the guard's GHOST! DUN-DUN-DUNNN!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_NXcP2BTBs2YEUwSIs7CQDC75VIPoX18bYnZ0v0nnoOc4y4rvvCJax4_tozXqnxTyU0-t2ozXiOXo6sDpB9-ZXN4HSuqJFw4lIQ-qx0UlBzUZ8x2ZYYtDBoyuznfcdcAPoqGQjkdcadDhfp3v2H3ngUL2FRWIwexxMDFctk_k1jLDRAWyAV5NZBAb3M/s1435/godgc.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1435" data-original-width="957" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_NXcP2BTBs2YEUwSIs7CQDC75VIPoX18bYnZ0v0nnoOc4y4rvvCJax4_tozXqnxTyU0-t2ozXiOXo6sDpB9-ZXN4HSuqJFw4lIQ-qx0UlBzUZ8x2ZYYtDBoyuznfcdcAPoqGQjkdcadDhfp3v2H3ngUL2FRWIwexxMDFctk_k1jLDRAWyAV5NZBAb3M/w426-h640/godgc.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE REVIEW:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This one page filler is just that. Filler. It's painfully predictable and the art by comic legend Steve Ditko looks sketchy and unfinished. It's cool that they told a whole story in six panels, but other than that, there's not much going for this one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">NEXT!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">HOUSE GUEST</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>SCRIPT: Joe Gill</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>PENCILS: Charles Nicholas</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>INKS: Vince Alascia</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE STORY:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A famous retired actress comes to Doctor Graves to hire him for an investigation of her mansion. It seems that there's a ghost wandering about. She's not frightened, but just wants to bring the spirit some peace, if she can. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Doctor Graves agrees to take the case. Later, at the mansion, Graves studies the history of the old house and discovers that one of the owners disappeared in 1871. His younger brother was declared heir and married the missing man's widow. Graves has found his ghost!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVakrLk6el-rkFl963UZ565V07GkRaED5Lq_NIHLFTum_loSQ5nz6Ed-IoJzVxmvUIaPGFWtiiUJvAtZGEE7cb-pRLR01Cu6k-RexmiV_W5gTTmgfN7TFwfx-d3VYU-rx5NbtXsOpdfdwepW9iBOqGKbwEb0Jt8lwWX2ua3BlHSoSD96-WdyEPTbRJKK8/s1393/godgd.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1393" data-original-width="946" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVakrLk6el-rkFl963UZ565V07GkRaED5Lq_NIHLFTum_loSQ5nz6Ed-IoJzVxmvUIaPGFWtiiUJvAtZGEE7cb-pRLR01Cu6k-RexmiV_W5gTTmgfN7TFwfx-d3VYU-rx5NbtXsOpdfdwepW9iBOqGKbwEb0Jt8lwWX2ua3BlHSoSD96-WdyEPTbRJKK8/w434-h640/godgd.jpg" width="434" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Doctor Graves discovers a sealed off portion of the mansion by studying the architect's drawings. There, he finds the Skeletal remains of the long-missing man and they are laid to rest with a proper burial. . .hopefully bringing the wandering spirit some peace.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM85UeQvgeKKqaCT3vyUyh2b1qD_GLR7ylSlPHjY1FtWK6uIAe-NIylp_PxxusVQTBZLaHDrTgAUBa_M4AjaBXxMnJKkQXbHrshXMa1sPxzh_R2PwZVSqTxolX9hfiZDVh4B8grC6SQFUkqAzNfr8aj5MjyKN3R3k9PeeP-Rtrz5Qj5kSv3a6zGRfredI/s1426/godgf.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1426" data-original-width="943" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM85UeQvgeKKqaCT3vyUyh2b1qD_GLR7ylSlPHjY1FtWK6uIAe-NIylp_PxxusVQTBZLaHDrTgAUBa_M4AjaBXxMnJKkQXbHrshXMa1sPxzh_R2PwZVSqTxolX9hfiZDVh4B8grC6SQFUkqAzNfr8aj5MjyKN3R3k9PeeP-Rtrz5Qj5kSv3a6zGRfredI/w424-h640/godgf.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After the funeral, a handsome man introduces himself to the actress as a distant relative of the man who they just buried. She is taken by the man's kindness and, some time later, they are married. Doctor Graves follows the relationship with interest, because the man knew details about the case that only Doctor Graves and those who had been alive in 1871 should have known. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Had the spirit of the missing man somehow inhabited another body? </div><div style="text-align: left;">I guess we'll never know! DUN-DUN-DUNN!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHoXxsLqB0ad4TyWX0jUnyOgFre0SFXQlviXObKB7sNyAMcsA1Qv237NuHhheKRCR2ahuVoZ5rqGTKSkX8KD7H1HqLutXFCfLoVCz0kGACnEYoLHMol91oPws8wD5THKDjZkODChVUg9GRNm7cL88OYmkKtmaeusIj0_zhwdD7H7xbE1kFg5gnT49cK4/s1415/godge.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1415" data-original-width="948" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHoXxsLqB0ad4TyWX0jUnyOgFre0SFXQlviXObKB7sNyAMcsA1Qv237NuHhheKRCR2ahuVoZ5rqGTKSkX8KD7H1HqLutXFCfLoVCz0kGACnEYoLHMol91oPws8wD5THKDjZkODChVUg9GRNm7cL88OYmkKtmaeusIj0_zhwdD7H7xbE1kFg5gnT49cK4/w428-h640/godge.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE REVIEW:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Okay. . .not bad. At least it wasn't ANOTHER "Revenge From Beyond The Grave" story. I liked the angle of Doctor Graves. . .ghost investigator for hire. I don't think I would mind reading a whole issue based on the cases of Doctor Graves. I mean, his name IS right there on the title. The art on this one looks more like something you'd see in a romance comic. That's not a bad thing. It's a good fit for this calm, sedate tale of ghost investigating.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, a pretty good little story that I wouldn't mind reading more of. I'm just glad it wasn't another ghostly revenge tale.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">AND SPEAKING OF GHOSTLY REVENGE TALES. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">GHOSTLY RETRIBUTION?</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>(2 page text story with illustrations)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>SCRIPT: ?</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>ILLUSTRATIONS: Tom Sutton</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE STORY: </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A rich heiress hires Detective Le Fleur to investigate the hostile ghost of her former husband haunting her and her new husband. She's convinced that the ghost won't rest until she is dead. Le Fleur was a good friend of her deceased husband and no believer in ghosts. He thinks there's something else afoot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Later, as the detective hides, he hears screams coming from the woman's rooms. He confronts the killer. . .her young husband, wearing her former husband's suit and made up with phosphorescent paint. He's scared his wife to death!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When asked why he didn't stop him from killing her if he knew who the culprit was, Le Fleur reveals that she had killed her former husband, his good friend, in much the same way. Now justice is served. To seal the case, Le Fleur kills the young husband, leaving no witnesses beside himself.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The End </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VGcadBMISJLt2TnCQnrXLxI1ICBN8r7SS__Q4S5h8sro4qjmObt13VffFOWT9FVdqQnP7aFvQ8tj5reZQuvzQeQq0-Gw95Oqq5O8-pcpvhUtDkS-_bct18NfiNgdhg8ufWW7FLKAQfKAbwK_Mg6E22QZ87Ycdb4avJlnmSeMwGgaJ7qeCafpmuY6Rsk/s1415/gdc56storya.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1415" data-original-width="955" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VGcadBMISJLt2TnCQnrXLxI1ICBN8r7SS__Q4S5h8sro4qjmObt13VffFOWT9FVdqQnP7aFvQ8tj5reZQuvzQeQq0-Gw95Oqq5O8-pcpvhUtDkS-_bct18NfiNgdhg8ufWW7FLKAQfKAbwK_Mg6E22QZ87Ycdb4avJlnmSeMwGgaJ7qeCafpmuY6Rsk/w432-h640/gdc56storya.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FrLycWb7341sSO52WlZZ12LE3R05EDO37uy6_Q9ifqrbOb9TSqo-U68yd8Y15yIwIPZlYzvOBhS0Zok2uUqosuzJ-JwUwPVTczMaJq0TM_DntlxB6ejr-YAVoZSLUz9CQmneObvAaahomfCbakvLRZIcj83Ghe7UWUmKl3I-mzl2mhwC6_TFybzrTPI/s1430/gdc56storyb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1430" data-original-width="965" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FrLycWb7341sSO52WlZZ12LE3R05EDO37uy6_Q9ifqrbOb9TSqo-U68yd8Y15yIwIPZlYzvOBhS0Zok2uUqosuzJ-JwUwPVTczMaJq0TM_DntlxB6ejr-YAVoZSLUz9CQmneObvAaahomfCbakvLRZIcj83Ghe7UWUmKl3I-mzl2mhwC6_TFybzrTPI/w432-h640/gdc56storyb.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE REVIEW:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Very nice! A ghost story that's not a ghost story at all. This little text piece is actually one of the better parts of this issue. It's another ghost investigation tale, but with a twist that I actually did not see coming. Nicely done.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">AND FINALLY. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">THE MONSTROUS MAN</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>SCRIPT: Joe Gill</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>PENCILS: Mike Zeck</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>INKS: Mike Zeck</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE STORY:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Wooding Circus has come to town. The cruel owner, Noel Barr, proudly displays the crown jewel of his freak show. . .TERRORO, THE MISSING LINK!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The half-man creature assaults a young woman from his cage, causing her boyfriend to attack him in her defense. After the incident and the circus closing for the night, we learn that Terroro is actually a well-spoken (but violent) man named Johnny.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTId8Q7RNAoH7yuvrCAbZSWS0A9UJAKfOCC_JPNUb3QCaMSvK3Pymz3APHP7GdVRr11h6AyK9b30eVHQho3qQG1egSXcJuD4CyBVTs-DBhcbszVBZIzSCVA_jmpAM977LdeWt_5GRqu7cXqAvyKAwNVyYZFLFvUNhAE6JNRMSMOmYb4zj3DCr9Wf9t1uU/s1454/godgh.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1454" data-original-width="950" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTId8Q7RNAoH7yuvrCAbZSWS0A9UJAKfOCC_JPNUb3QCaMSvK3Pymz3APHP7GdVRr11h6AyK9b30eVHQho3qQG1egSXcJuD4CyBVTs-DBhcbszVBZIzSCVA_jmpAM977LdeWt_5GRqu7cXqAvyKAwNVyYZFLFvUNhAE6JNRMSMOmYb4zj3DCr9Wf9t1uU/w418-h640/godgh.jpg" width="418" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next day, a deputy arrives with a notice that the circus is being sued by the young couple Terroro attacked. Barr flies into a rage and cruelly punishes Johnny with the electric belt and bracelets Johnny wears, controlled by Barr's cane.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Barr tells Terroro that the lawsuit will ruin him, so they're going to pay the couple a little visit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Y1cwSzk5H0952j1duhsEx2_S6Iy3Oc0kRT3n97Sbm5S04MinWO0r5Hsy4_EsnUEUQ7N7-4UNAPfUk3ByvBdQmnxk1EynuIgpvbcXi1gR07bzL-5EVNg98vlCUkAKo6jOVp8gW4SaHBV7Wia_DQSxR_V2e1gI1QrEkVhhaPE-Ed1e3txME5r8EkOV0BY/s1456/godgi.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1456" data-original-width="948" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Y1cwSzk5H0952j1duhsEx2_S6Iy3Oc0kRT3n97Sbm5S04MinWO0r5Hsy4_EsnUEUQ7N7-4UNAPfUk3ByvBdQmnxk1EynuIgpvbcXi1gR07bzL-5EVNg98vlCUkAKo6jOVp8gW4SaHBV7Wia_DQSxR_V2e1gI1QrEkVhhaPE-Ed1e3txME5r8EkOV0BY/w416-h640/godgi.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That night, Barr and Terroro sneak to the couple's home, but they are caught in the act and Johnny is shot before they can make their getaway. Barr berates the badly-wounded Terroro as he tries to figure out how to hide his involvement. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_8gEw4X6ZC8EMNpF18OQYrHFmjPSs4f43miWJlXdeEK1c5MnE1Tjg75B9TOmbFTyBmmAKTXW4HGeHkGdjaD-xT5hvFuzv_25GaRr357JZDu4HsP0Is4JbIjEyDxWinhG-i7iTKLIXgTZxbCAHDSq5HjK9VNzd41CnWYbBqQnmt6z6ODp6xVQ0xZQV84/s1433/godgj.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1433" data-original-width="963" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_8gEw4X6ZC8EMNpF18OQYrHFmjPSs4f43miWJlXdeEK1c5MnE1Tjg75B9TOmbFTyBmmAKTXW4HGeHkGdjaD-xT5hvFuzv_25GaRr357JZDu4HsP0Is4JbIjEyDxWinhG-i7iTKLIXgTZxbCAHDSq5HjK9VNzd41CnWYbBqQnmt6z6ODp6xVQ0xZQV84/w430-h640/godgj.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As Barr and Terroro argue, Johnny realizes that Barr has lost his cane, the controller of the shock belt and bracelets he wears, during their escape. The next day, the battered and broken body of Barr is discovered in Terroro's cage. We are told that Johnny later suffered a heart attack and died as well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoADEsD1jWeezPT4Chp9P41FdYWdJRliRgFE7FV0bAacoRpITxU0XB1z9DzTwfGsIuzYpgFt9tbmOaLxMcdNnAkXsmSspdJlNLJX_x_0UZxwPXxT6FjEWHuNZ9vJJqb_xSqMRRwKoacIq7WzWbUkpHrWuVNOiGnWSa0nBIW4V34wZ8leVJgfioJiMFfc/s1445/godgk.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1445" data-original-width="954" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoADEsD1jWeezPT4Chp9P41FdYWdJRliRgFE7FV0bAacoRpITxU0XB1z9DzTwfGsIuzYpgFt9tbmOaLxMcdNnAkXsmSspdJlNLJX_x_0UZxwPXxT6FjEWHuNZ9vJJqb_xSqMRRwKoacIq7WzWbUkpHrWuVNOiGnWSa0nBIW4V34wZ8leVJgfioJiMFfc/w422-h640/godgk.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The End.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE REVIEW:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Okay. That was NOT a ghost story. Maybe more of a "Misunderstood Monster Gets Revenge" story? Well, no matter WHAT the story framework might be, it's not a very good story. The art, on the other hand. . .Mike Zeck provides some of his early work and does NOT disappoint! The art is really detailed and eye-catching. It's the only thing saving this story.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, a disappointing story backed up with fantastic art. That's all that really needs to be said.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">CONCLUSION</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All in all, not bad, but it could be better. Some of the stories are pretty bad. Some are pretty good. The art, except for Ditko's on the one page filler, was consistently good, with interesting and varied styles. The text piece was surprisingly good as well. Good taken with bad, I'd recommend this issue to horror comic fans. It's not the greatest horror comic I've ever read, but it's a decent read and worth a look.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Many Ghosts of Doctor Graves was a pretty long-running series, clocking in at 72 issues. Some of the stories have been reprinted, but there's no collection of the series, so you'll have to dig the individual issues out of back issue bins to read them. Fortunately, issues of this series are pretty common finds in the bargain bins. I've collected quite a few of them over the years, so they're out there if you want to find them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">UP NEXT. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Let's take a look at an issue of one of my all-time favorite comic series. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">WEIRD WAR TALES!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Be there or be square.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Atomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07048497340899834399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025939866108320406.post-56710316425907771082023-10-04T00:34:00.003-07:002023-10-04T01:03:20.744-07:00Longbox Junk Halloween Horror 2023 part 3 - The Addams Family #1 (1974)Welcome to Longbox Junk, the place to find all the comic reviews you never even knew you wanted!<div><br /></div><div>Dun-dun-dun-DUN!</div><div>*snap. . .snap*</div><div>Dun-dun-dun-DUN!</div><div>*snap. . .snap*</div><div>Dun-dun-dun-DUN!</div><div>Dun-dun-dun-DUN!</div><div>Dun-dun-dun-DUN!</div><div>*snap. . .snap*</div><div><br /></div><div>Awww. . .yeah. You know the song. One of the most famous T.V. theme songs EVER. The young folk of today (God, I feel old now) might be more familiar with the gothic dance style of Wednesday Addams, but for those of us of a. . .certain age. . .that finger snappin' theme song means it's time for some altogether ooky fun!</div><div><br /></div><div>So let's lighten things up for Part Three of the Longbox Junk Halloween party with some of the comic book antics of that most delightfully strange Addam's Family, shall we? WE SHALL!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Addams Family #1</span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Gold Key (1974)</span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw25BpTP7TGC_DjkfqDjSODwsHKPSVWNZposvzdIK3iGcCtuxN1GBZAVex5BQ_my1FVg-m6Ux5rftNoQT_fbAm-6NUoddh4cFgjW7E6wvWPuE-ZhdoHsqKot3gd1E8YwTRKTLfcMyyGSL1eiJmBkAVhuWgkeFLDqMdNiM4AFpztiiJAQBXKHFxPtcqyOY/s620/addamsfamily1cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw25BpTP7TGC_DjkfqDjSODwsHKPSVWNZposvzdIK3iGcCtuxN1GBZAVex5BQ_my1FVg-m6Ux5rftNoQT_fbAm-6NUoddh4cFgjW7E6wvWPuE-ZhdoHsqKot3gd1E8YwTRKTLfcMyyGSL1eiJmBkAVhuWgkeFLDqMdNiM4AFpztiiJAQBXKHFxPtcqyOY/w412-h640/addamsfamily1cover.jpg" width="412" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">COVER: Bill Ziegler</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE COVER:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just look at those colors! This one's a real eye-catcher, that's for sure. The vibrant pink, green and yellow just sort of grab you and MAKE you check out this cover. It lets you know without even opening the comic that this is going to be less about gothic grumping and more about wacky shenanigans. It's not really a favorite cover in my collection, but it's a fun Halloween cover.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Let's get inside!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">IN SEARCH OF THE BOOLA-BOOLA</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">SCRIPT: ? (Mark Evanier?)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">PENCILS: Bill Ziegler</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">INKS: Bill Ziegler</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE STORY:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Addams family decides to take a detour from their volcano-watching vacation to visit a pet store in Miami, hoping to find a Boola-Boola (a color-changing swamp creature) for their daughter, Wednesday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sH4O0EAth6Vuw4HLaYP8lZg8VsDLfxSdiULrve2Yrbjgv4CW1hmEbB9rdRnmc9TZ2BuCiMZLSzAQqMelkOrTIfXnfU05_S3Y7jr3sTwLVykDT9trvRLeDHMyOuuZiX5b_GBpPBIe9mcHnZDuDu6Z5nfM7L4cFgPmWKCNw8TDhs49Y97ZJdrD5SrT1GA/s1024/afa.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="708" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sH4O0EAth6Vuw4HLaYP8lZg8VsDLfxSdiULrve2Yrbjgv4CW1hmEbB9rdRnmc9TZ2BuCiMZLSzAQqMelkOrTIfXnfU05_S3Y7jr3sTwLVykDT9trvRLeDHMyOuuZiX5b_GBpPBIe9mcHnZDuDu6Z5nfM7L4cFgPmWKCNw8TDhs49Y97ZJdrD5SrT1GA/w442-h640/afa.jpg" width="442" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Gomez offers Pooky, of Pooky's Pet Shop, $30,000 to find Wednesday a Boola-Boola. . .but later on, the family decides it will be a fun adventure to camp out in the swamp and find one for themselves.<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIsmZrf8k6m99zALA8gWAZ6vICPXDzSbND5i4ryMdPcLD8Vj_Jeyv9cSTt4y9THR5bZd1rwFmFE192wHNXUp3-xRvHZW6USV7NDuoWwOkgYt5sTRRlHZTJ8OSfseTgS812NE65QOjpy5Voou2ThzXpnq_94ExD9rboR-afzH15NQ5PASjv1aYlj2z8V8s/s1024/afb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="678" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIsmZrf8k6m99zALA8gWAZ6vICPXDzSbND5i4ryMdPcLD8Vj_Jeyv9cSTt4y9THR5bZd1rwFmFE192wHNXUp3-xRvHZW6USV7NDuoWwOkgYt5sTRRlHZTJ8OSfseTgS812NE65QOjpy5Voou2ThzXpnq_94ExD9rboR-afzH15NQ5PASjv1aYlj2z8V8s/w424-h640/afb.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the meantime, Pooky contacts a trapper in Florida called Anything For A Buck Frank. Frank agrees to trap a Boola-Boola for Pooky, but really he plans on just faking one. Unknown to them, there's an actual Boola-Boola nearby. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_uWuaD5afu4skz5JK1ukYL5zPTpqK7Z1OiAKm9dwsRyaWELKNd8eUd3rqclR57t2haDuZOh_eUYvqrjgioUdLBWsmIRIDD49QA1mMHWdO5Pdg78krxfxGEyGWF9K2BV1t-iynlCwciamS9rNhqroNH9zLkYBlAQGqD_P-qrE34arz_kYrd8yN9LpwWs/s1014/afc.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1014" data-original-width="685" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_uWuaD5afu4skz5JK1ukYL5zPTpqK7Z1OiAKm9dwsRyaWELKNd8eUd3rqclR57t2haDuZOh_eUYvqrjgioUdLBWsmIRIDD49QA1mMHWdO5Pdg78krxfxGEyGWF9K2BV1t-iynlCwciamS9rNhqroNH9zLkYBlAQGqD_P-qrE34arz_kYrd8yN9LpwWs/w432-h640/afc.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After making camp in the Everglades, the Addams family spots Frank and his assistant digging Boola-Boola traps. They invite the hunters to their camp and Frank spots Ocho, the Addams family's pet octopus. He decides to steal the octopus and sell it to Pooky as a Boola-Boola.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffKuFRqwM-n-z9he_lnO1j3cCKnhOVmkGRXMZeBYwXSwooHuRHnFv6zqqafO2KXHUwORgKA8QXvZlXb3WIPSTB-i7eetfx5wOGaUYJ85Q7xrD4IZyiy8tam_DtwHj7xDhf29IJmJtMoMX54ZK5URk7Wcv7VVjKzYFZAnW3lCQOeZOcuvdfBnrhuPeAQc/s1024/afd.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="679" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffKuFRqwM-n-z9he_lnO1j3cCKnhOVmkGRXMZeBYwXSwooHuRHnFv6zqqafO2KXHUwORgKA8QXvZlXb3WIPSTB-i7eetfx5wOGaUYJ85Q7xrD4IZyiy8tam_DtwHj7xDhf29IJmJtMoMX54ZK5URk7Wcv7VVjKzYFZAnW3lCQOeZOcuvdfBnrhuPeAQc/w424-h640/afd.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Later that night, after stealing Ocho, Frank and his partner disguise the octopus as a Boola-Boola and send it to Pooky. But then they spot the Addams' children Pugsly and Wednesday searching for their lost pet octopus. They don't find it, but they DO find the actual Boola-Boola! Frank decides to capture the Boola-Boola and double his money.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdH6d84M2bsdOHME5MdPmfD9xE8CFZQsp77bdccU5bmQQq-M1JhfXgIRftSJUXOolGAdFn167w_8EPzTQYrGWQWChnJXPynK4XTr96zUEbCcLZ349C3PTg_tsEBPf6QehMfIyZWbTl3lKQ-p5SwIoFBTiKpVJsdFSAo1BiB9-2xshBnBFElEuwybDVeis/s1024/afe.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="683" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdH6d84M2bsdOHME5MdPmfD9xE8CFZQsp77bdccU5bmQQq-M1JhfXgIRftSJUXOolGAdFn167w_8EPzTQYrGWQWChnJXPynK4XTr96zUEbCcLZ349C3PTg_tsEBPf6QehMfIyZWbTl3lKQ-p5SwIoFBTiKpVJsdFSAo1BiB9-2xshBnBFElEuwybDVeis/w426-h640/afe.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The Addams family and their guests, Frank and his partner, continue to try and capture the Boola-Boola. After several attempts they finally manage to lure it to their camp, where it is given to Wednesday to make up for her lost octopus.</div><div><br /></div><div>That night, Frank steals the Boola-Boola and is caught by the family. Gomez thinks it's hilarious and pays Frank $50,000 to take the creature so that Wednesday's heart will be broken. . .which Wednesday doesn't really mind.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMskYP12UdUGH6k6t5i3fP_HKxZiATYFwI6tIKsjl5BTjPxqN18YUV37TSa902-vcK0dbGeZfU4YIX_Qg2gDHwHKbU5mPb6TnTbMSbTiPLgjImTY18NQmNPdqqLbg-prhW4IwBbZIB-eZE5cvD7vM16C7RBrhb5BwVaPOv9GlcexqGql8FqJjlKZNtC9M/s1024/aff.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="670" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMskYP12UdUGH6k6t5i3fP_HKxZiATYFwI6tIKsjl5BTjPxqN18YUV37TSa902-vcK0dbGeZfU4YIX_Qg2gDHwHKbU5mPb6TnTbMSbTiPLgjImTY18NQmNPdqqLbg-prhW4IwBbZIB-eZE5cvD7vM16C7RBrhb5BwVaPOv9GlcexqGql8FqJjlKZNtC9M/w418-h640/aff.jpg" width="418" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Frank tells the Addams family that Pooky has an octopus matching Ocho's description. As the Addams' pack up to head back to Miami, Frank and his assistant rush back ahead of them with the Boola-Boola.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They distract Pooky and disguise themselves right before the Addams family arrives. . .and then they sell the Boola-Boola to them for $30,000 AND sell their own octopus back for another $10,000!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDlzjc1jPCpyj0B7DGwtWS_BbQLEu-jqH3bRBRLr_SeTfJgh1Kj3h5rZPyhKRbZKRA6E-nNjJV4lYzYgkPOhS_fQaij6i11G_8SJP1YfsLWaMpNdx24B7AMtI-ZKQauEjCV3mPrcu8LJf_F_p3gHoIaeqGIBIM40uUnFOtkXx0nc4TVNcL1wO5t4XN1c/s1024/afg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="689" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDlzjc1jPCpyj0B7DGwtWS_BbQLEu-jqH3bRBRLr_SeTfJgh1Kj3h5rZPyhKRbZKRA6E-nNjJV4lYzYgkPOhS_fQaij6i11G_8SJP1YfsLWaMpNdx24B7AMtI-ZKQauEjCV3mPrcu8LJf_F_p3gHoIaeqGIBIM40uUnFOtkXx0nc4TVNcL1wO5t4XN1c/w430-h640/afg.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Later on, the Addams family decides to return the Boola-Boola to Frank in the swamp, because they think he still has the one they gave him. . .which is the one they are bringing to him. When Frank and his assistant see the family coming, he assumes that they have discovered what he did.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Frank and his assistant attempt to escape, but shenanigans ensue and the angry Boola-Boola chases the hunters into the swamp and they lose all their money while the Addams family laughs at their misfortune.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0_LE3prLfEpDn4LDI8DzEGFX6dmbguFEkf_A0tRg7F7oet2O22pt8DBIu91PoA6bvA-bmbsn9hfRfUHSjtQS_PAZEH0jFJECzqdPC6m4t3rI_JzyLuMxVRXsMFMQZXzU9WmFZNmny68AI9Adw14HxpNXe-i3tdvDwdRuLopHWzSzwsi-xcg3PHUMx-M/s1024/afh.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="675" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0_LE3prLfEpDn4LDI8DzEGFX6dmbguFEkf_A0tRg7F7oet2O22pt8DBIu91PoA6bvA-bmbsn9hfRfUHSjtQS_PAZEH0jFJECzqdPC6m4t3rI_JzyLuMxVRXsMFMQZXzU9WmFZNmny68AI9Adw14HxpNXe-i3tdvDwdRuLopHWzSzwsi-xcg3PHUMx-M/w422-h640/afh.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After Frank and his assistant are gone, the Boola-Boola returns to the swamp, where we see it was a female with a nest of eggs. The Addams family leaves the Boola-Boola and returns to their volcano-watching vacation, with Gomez promising Wednesday that they will get her a little volcano of her own.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLfCDlDtVXuVCDBgtPPlDlOzcN5XlAyqFLl0Yj8nNqdz8Qs0BaNkK_FmSIo0Zlseu1ouRVv1-04EgjuYDUmCVe-l7OixrPkYRAGK8UOuj6l0o4HZb6R5h46JLPErscybPlsm46Vlibhe0kuJlmdbBn-QGEmzmwCtgrYbhmjv0Wy8mCA6kgm3F6NAiIjo/s1024/afi.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="676" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLfCDlDtVXuVCDBgtPPlDlOzcN5XlAyqFLl0Yj8nNqdz8Qs0BaNkK_FmSIo0Zlseu1ouRVv1-04EgjuYDUmCVe-l7OixrPkYRAGK8UOuj6l0o4HZb6R5h46JLPErscybPlsm46Vlibhe0kuJlmdbBn-QGEmzmwCtgrYbhmjv0Wy8mCA6kgm3F6NAiIjo/w422-h640/afi.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The End.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE REVIEW:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This comic really confused me. . .not anything with the story or art, but the physical comic itself. I'm not sure if ALL the issues printed have the same problem mine does, but the pages are out of order. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The first page of the comic is actually the middle of the story at the pet shop, with the first page of the story coming in on page 16, the last page of the story on page 19, and five pages between the first page and their arrival at the pet shop coming at the end of the comic. The scans above are in the right order, but it was interesting getting them that way. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If anyone else reading this has a copy of this comic, kindly let me know if yours is all mixed up too, if you would. It's sort of making me wonder if I have some sort of unique error copy. I never read this comic before (got it in a box of comics I bought from an estate sale), so I never noticed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">ANYWAY. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When it comes to comics like this, I have to put myself in the mindset of the younger audience it was written for. As an adult, the story is a mess and less of a story and more of a series of barely-related incidents strung together. But shifting to a more childlike point of view, I can see that what we have here is a madcap adventure with people running back and forth searching for something they already have while Gomez and Morticia laugh at every bit of misfortune that comes along.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That said, even as an adult, this is a fun comic. I got a couple of genuine chuckles over some of the gags. . .the one where they purposely break Wednesday's heart and she thanks them for it probably being the best.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizjvRG7OCR97dG3uPiyu313rU4nNmL5pKQCC9Sgt1aPTKzARVLbqiJtqZUt6W5op2ndlOqBoMRIMFFZOyVC6oB0eNgA6F6v-b75uPOf2Uvs_GGuJgPhwYCVG8bFdmS7-Bpamv3gBU9XL1UEhULfpmJQEbpepRE3-MCuliGFVEBpQdbsxNCSVXhe9i21d8/s670/funny.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="670" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizjvRG7OCR97dG3uPiyu313rU4nNmL5pKQCC9Sgt1aPTKzARVLbqiJtqZUt6W5op2ndlOqBoMRIMFFZOyVC6oB0eNgA6F6v-b75uPOf2Uvs_GGuJgPhwYCVG8bFdmS7-Bpamv3gBU9XL1UEhULfpmJQEbpepRE3-MCuliGFVEBpQdbsxNCSVXhe9i21d8/w400-h188/funny.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the art side of things, I would describe the art through the whole issue as being simply delightful. It's just some good, solid cartoon art with Gomez and Lurch being the best looking characters of the bunch. The design of the Addams Family's haunted house mobile home was really fun as well! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">CONCLUSION</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, once I got past the confusion of the pages in my copy being out of order, I found this to be a fun comic. It has a frantic, willy-nilly plot that's all over the place, but there's some pretty good chuckles to be had here and there. The art is delightful throughout. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> This is just some good, clean, and dare I say it. . .altogether ooky FUN! So if some light Halloween fun is what you're looking for, this comic has it, and I can certainly recommend this issue to readers of all ages.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Unfortunately, this short (just three issues) series has never been collected, and a bit of research shows me that there IS some collector "value" attached to this particular issue, being the first comic appearance of the Addams Family. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm not sure exactly how much it's "worth" but the only raw copy I saw for sale was VERY much more banged up than my copy and it was going for $180.00, a graded (7.5) copy was running close to $450. So it might be a bit of a problem finding a copy of this comic to read.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">UP NEXT. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Let's invite some more ghosts to this Longbox Junk Halloween Party!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Charlton's The Many Ghosts of Doctor Graves #56, from 1976.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Be there or be square!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Atomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07048497340899834399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025939866108320406.post-61738495036333657992023-10-03T00:56:00.002-07:002023-10-03T01:04:46.589-07:00Longbox Junk Halloween Horror 2023 part 2 - Death Rattle #1 (1985)Welcome to Longbox Junk, where I write comic reviews that nobody asked me to!<div><br /></div><div>You know what I say? I say there ain't no party like a Longbox Junk Halloween Party, 'cause a Longbox Junk Halloween party don't stop! Until November. Then the Longbox Junk Halloween Party stops. So I guess. . .well. . .never mind. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway. </div><div><br /></div><div>WELCOME TO PART TWO OF THE 2023 LONGBOX JUNK HALLOWEEN PARTY!</div><div><br /></div><div>We got started off with some pretty "meh" ghost stories, so here's hoping that a little late 80s indie horror may bring this party to life! Ready? Let's do it!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">DEATH RATTLE #1</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Kitchen Sink Comix (1985)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2en996W2RrAq5lgzdunnhwV3Aqoesj7kFAETYLrnV-ZOGt4DMKJnnn3_uRZscpcyrFm36A_ew5NtCzNDoIjUJgitaVGXarqy6Us2zfI7MDCUJWBOyupkoB9jFEO_yq7FDxIWfv6YaYdGK5bc4AORLlKcsnyneO4tfBGqJIu2YwxKUXvFfAqbjSc2LEvE/s616/deathrattle1cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2en996W2RrAq5lgzdunnhwV3Aqoesj7kFAETYLrnV-ZOGt4DMKJnnn3_uRZscpcyrFm36A_ew5NtCzNDoIjUJgitaVGXarqy6Us2zfI7MDCUJWBOyupkoB9jFEO_yq7FDxIWfv6YaYdGK5bc4AORLlKcsnyneO4tfBGqJIu2YwxKUXvFfAqbjSc2LEvE/w416-h640/deathrattle1cover.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>COVER: Richard Corben</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE COVER:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Richard F'ing Corben! An undisputed comic art legend. No, strike that. Not just a great COMIC artist, but a legendary artist PERIOD. If you can't tell, I'm a Richard Corben fan. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'll be the first to admit that this cover isn't Corben's BEST work, but as far as I'm concerned, I haven't met a piece of Corben art I haven't liked yet. It's creepy, it's claustrophobic. The look of terror on the woman's face is spot on unsettling. Corben doesn't disappoint, and this cover is no exception.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Let's get inside this thing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE STORIES:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Three spooky stories in this issue. Let's take a look at each one in their own turn.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">KILLER PLANET</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>SCRIPT: Rand Holmes</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>PENCILS: Rand Holmes</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>INKS: Rand Holmes</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE STORY:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the year 2683, a passenger ship headed for the Nexus Rimworlds encounters engine problems, forcing them to land on a nearby planet. . .one that has been quarantined as a "killer planet" with lifeforms extremely hostile to humans and unsuitable for colonization.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With the ship helpless and communications down, the crew and passengers set out for a homing beacon placed on the planet for emergencies, hoping to activate it and wait for rescue.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYi_zTV11GMyXhR0LzxKGfEF1Ud_GXyBo7ylYUciUAfeEBPKmA916_hpNe6qPwvRMFRM_oSiL8ib0BhOPvZWhvYMUuIQqsW9KFX1bScdZZiVB1-XoAtFAzByKHkPwJSRCjGBsiEB9IOaJTGi5qMF-AZYJzmiwGSYG6ixb3bsjsCJ9AKRGf2HhxJFeKzA/s1600/dra.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1049" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYi_zTV11GMyXhR0LzxKGfEF1Ud_GXyBo7ylYUciUAfeEBPKmA916_hpNe6qPwvRMFRM_oSiL8ib0BhOPvZWhvYMUuIQqsW9KFX1bScdZZiVB1-XoAtFAzByKHkPwJSRCjGBsiEB9IOaJTGi5qMF-AZYJzmiwGSYG6ixb3bsjsCJ9AKRGf2HhxJFeKzA/w420-h640/dra.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The band of survivors quickly discover why the planet was tagged as a "killer planet" as they are constantly attacked by horrific creatures. Their numbers begin to dwindle as they fight their way toward the beacon. . .a 35 kilometer hike through hostile territory.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjowiAYqec831LjsfEnHR15l8rRlyiAuLkflrrOBQYeIoqvq1lWZU7_EEsf2WblYCbBIIvCfly9GoWoguOIF1BRgIZ5CVnMC-apwNOplEY0kCXljikeDRy4eRc2DeAUMtjaoQ5oblzDA5ixHvrAbZ36E6hYjUaHWjgfu-lhF1y1WsI6AVsH-QoOOyclel4/s1521/drb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1521" data-original-width="991" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjowiAYqec831LjsfEnHR15l8rRlyiAuLkflrrOBQYeIoqvq1lWZU7_EEsf2WblYCbBIIvCfly9GoWoguOIF1BRgIZ5CVnMC-apwNOplEY0kCXljikeDRy4eRc2DeAUMtjaoQ5oblzDA5ixHvrAbZ36E6hYjUaHWjgfu-lhF1y1WsI6AVsH-QoOOyclel4/w416-h640/drb.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Finally, the remaining three survivors make it to the beacon. But then, the ship's navigator, Zleen, turns on his Captain and the one remaining passenger. Holding them at gunpoint, he tells them that it was HE who sabotaged the ship! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He had met the lone survivor of an ill-fated robbery who had crashed on this same planet. They had hidden the loot, including a priceless gem, near the rescue beacon. Zleen killed the robber after gaining the information, and now he plans on killing the other survivors, finding the gem, and waiting for rescue.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The captain thinks quickly and tells Zleen that he saw where the gem was hidden. . .leading the greedy navigator into the den of a deadly creature, leaving just the captain and one remaining passenger alive on a hostile world, hoping for rescue. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzxjdA2kmboNta0CQt6ZydrxWCG5KdfzX4Jl7UrTBYjTo7uhaHqoyNVD47JeMNjRf1q9ZpJ4Ch51qxjy_hEgKLKrnJmJALCCFq63i9p8gWxlVZsv85hlW09aIf_DFFgzgVcPSWYSmGT_JdsSYsvT6jrIHnyWJGbJ0zTwk1TkCtcMTSmgFFwwgVPYrMGI/s1519/drc.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1519" data-original-width="991" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzxjdA2kmboNta0CQt6ZydrxWCG5KdfzX4Jl7UrTBYjTo7uhaHqoyNVD47JeMNjRf1q9ZpJ4Ch51qxjy_hEgKLKrnJmJALCCFq63i9p8gWxlVZsv85hlW09aIf_DFFgzgVcPSWYSmGT_JdsSYsvT6jrIHnyWJGbJ0zTwk1TkCtcMTSmgFFwwgVPYrMGI/w418-h640/drc.jpg" width="418" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The End.<span style="text-align: center;"> </span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE REVIEW:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not a bad little sci-fi horror story at all! It reminds me a lot of stories I used to read in Heavy Metal magazine. It's well-written and I actually came to like some of the characters before they met a gruesome end. It's nice to see a little character development in an anthology horror story. The art also has a strong retro-modern vibe to it that I really like a lot. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, I liked this story quite a bit. It has a nice plot, interesting characters, and a cool art style.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, this one's off to a strong start. Let's see what's next!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">ILL BRED</span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>SCRIPT: Charles Burns</b></div><div><b>PENCILS: Charles Burns</b></div><div><b>INKS: Charles Burns</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>THE STORY:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>A young man named Ron with a fascination for insects finds an unusual and unknown specimen that later escapes his captivity. Unknown to Ron, the strange insect has taken up hiding in his mattress. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNUdZK2U32DFIODwz01JLnZIWqM-WVhcE3eZ7fbqVXAMjnNHwm_FqB_ga-UI9EZ5syYwbI7cWY5u8IdF1OT007aKwpKKzQdDAWpuNLHup_T_52BIuN4EE2RgnNiVA3KjjsPTmzuE1zGvD3MuIZHWZ0GTVTCbtkJbqzP9yma7jAYZv208fbanXVkxVWos/s1600/drd.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1019" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNUdZK2U32DFIODwz01JLnZIWqM-WVhcE3eZ7fbqVXAMjnNHwm_FqB_ga-UI9EZ5syYwbI7cWY5u8IdF1OT007aKwpKKzQdDAWpuNLHup_T_52BIuN4EE2RgnNiVA3KjjsPTmzuE1zGvD3MuIZHWZ0GTVTCbtkJbqzP9yma7jAYZv208fbanXVkxVWos/w408-h640/drd.jpg" width="408" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>When Ron leaves home for college, he brings the infested mattress with him. He begins dating a fellow student named Sheila. After they spend their first night together, Ron notices a mysterious wound on her wrist.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRea4KglbZ6lDOroNqCejr8R66eYQf2rx9QS86-W7Rx-X5w9nXKJQcbh5c4F_8a08iwI1uYc9qNwBcnF1R6Eoi8HpX3blCgaq6X8s519dzddLIXw477TQpilMHLUPDMsQs8SbBdL9ZnFnqqaLZphVKtmeDXrkYAwugOnfOTid8SLhfViiMinQfpBOYDWw/s1517/dre.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1517" data-original-width="962" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRea4KglbZ6lDOroNqCejr8R66eYQf2rx9QS86-W7Rx-X5w9nXKJQcbh5c4F_8a08iwI1uYc9qNwBcnF1R6Eoi8HpX3blCgaq6X8s519dzddLIXw477TQpilMHLUPDMsQs8SbBdL9ZnFnqqaLZphVKtmeDXrkYAwugOnfOTid8SLhfViiMinQfpBOYDWw/w406-h640/dre.jpg" width="406" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As the weeks pass, Ron notices Sheila changing. She grows more masculine and behaves oddly. . .becoming more and more aggressive. And then, one day, Ron cuts himself while preparing food. Sheila rushes in and jabs him with some sort of stinger growing out of her wrist, knocking Ron unconscious!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When Ron wakes up, he finds himself tightly tied to the bed, with a strange wound on his hand. He lays there for hours before Sheila comes into the room. Without a word, she squeezes tiny eggs from the wound as a horrified and helpless Ron looks on!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhyvMmnM64YefC8T7ZetcvgiGxiXCcKje_BiGeMm5lW3JhIPiVRlKuIK-phPZQNLTakw6tJl4vFzyecQjTv3gsbjEhvPodFGHdYLBrsg3-k1YRF0kkavUcDcGnadyYI0ocG6vtBT5nrrOYYFMb2-7WhgPATeLQYlz5C44dslefpR6Ag6BVR3C337jyA4/s1600/drf.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1021" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhyvMmnM64YefC8T7ZetcvgiGxiXCcKje_BiGeMm5lW3JhIPiVRlKuIK-phPZQNLTakw6tJl4vFzyecQjTv3gsbjEhvPodFGHdYLBrsg3-k1YRF0kkavUcDcGnadyYI0ocG6vtBT5nrrOYYFMb2-7WhgPATeLQYlz5C44dslefpR6Ag6BVR3C337jyA4/w408-h640/drf.jpg" width="408" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We move forward in time, months. . .perhaps years later. Ron is now nothing more than a bloated captive, covered with festering wounds filled with eggs. . .a living incubator for hideous insect offspring. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our last view of the horrific scene is that of Sheila, now completely transformed into a human-sized version of the strange insect Ron found so long ago, coming into the room to force feed him.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRBSsNw7eYkEckgzQ2q8W8lW09BWF7qyVHwcNPurgaJZVeCQWSH9EwQd7433BrtkvtijW2MqRAbt-NxGK7r4CgxTTaIi-cb_ZzJsW_XOsI7QHDmf0CQjmuxeIQuqzxQ3am0YffrG_QW_Y0sXFqSfw_pUWBcp1DEYhKTYEZN4Dw0mbZuiLWj8featjU9Y/s1600/drg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1031" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRBSsNw7eYkEckgzQ2q8W8lW09BWF7qyVHwcNPurgaJZVeCQWSH9EwQd7433BrtkvtijW2MqRAbt-NxGK7r4CgxTTaIi-cb_ZzJsW_XOsI7QHDmf0CQjmuxeIQuqzxQ3am0YffrG_QW_Y0sXFqSfw_pUWBcp1DEYhKTYEZN4Dw0mbZuiLWj8featjU9Y/w412-h640/drg.jpg" width="412" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b>THE REVIEW:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>This story, even more than the first, definitely reminds me of something that would be found in Heavy Metal. Charles Burns' unique style was a fairly regular fixture of that magazine. Along with his unique art style, Burns also brought his weird and disturbing narrative style. . .mixing body horror and strange romance into a truly creepy little tale.</div><div><br /></div><div>Overall, Charles Burns is one of those "love it or hate it" sort of creators. I don't really like most of his work I've seen, but this freaky little story, I liked. It's a bit uncomfortable and unsettling, but that's Burns' whole thing.</div><div><br /></div><div>AND FINALLY. . .</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">TOM QUICK'S REVENGE</span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>SCRIPT: Charles Dallas</b></div><div><b>PENCILS: Charles Dallas</b></div><div><b>INKS: Charles Dallas</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>THE STORY:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>1757. The beginning of the French and Indian War in Pennsylvania. A young Tom Quick witnesses the brutal scalping and death of his father. . .</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2KUZltwSOeUFPQ2NQPVsIVa2WfOz2_ZkhnDSB4pytavE0gv8zKSj4_5g-M-UzKuDddZhARryxIxSoJ2a80qVSYK0UohDew7aC0jfTd1yLY8H6DoViK0ADVDSpn3VzyEAe22jAHz0fJLvlVFP5Y2CPbnAjmQK2GLpzhMOpYM34XTmlzw4lhIhoR4N2Eg/s1600/drh.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1034" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2KUZltwSOeUFPQ2NQPVsIVa2WfOz2_ZkhnDSB4pytavE0gv8zKSj4_5g-M-UzKuDddZhARryxIxSoJ2a80qVSYK0UohDew7aC0jfTd1yLY8H6DoViK0ADVDSpn3VzyEAe22jAHz0fJLvlVFP5Y2CPbnAjmQK2GLpzhMOpYM34XTmlzw4lhIhoR4N2Eg/w414-h640/drh.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After the war, Tom found and killed the Indian who had killed his father, then swore an oath of bloody vengeance upon the whole Indian race. After that, Tom Quick's life was spent hunting and killing Indians. . .with the goal of being able to walk the entire length of the Delaware River without encountering a single Indian. His methods were brutal and unrelenting. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZBVvV-4yKV6RblcRoCxJgzfWgbpRG_7Q6JvBnF1fYToUcptHFe16KUyJzJLhTzVkiYoIjM9BdEYnrkF-wOKEpaTlEYZMp5DMWDyzfh_F6QWzVkXp0xRNiNscFxZ85KyA4iIdg20GcBXVrZLYjBIwsK6q1nnwkHQyeZQdDVHGOrLXe5ClwhChHVXACzg/s1600/dri.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1040" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZBVvV-4yKV6RblcRoCxJgzfWgbpRG_7Q6JvBnF1fYToUcptHFe16KUyJzJLhTzVkiYoIjM9BdEYnrkF-wOKEpaTlEYZMp5DMWDyzfh_F6QWzVkXp0xRNiNscFxZ85KyA4iIdg20GcBXVrZLYjBIwsK6q1nnwkHQyeZQdDVHGOrLXe5ClwhChHVXACzg/w416-h640/dri.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Upon his deathbed in 1796, Tom Quick begged for one more Indian to be brought to him so that he could die having killed an even 100 Indians (he had killed 99 over the years). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After he finally died of Smallpox, vengeful Indians dug up his body and burned it. In doing so, the tribe contracted Smallpox and were decimated. Tom Quick had killed more Indians when he was dead than he did while he was alive!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pp50fJuDkylOGgnTBOUuBJPU_6gtTd8GVW3V-b_WIqXKy6fZUTDopyPq22Datuh0cF3APAStT3RVxvARzB1FqKAfaWBVFE8IGR70uUy0hRZhTZGxYM-MU4M1EdsoWNrKoPgXa6k33B54SbB4vw4VykWtstY62J1J4lFqaXjY1P-EikPh2Hj4yixI_iw/s1600/drj.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pp50fJuDkylOGgnTBOUuBJPU_6gtTd8GVW3V-b_WIqXKy6fZUTDopyPq22Datuh0cF3APAStT3RVxvARzB1FqKAfaWBVFE8IGR70uUy0hRZhTZGxYM-MU4M1EdsoWNrKoPgXa6k33B54SbB4vw4VykWtstY62J1J4lFqaXjY1P-EikPh2Hj4yixI_iw/w418-h640/drj.jpg" width="418" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Artwork Edited: Pasties Added By Yours Truly. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The End.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>THE REVIEW:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>So a little research shows me that Tom Quick was an actual historic figure and is regarded by many people along the Delaware River as a sort of folk hero. The Native American Nations of the area tend to strongly disagree. . .claiming that Quick was a psychopathic serial killer. I'm thinking that the Native Americans might have the stronger argument.</div><div><br /></div><div>As for the story itself, it's interesting in a "truth is stranger than fiction" sort of way. It seems like an unusual inclusion into this comic, judging from the other two stories, but I guess the strange tale of a guy who spent his life systematically slaughtering every Native American he came across (including women and children) IS a bit of a horror story when you think of it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Overall, I'd say this is the weak link in this issue. It's interesting, but it reads more like an Encyclopedia entry (HEY! Remember encyclopedias? I'M OLD!) than a horror story. The art is okay, but not much more than okay.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">CONCLUSION</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Death Rattle #1 is definitely a stronger horror comic than what we started this Halloween party with. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> From desperate survival on a hostile world with some cool retro-modern art, to creepy, unsettling body horror, and yeah. . .even the somewhat weak last story relating the lifelong obsession of a man for revenge. This horror comic actually delivers. . .horror. Go figure.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is an "adults only" comic. It has a fair share of curse words (especially in the first story) and a little nudity in all three stories. If you don't mind that, then I can certainly recommend this issue to horror comic fans. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Some of the stories throughout the 18-issue series have been reprinted, but there's not a collection, so you'll have to find these the old-fashioned way. . .digging through the back issue bins. I have a few other issues of the series and they're all pretty good, so keep your eye out for Death Rattle if you want some decent horror comics that actually deliver a bit of horror.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">UP NEXT. . .</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>They're creepy and they're kooky,<br />Mysterious and spooky,<br />They're altogether ooky,<br />The Addams Family.</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div>We're going to have a little "all ages" fun with the next one. </div><div>Gold Key's Addam's Family #1.</div><div>You know the song! Snap your fingers!</div><div><br /></div><div>Be there or be square.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Verdana, Arial; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;" /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Atomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07048497340899834399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025939866108320406.post-27804001997524868172023-10-02T00:52:00.011-07:002023-10-02T01:16:13.104-07:00Longbox Junk Halloween Horror 2023 part 1 - Ghosts #35 (1975)Welcome to Longbox Junk, the place to find comic reviews you never asked for!<div><br /></div><div>It's that time of year again! It's time for pumpkin spice EVERYTHING!</div><div>Take a deep breath, folks. Just SMELL that cinnamon and nutmeg wafting through the air.</div><div><br /></div><div>You know what else it's time for? The annual Longbox Junk Halloween Horror Marathon!</div><div><br /></div><div>It's when I try and stuff as many reviews of spooky comics into the month of October that I can. Sometimes I do a theme. Sometimes not. But there's ALWAYS good fun to be had.</div><div><br /></div><div>This year there's a theme. It's going to be the SECOND Longbox Junk ALL retro-review Halloween Party! It's been a couple of years since I did this (2020), and I had a lot of fun. Besides, it lets the fine and friendly folk over at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/OGWLOC" target="_blank">OLD GUYS WHO LIKE OLD COMICS</a> join the party, since they don't like much of anything in comics that came out after 1986. . .not that there's a single thing wrong with THAT.</div><div><br /></div><div>SO. . .</div><div><br /></div><div>Pumpkin spice and old comic book paper. The smell of the season. Let's get this party started! First up, what's a Halloween party without a few Ghosts? I say it ain't a party at all!</div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">GHOSTS #35</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">DC (1975)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrTq-xaOrEco5eiqIvPcrjSti7cJrT9eNnqikyCLFn0A8lEUxAOxcepBeOtDFiEome4gemjPy-VKpmNQDUbf36a8wUsdAQFWf3AovKAD4lbJQ8dfBvGcSLjEoGgEQz0Y2pOt4M2r_RtI8RX6atXu-fbJ8nbfJOtAk9uFYzO6zsbwAVhIL0kgQVaSXieg/s610/ghosts35cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrTq-xaOrEco5eiqIvPcrjSti7cJrT9eNnqikyCLFn0A8lEUxAOxcepBeOtDFiEome4gemjPy-VKpmNQDUbf36a8wUsdAQFWf3AovKAD4lbJQ8dfBvGcSLjEoGgEQz0Y2pOt4M2r_RtI8RX6atXu-fbJ8nbfJOtAk9uFYzO6zsbwAVhIL0kgQVaSXieg/w420-h640/ghosts35cover.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>COVER: Nick Cardy</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE COVER:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The late, great, Nick Cardy rarely disappoints and this cover is no exception. It's not his BEST cover, mind you, but it's definitely a very nice Halloween cover! The ghosts reaching up for the happy, oblivious woman are really creepy and cool. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The only thing I DON'T like about this cover is what I don't like about just about ALL the earlier "Ghosts" covers. . .the title and bottom text together take up about HALF of the cover! Space that could have been reduced for more great cover art. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Let's get inside this thing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE STORIES:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Four. . .count 'em. . .FOUR comic stories and a 1 page text piece in here. Now THAT'S some good value for a single lousy 1975 quarter. Let's give them each their own turn. . . </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">FEUD WITH A PHANTOM</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>SCRIPT: ?</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>PENCILS: Alex Nino</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>INKS: Alex Nino</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE STORY:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After a cruel sea captain smuggling illegal Chinese immigrants to the United States comes into conflict over the wretched treatment of their passengers, he kills the first mate in a fight. But he is later astounded to discover that the ghost of the murdered man haunts the ship!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE8ZVjs5mlxUe3Ctw6xPSS5GiiKkxkTy-b7ibxdP7gMeRESP9ukVQ8qvb-lb07N454BxJ0MO8zWj80Vj0biw0KuH2CaG57gRfC1NWvcyUSIPCWmzrk3c5PT-mr_xRVNRBhDiizv6QOsYpra3cpD1sM0EPV9UcxnzexdFLyISG27vrJt0261MrbnCpmi7A/s2307/g35aa.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2307" data-original-width="1543" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE8ZVjs5mlxUe3Ctw6xPSS5GiiKkxkTy-b7ibxdP7gMeRESP9ukVQ8qvb-lb07N454BxJ0MO8zWj80Vj0biw0KuH2CaG57gRfC1NWvcyUSIPCWmzrk3c5PT-mr_xRVNRBhDiizv6QOsYpra3cpD1sM0EPV9UcxnzexdFLyISG27vrJt0261MrbnCpmi7A/w428-h640/g35aa.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When the ghost causes the ship to come to the attention of the Coast Guard, the Captain orders the illegal passengers thrown overboard, but to his horror, he finds himself joining them in the watery depths as the ghostly first mate has his revenge!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1idQTftLWol_QFpSpCARCQA1t1fa6J56LP-NZ7MX6yQRSPzxyOyLjVc_DZwz-349L2ijUSE5FLTRm4vazFRJyFBXi1F3dKsjDdxw39O7j8p0Iu58FDo4fhYVpSnD9xY4PwL9o4orxZ0-45bmY2DZ6ZehRWge0OzPhyphenhyphenOb-YLNQ7X1DnCpmvvIzkZs4JE/s2352/g35a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2352" data-original-width="1488" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1idQTftLWol_QFpSpCARCQA1t1fa6J56LP-NZ7MX6yQRSPzxyOyLjVc_DZwz-349L2ijUSE5FLTRm4vazFRJyFBXi1F3dKsjDdxw39O7j8p0Iu58FDo4fhYVpSnD9xY4PwL9o4orxZ0-45bmY2DZ6ZehRWge0OzPhyphenhyphenOb-YLNQ7X1DnCpmvvIzkZs4JE/w404-h640/g35a.jpg" width="404" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The End.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE REVIEW:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not bad. Not great. Pretty good. It's a fairly standard "Murdered Man Gets Revenge From Beyond The Grave" story, so it doesn't really stand out or is memorable. But what this story DOES have going for it is some great artwork! I love the dark inks and the realistic figures the artist gives us. The images seem to move and flow across the page! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, an extremely well-worn story saved by some fantastic art. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">NEXT!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">THE GHOST WHO POSSESSED LISA!</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>SCRIPT: ?</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>PENCILS: John Calnan</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>INKS: John Calnan</b></div><div><br /></div><b>THE STORY:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Calabria, Italy. 1939. A beautiful young woman named Lisa is suddenly stricken while getting water from the river. Before the horrified eyes of the other women, her face and body change to that of an old man. . .a man they recognize has having died two years before at that very river, one Cesare Veraldi!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHk6HnMJUUl1STdIgVtfyBasmxtFxwzG5SC6hu0GIbO9een08ijnnu4XpetOaO7T97TpsBQB_JKZgGwdzxGffHWZJ8mrsLNUOki7WhTJGIxx5NCmeUtU4Hyk30a3NYVltej-Si3v5vB98AhaFLwt2qDRchHXz4tjTQ0CzHvHkikzAUJudxCmYAr9xYXTc/s2341/g35b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2341" data-original-width="1488" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHk6HnMJUUl1STdIgVtfyBasmxtFxwzG5SC6hu0GIbO9een08ijnnu4XpetOaO7T97TpsBQB_JKZgGwdzxGffHWZJ8mrsLNUOki7WhTJGIxx5NCmeUtU4Hyk30a3NYVltej-Si3v5vB98AhaFLwt2qDRchHXz4tjTQ0CzHvHkikzAUJudxCmYAr9xYXTc/w406-h640/g35b.jpg" width="406" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The terrified villagers follow Lisa/ Veraldi into town, where the gruesome being confronts three villagers, accusing them of murdering him for his money! They protest, but Lisa/Veraldi leads the village to where his body is hidden, provoking a confession from the accused men. Justice now served, Veraldi leaves Lisa's body. She remembers nothing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPAOtxeswTGfiN02IPFSSsXbPY6KLnlyXqsrPcdZfyNQYCkTzlf-0RTswl6EzJiL70lcERId8vbsZ5g4sfbwYssggTJqJ3Z75bqfRAZDcgdisCPa6F2_29mBHOPucS1-cl_lokcOnVMt66_K9tqv_isBrURUrjDtJnoWH4jy9tBbo47kCmpBfO9uFA_o/s2352/g35bb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2352" data-original-width="1504" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPAOtxeswTGfiN02IPFSSsXbPY6KLnlyXqsrPcdZfyNQYCkTzlf-0RTswl6EzJiL70lcERId8vbsZ5g4sfbwYssggTJqJ3Z75bqfRAZDcgdisCPa6F2_29mBHOPucS1-cl_lokcOnVMt66_K9tqv_isBrURUrjDtJnoWH4jy9tBbo47kCmpBfO9uFA_o/w410-h640/g35bb.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The End.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>THE REVIEW:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Another "Murdered Man Gets Revenge From Beyond The Grave" story, this time with a little possession twist. It's. . .okay. Not much more than that. Unlike the first story (which followed a similar well-worn story path), this one doesn't have fantastic art to save it. The art here isn't BAD at all. It's pretty good. I'd describe it as "serviceable". It tells the story, period. </div><div><br /></div><div>Overall, another extremely well-worn story path with artwork that's just pretty good gives us a story that is okay, but forgotten almost as soon as you're done reading it.</div><div><br /></div><div>NEXT!</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>THE DEMON'S INN</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div><b>SCRIPT: ?</b></div><div><b>PENCILS: Ruben Yandoc</b></div><div><b>INKS: Ruben Yandoc</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>THE STORY:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>When a man and his wife are attacked by a pillow that seemingly came to life in the middle of the night while staying at a sketchy country inn, they barely escape with their lives before leaving the inn. The innkeeper explains to his new assistant that the inn is haunted by the spirit of the previous owner, who was hanged for robbing and murdering guests. . .smothering them with a pillow.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJv-wzjPaiionihIhFaA3prr8ufXt9NISRhGit7dIQiI6FzSekLgBID_kI72hCvbgOITeAxuRwl0luRC7J7f2aX52nPx4E7exkfZctAg7wqPez-s1iM5Pc3rIp9KGyJ2oucxKRP-iFM-MhWT5OMxKt1VeSvI4jpeKsxq8BIOE1hws8grjgGVGhvC0Buo/s2352/g35c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2352" data-original-width="1520" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJv-wzjPaiionihIhFaA3prr8ufXt9NISRhGit7dIQiI6FzSekLgBID_kI72hCvbgOITeAxuRwl0luRC7J7f2aX52nPx4E7exkfZctAg7wqPez-s1iM5Pc3rIp9KGyJ2oucxKRP-iFM-MhWT5OMxKt1VeSvI4jpeKsxq8BIOE1hws8grjgGVGhvC0Buo/w414-h640/g35c.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next night, another guest encounters the killer pillow. . .and sees the spirit holding it! He knocks the pillow into the fireplace, causing the entire inn to go up in flames. The innkeeper and guests escape, but a strange, spectral figure is seen dancing in the flames as the inn burns to the ground.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehfSLBocAN-kRGSCSsFpv75S3RIk9PbueyhouYXFPwIHYuPjXsN1ztoX-MQKZiGIym7eTI7lApmh8oc7oksOZtMPozPtGoLnxI0jpvQqhJxi7anhqDCTi_0BU0XH4f5TVIHX7JdsOJ8jGQ9Tm7sHptiSp_N-beKa1NL0Ljfx7mfB08ac0AJDmcmfgLvY/s2352/g35cc.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2352" data-original-width="1520" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehfSLBocAN-kRGSCSsFpv75S3RIk9PbueyhouYXFPwIHYuPjXsN1ztoX-MQKZiGIym7eTI7lApmh8oc7oksOZtMPozPtGoLnxI0jpvQqhJxi7anhqDCTi_0BU0XH4f5TVIHX7JdsOJ8jGQ9Tm7sHptiSp_N-beKa1NL0Ljfx7mfB08ac0AJDmcmfgLvY/w414-h640/g35cc.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The End.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b>THE REVIEW: </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Really? A haunted PILLOW story? And here I'd thought I'd seen them all. I have to admit, it took some guts for the editor to actually include this story. I'm thinking the book must have been right up against a deadline. A haunted pillow story. Go figure. </div><div><br /></div><div>Too bad it isn't a very good story when you get down to it. And the art is done by the same artist on the previous story, so it stays firmly in the lane of "pretty good" and just telling the story without trying much harder than that.</div><div><br /></div><div>Overall, beyond the bizarre concept of this tale, there's not much else going for it. A damn shame. The world NEEDS more haunted pillow stories, in my humble opinion.</div><div><br /></div><div>MOVING ALONG!</div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>THE SPITE OF THE SPECTER</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div><b>SCRIPT: ?</b></div><div><b>PENCILS: Frank Redondo</b></div><div><b>INKS: Frank Redondo</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>THE STORY:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Somewhere in the jungle of the Marianas islands. 1945. . .World War II. Private Norman Scott is attacked by a Japanese sniper. The sniper misses and Pvt. Scott makes a temporary truce with the Japanese soldier, telling him that they are the only two human souls left on the tiny island. Their armies have gone and left them both for dead! </div><div><br /></div><div>Despite the truce, the Japanese soldier later attacks Pvt. Scott with a knife, severely wounding him. The Japanese soldier feels remorse and tries to nurse Scott back to health, but the American dies, leaving the Japanese man alone on the island.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KAqhoc-itlpkG-DO1i-CFdxsAXSN8jKI7exQD4PAVkXhnwZ8ryZCdI1a5sU4JGLoCHI4zBJ9fb95BNzSg-4Azz99CkQ03OFpyxcCS3gAu4BFbgbx2qrfDWBmV_5xRKINT2h7ffH_TAQ-RJhhF2XQeZ4IxndpBTzyJ46DJCtsSGjedBxLziv29I8TcjA/s2352/g35d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2352" data-original-width="1520" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KAqhoc-itlpkG-DO1i-CFdxsAXSN8jKI7exQD4PAVkXhnwZ8ryZCdI1a5sU4JGLoCHI4zBJ9fb95BNzSg-4Azz99CkQ03OFpyxcCS3gAu4BFbgbx2qrfDWBmV_5xRKINT2h7ffH_TAQ-RJhhF2XQeZ4IxndpBTzyJ46DJCtsSGjedBxLziv29I8TcjA/w414-h640/g35d.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>As the weeks go by, the Japanese soldier slowly cracks from lack of human companionship. The terrified man begins to see the spirit of the dead American. He follows the spirit around the island, demanding that it speak to him. </div><div><br /></div><div>Too late, the Japanese soldier realizes that the spirit has led him into a trap. . .quicksand! As he sinks to his death, the silent spirit finally speaks, telling the doomed man that they will be together forever on this island now!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXzJ1Pz3Z3yZiZ43XxIRnjUgW6DNerv2Xe3a9sjYSjpYu7LZC_0GBluA9AtXbtrofQYI_d-CkIiBFaP2vtWP1dtazJJ3OpS4V1TE8yaZ_tz_vPMBsIOpRNpBnb2IqdBj57v8-GFuqHZlKcHnpyLc6dVXeQzyOg0z2KA-v8BVbcJvT3OKdz7p5QONY6FE/s2352/g35dd.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2352" data-original-width="1520" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXzJ1Pz3Z3yZiZ43XxIRnjUgW6DNerv2Xe3a9sjYSjpYu7LZC_0GBluA9AtXbtrofQYI_d-CkIiBFaP2vtWP1dtazJJ3OpS4V1TE8yaZ_tz_vPMBsIOpRNpBnb2IqdBj57v8-GFuqHZlKcHnpyLc6dVXeQzyOg0z2KA-v8BVbcJvT3OKdz7p5QONY6FE/w414-h640/g35dd.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The End.<div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>THE REVIEW:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>This one seems like a story that was pulled from the Weird War Tales (also by DC) emergency files. Like the other three stories in this issue, it's just. . .okay. It's yet another "Murdered Man Gets Revenge From Beyond The Grave" tale, but with a war story twist. Like the first story, this one is saved by some outstanding artwork! </div><div><br /></div><div>I've always enjoyed Frank Redondo's art, even though he might not be the most FAMOUS Bronze Age artist. His work is ALL over DC's war and horror comics of the time, and for good reason. He can make even a so-so story (like this one) look good.</div><div><br /></div><div>Overall, ANOTHER "Revenge From Beyond The Grave" story. It's pretty good, but the very nice Frank Redondo artwork saves this one from being utterly average.</div><div><br /></div><div>AND FINALLY. . .</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">THE SPIRIT THAT SEIZED A SOUL</span></b></div><div><b>(One page text story with illustration)</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>SCRIPT: Murray Boltinoff</b></div><div><b>ILLUSTRATION: Frank Robbins</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>THE STORY:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>A rather matter-of-fact recounting of the strange (and supposedly true) case of 12-year-old Mary Jobson, who defied both doctors and priests when she was supposedly possessed by an evil spirit or demon in 1839. . .one of the earliest well-recorded cases of demonic/spirit possession. Read the whole thing below. </div><div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGRHGiwmqjXZFMZq3CldyASbMXPDng6SYow8yw11IQ1UvKIhpy5P-sf9UcrGi-R3Z3ASrh-Yf8ifGpXvVwrdwND7RLSy029eFChHPucD4nLH_5RtbX7os2J5joM7gp0lqxloDYSJTQE32VjvZxPLnqHKMWOlNrYJMYHsAolEyUxWfJ0TFVdX1Xu2MD2s/s2352/g35story.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2352" data-original-width="1520" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGRHGiwmqjXZFMZq3CldyASbMXPDng6SYow8yw11IQ1UvKIhpy5P-sf9UcrGi-R3Z3ASrh-Yf8ifGpXvVwrdwND7RLSy029eFChHPucD4nLH_5RtbX7os2J5joM7gp0lqxloDYSJTQE32VjvZxPLnqHKMWOlNrYJMYHsAolEyUxWfJ0TFVdX1Xu2MD2s/w414-h640/g35story.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE REVIEW:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Unlike the other four stories in this issue, this little text piece seems to be based on an actual case, according to a bit of research I did (namely typing "Mary Jobson 1839" into Google like the scholar that I am). It's a pretty straightforward sketch of what supposedly happened, and for that, it's a pretty good reminder of the days before you COULD just type stuff into Google. And the single little illustration by Frank Robbins is pretty good too, for what that's worth.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, probably the most interesting part of the issue for supposedly being a true story.</div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">CONCLUSION</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">All in all, a pretty "Meh" start to the Longbox Junk Halloween party this year. It's not that the stories are BAD, it's just that none of them are very memorable. . .except maybe the story about the haunted pillow, which is memorable for all the wrong reasons.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Three out of four of these stories follow the exact same story path of "Murdered Man Gets Revenge From Beyond The Grave", with just a little twist to set the tales apart from the others. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There IS some very nice artwork in here in the first and last comic story by Alex Nino and Frank Redondo that is just about all that saves this entire issue from being utterly forgettable. And even THAT isn't enough for me to recommend this issue to anyone but the most ardent fan of Bronze Age horror comics.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sad to say, but there's just not enough spooky meat on the bone here for me to suggest picking up this issue for anything other than the cool Nick Cardy cover. . .which isn't even as good as it COULD be, thanks to intrusive text and title.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Oh well, I guess they can't ALL be winners. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">UP NEXT. . .</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This party is just getting started!</div><div style="text-align: left;">There's more spooky Longbox Junk Halloween fun to come!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We're heading back to 1985 for a look at some indie horror!</div><div style="text-align: left;">Death Rattle #1 from Kitchen Sink Comix.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Be there or be square!</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Atomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07048497340899834399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025939866108320406.post-19934146603327095492023-09-25T23:32:00.008-07:002023-09-26T06:48:29.112-07:00Longbox Junk - Star Trek Unlimited #7Welcome to Longbox Junk, the place where I write comic reviews that nobody asked me to!<div><br /></div><div>Can you smell it? Awwww. . .YEAH! That's FALL in the air, folks! You know what that means, right? RIGHT? Well, if you don't, it means that it's time for what's become a bit of a Longbox Junk tradition. . . the annual LONGBOX JUNK HALLOWEEN HORROR MARATHON!</div><div><br /></div><div>It's where I make the effort to cram as many spooky comic book reviews into the month of October as I can! Sometimes there's a theme, sometimes there's not. But there's always a lot of fun to be had!</div><div><br /></div><div>Ready? Let's do this!</div><div><br /></div><div>Wait. . .WHAT? It's still September? Ah, you party poopers. </div><div>I guess let's check out a Star Trek comic instead.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">STAR TREK UNLIMITED #7</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Marvel/Paramount Comics (1998)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0NILP_-8362aLoIGFm2eh0N-ztK4CYEPQf94y64rrxgf0MemjSCNvGh945fDdDTHQVqBjozd7ogxQ3JBvykQATh8kgmCXiNbVzk2jk0tcAB9dQ4w7MYqdITas4mpd-KJq289jW4bRtf__YkyTNacnfzjiycgT57Q8mRDBUK3h2vkgtTncVzxJo8q0-s/s610/stucover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0NILP_-8362aLoIGFm2eh0N-ztK4CYEPQf94y64rrxgf0MemjSCNvGh945fDdDTHQVqBjozd7ogxQ3JBvykQATh8kgmCXiNbVzk2jk0tcAB9dQ4w7MYqdITas4mpd-KJq289jW4bRtf__YkyTNacnfzjiycgT57Q8mRDBUK3h2vkgtTncVzxJo8q0-s/w420-h640/stucover.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">AN INFINITE JEST</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>SCRIPT: Dan Abnett & Ian Edginton</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>PENCILS: Ron Randall & Tom Morgan</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>INKS: Art Nichols & Scott Hanna</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE COVER: </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's very simple, and in that simplicity, it REALLY catches the eye. The gold and silver insignias and title against the flat black background pop out in a big way. Quite a few of the Star Trek covers from the short time Marvel held the license are pretty cluttered and crowded. This is definitely one of the better ones of the bunch. Let's get inside this thing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE STORY:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We begin our tale as two godlike beings, Q and Trelane, grow bored and decide to play a game. A game with the very fabric of existence as the prize and with humans as the playing pieces! Trelane makes the first move. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KD1_9izZ3Rk-AVKgbNZxPKuTyCfMeS7upgAn8HKK95WVC6rUg0WXSXTAf8PVS0iwnFYgGR_xoTefQkiTJjguiMQspNWlKHypu9NnLSyAO9udNnoKtzD_oCBhzLublfb01PiggKPQtpi5n0dfiMBM6PT141BA6V9b1rlBbeItmhW5ljsi4EgREZA890k/s1527/stu7a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1527" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KD1_9izZ3Rk-AVKgbNZxPKuTyCfMeS7upgAn8HKK95WVC6rUg0WXSXTAf8PVS0iwnFYgGR_xoTefQkiTJjguiMQspNWlKHypu9NnLSyAO9udNnoKtzD_oCBhzLublfb01PiggKPQtpi5n0dfiMBM6PT141BA6V9b1rlBbeItmhW5ljsi4EgREZA890k/w420-h640/stu7a.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We shift scenes to the 24th century and the bridge of Starfleet's new flagship, the Sovereign class U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 E on the day of her maiden voyage. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Commissioned after the destruction of the fabled Enterprise D on Veridian III (as seen in the movie Star Trek: Generations) the powerful new starship is under the guidance of Starfleet's finest Commanding Officer, the legendary Captain James Kirk. . .wait, WHAT?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9ekuVLroi4ixSt4bmBUCAPhYiCjtC8XvK9Ddyzj4M5CecWsN6P7Zb9LdAlsRgwWxdmKiQPDTbSRoiRe_qulRPH6rEZsuC9SqUqyO_KtxaS6SAyhMPpU4tI13WpvC7jD0nuMrHHCNuXLYNFPSOCvAqmCUYIeCORdss_jR6SOJqZA6fx7n1oOfar-y_sQ/s1527/stu7b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1527" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9ekuVLroi4ixSt4bmBUCAPhYiCjtC8XvK9Ddyzj4M5CecWsN6P7Zb9LdAlsRgwWxdmKiQPDTbSRoiRe_qulRPH6rEZsuC9SqUqyO_KtxaS6SAyhMPpU4tI13WpvC7jD0nuMrHHCNuXLYNFPSOCvAqmCUYIeCORdss_jR6SOJqZA6fx7n1oOfar-y_sQ/w420-h640/stu7b.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Captain Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise E sense that something is wrong, but unable to put their finger on it, they proceed as planned with the ship's maiden voyage. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the meantime, Q mocks Trelane's choice of player, but Trelane is confident that Kirk will thrive with the technological advantages of the 24th century. Q decides turnabout is fair play and reveals HIS player. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the bridge of the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701, in the 23rd century, we are introduced to Captain Jean-Luc Picard as his ship comes under attack from a Klingon cruiser!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhh0gLAWOxtUqvpNv227y9KpISP-8hbR9UB6ZJBn0pmh4N7WgIIU03kbKFVN8il1cKQf8PTbvpKIx6u-Ar8kLadpcqI2xmaKsYa1bKxw3P15k7WSe08_9QgaUXisDeeC2EtQ8b4nTLHarDkCi8rbYZIpg5S9IhuewSnizvoo4YXF1T6v7lrUzURm6AHE/s1527/stu7c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1527" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhh0gLAWOxtUqvpNv227y9KpISP-8hbR9UB6ZJBn0pmh4N7WgIIU03kbKFVN8il1cKQf8PTbvpKIx6u-Ar8kLadpcqI2xmaKsYa1bKxw3P15k7WSe08_9QgaUXisDeeC2EtQ8b4nTLHarDkCi8rbYZIpg5S9IhuewSnizvoo4YXF1T6v7lrUzURm6AHE/w420-h640/stu7c.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Picard manages to fight off the Klingons despite his confusion, and that of the crew over his strange orders. Finally, Q steps in to freeze the action and reveal the game to Picard. </div><div><br /></div><div>Predictably, Picard is outraged and refuses to play Q's games. Q tells him that he's got no choice. The game is afoot, existence itself is at stake, and Q expects Picard to win.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLvtDemYPRu9iottWXll1xhXMVHXH69SJc723jj0onfdFzh3QYxyc_Rm6gHpVax_5c73NQtZ_NxeNham2bns-5SSGiSZJlPYftJDtYFTsNQK4QyipL1KrNQYe-A-FUP9IXQUa869HKz9eEeOlC8Wu5sA1fhbKF008RPxP6-0QpOerS8j_daj6seGT92g/s1527/stu7d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1527" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLvtDemYPRu9iottWXll1xhXMVHXH69SJc723jj0onfdFzh3QYxyc_Rm6gHpVax_5c73NQtZ_NxeNham2bns-5SSGiSZJlPYftJDtYFTsNQK4QyipL1KrNQYe-A-FUP9IXQUa869HKz9eEeOlC8Wu5sA1fhbKF008RPxP6-0QpOerS8j_daj6seGT92g/w420-h640/stu7d.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Likewise, aboard the Enterprise E, Trelane shows himself to Kirk and reveals the game. Kirk protests that he can't win a game that he doesn't know the rules to, but Trelane leaves without providing anything more than that he expects Kirk to win the game.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1s3w_tLbncJwD2SnSKKNBgyIWsaj34N70uVbPfB3H5bIxZs-QZWH1cN81oWVdQIhygXsYsDS4bwkKLpt1PfeoAUG_szrGxlEvGNFuADt7H_4TxEt937hnVS8hKpul0wPUvz5rqtw8hvx1h-mOPpFuDbkE_jmQshX3zoXSmiZd3ahP82LGTImJpPqUQYw/s1527/stu7e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1527" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1s3w_tLbncJwD2SnSKKNBgyIWsaj34N70uVbPfB3H5bIxZs-QZWH1cN81oWVdQIhygXsYsDS4bwkKLpt1PfeoAUG_szrGxlEvGNFuADt7H_4TxEt937hnVS8hKpul0wPUvz5rqtw8hvx1h-mOPpFuDbkE_jmQshX3zoXSmiZd3ahP82LGTImJpPqUQYw/w420-h640/stu7e.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Upon Q and Trelane's exit, the Captains of both ships are informed by their crew that they have somehow been transported to a strange uncharted section of space, with a total absence of all interstellar matter except themselves and a planetoid called "Salvation" that was previously in neither ship's data banks. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Both Captains set course for the planetoid, as it seems to be the only possible source of answers in this strange space. In the meantime, Q and Trelane are satisfied with the chosen players and the game space. All that remains is to provide a challenge. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwcaMEx7l12CCJVC6-NOXfLdVfvpCLqwbIjFMlAmId4ivB-3OSx-27YPzDJG4c59_xz1tzDlyeCj-82-QpZ-Jd6Qy2oR8p517IhVmLAa1nkZhfzV8Qn1nrzNrnN-FhF5QnwAQWWBHXy_zW_QR_NzIZtdqzK4iu5145depAWsUxx0w7Sbpfh-ctQuBk7I/s1527/stu7f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1527" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwcaMEx7l12CCJVC6-NOXfLdVfvpCLqwbIjFMlAmId4ivB-3OSx-27YPzDJG4c59_xz1tzDlyeCj-82-QpZ-Jd6Qy2oR8p517IhVmLAa1nkZhfzV8Qn1nrzNrnN-FhF5QnwAQWWBHXy_zW_QR_NzIZtdqzK4iu5145depAWsUxx0w7Sbpfh-ctQuBk7I/w420-h640/stu7f.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With a snap of his fingers, Trelane summons Picard's old foe Gowron and his Imperial Klingon Vor'Cha Cruiser. He places the hulking battleship near Picard's ancient Starfleet vessel. A confused Gowron immediately begins pursuit of the Enterprise!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wDAe7LsZhZb5bNE1Sy7puZ6dOKU4glY2s9ANyOs8wMFk8m4gTjl46bxu2Uwgxfr0l4APSvCRoPZqT-1o6bMLXOhlAzCLCEMn2F1tKYqNfII4HaBmDl6gQuY-vpN3tVO5jPJjKoat5ZmdHlWOUcCRSJOznpBm9rZ41WGTCGuQxHiiWOIPsjhZj-lEI1g/s1490/stu7g.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1490" data-original-width="983" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wDAe7LsZhZb5bNE1Sy7puZ6dOKU4glY2s9ANyOs8wMFk8m4gTjl46bxu2Uwgxfr0l4APSvCRoPZqT-1o6bMLXOhlAzCLCEMn2F1tKYqNfII4HaBmDl6gQuY-vpN3tVO5jPJjKoat5ZmdHlWOUcCRSJOznpBm9rZ41WGTCGuQxHiiWOIPsjhZj-lEI1g/w422-h640/stu7g.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Q protests Trelane's unequal match. Trelane mocks Q for perhaps not being up to the challenge. Q decides that once again, turnabout is fair game. With a snap of HIS fingers, a challenge is presented to Kirk and the Enterprise E.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIelnUit8MGx_WVAAez977eorD1DiWbklR04V_u3sYiPsX3XBfObBc_sMTysR-JOSe2au929_lXGCCpGJcWHhF8Pu7GuWB4bzIQKVB7OxGWZASUw5wDKauLFLXjjx2I7Kvsb2DbvZQlMTJGy2TB4XNNDVWPLIXu2q8T2_574vH-b7EHgwsOm6WBZ6UIas/s1527/stu7h.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1527" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIelnUit8MGx_WVAAez977eorD1DiWbklR04V_u3sYiPsX3XBfObBc_sMTysR-JOSe2au929_lXGCCpGJcWHhF8Pu7GuWB4bzIQKVB7OxGWZASUw5wDKauLFLXjjx2I7Kvsb2DbvZQlMTJGy2TB4XNNDVWPLIXu2q8T2_574vH-b7EHgwsOm6WBZ6UIas/w420-h640/stu7h.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Kirk's old foe, Commander Kang, is transported to the strange playing field. They detect the Enterprise E and immediately set course to intercept!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tqORxOD2m8qitB2mDr-TlANSk0XWwoe-ForHFx06pbHqQSjuj-9uBt8nIjlkuc3dWW__YwhGeBpx8acyGhQsci_S6vqeV9x5oA_FAWKckDLXF9QDLx82c4eP2ggE3lQzkh_3ONx9D6RqvMUXiGWHzkuvziK7gmyXrmCNkxDUxYRTKM8sm4T4LgjdTwk/s1527/stu7i.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1527" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tqORxOD2m8qitB2mDr-TlANSk0XWwoe-ForHFx06pbHqQSjuj-9uBt8nIjlkuc3dWW__YwhGeBpx8acyGhQsci_S6vqeV9x5oA_FAWKckDLXF9QDLx82c4eP2ggE3lQzkh_3ONx9D6RqvMUXiGWHzkuvziK7gmyXrmCNkxDUxYRTKM8sm4T4LgjdTwk/w420-h640/stu7i.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Aboard the Enterprise E, the approaching ancient Klingon warship is detected on an attack course! The crew is certain that the Klingon weapons will not be able to harm them, but Q throws another twist into the game, disabling the Enterprise E's shields as Kang attacks, causing heavy damage!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KR5JqOlZDkE2bEbERadFIAedsU_HvU8HlxY8PzfZ7PxvN0H5JNLy0nYXFkL32-OjUwQ1gF1OgPOBcFORJ30gZP-piPPDVSJ0b-56O5hu-RYuV3Y2SYAEvQkr5U6Ot47bsnwXXi4yYOkgZjY1elUTQInXVc7HaiUfY_T-i00iKR9mW73rdCSKa2cWkfI/s1527/stu7j.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1527" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KR5JqOlZDkE2bEbERadFIAedsU_HvU8HlxY8PzfZ7PxvN0H5JNLy0nYXFkL32-OjUwQ1gF1OgPOBcFORJ30gZP-piPPDVSJ0b-56O5hu-RYuV3Y2SYAEvQkr5U6Ot47bsnwXXi4yYOkgZjY1elUTQInXVc7HaiUfY_T-i00iKR9mW73rdCSKa2cWkfI/w420-h640/stu7j.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Aboard the Enterprise NCC-1701, Picard is faced with an advanced Klingon warship bearing down on his ancient and highly outmatched vessel. He decides that the Klingons thinking that he won't fight will be their advantage. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Using his knowledge of the Klingon vessel gained from the 24th century, Picard turns the Enterprise in and strikes a weak point, taking the Klingons by surprise and heavily damaging their engines. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Picard takes advantage of the temporary gain and warps away from the battle and toward the Salvation planetoid.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzg-E7n0DZEAf-Gqt88TIbVYiqqDaopTxh9aaj5BHMgBsKYE3qAwCYFPH0cQQwwDVoDQn-dFyZeet0PuVN8B02IKE6HpsVpvOAzm6snDtjb-JxQfTB9aV6veawS-5ZjSuB9M5-nC1WzhH0CtozO_8ZbJgkjfmWZ0mvgOFVs3bk9GtExTX54Vh9Z7FGnI/s1527/stu7k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1527" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzg-E7n0DZEAf-Gqt88TIbVYiqqDaopTxh9aaj5BHMgBsKYE3qAwCYFPH0cQQwwDVoDQn-dFyZeet0PuVN8B02IKE6HpsVpvOAzm6snDtjb-JxQfTB9aV6veawS-5ZjSuB9M5-nC1WzhH0CtozO_8ZbJgkjfmWZ0mvgOFVs3bk9GtExTX54Vh9Z7FGnI/w420-h640/stu7k.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Meanwhile, aboard the heavily-damaged Enterprise E, Captain Kirk desperately tries to think of a way to escape with his crippled and unarmed ship. The crew informs him that repairs will take hours. Obviously, fighting isn't the way out of this one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He hails the ancient Klingon ship and Commander Kang seems not at all surprised to be facing Kirk. Kang demands surrender. Kirk refuses and makes Kang an offer. . .the secrets of the weapon technology on the planetoid in exchange for safe passage. A deadly bluff if the Klingons manage to see through it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCxHKyie8Ka0Sm7qPHHh6c9BQk0XtPSc5tkCjDwCJxbG1Eeax3CWNcTectP-ttEqbfCTe4zv78pwJFBWtb-x484FWdszbKXoMGIG_DkYRGK5kkElxh45CNY5K0Q9Z_50R03_KEVeKT5a5Pd7g4WeWmE6Uha4lfL_ZEclv5SMIG-JZgFMsH5ElhSYn4B0/s1527/stu7l.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1527" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCxHKyie8Ka0Sm7qPHHh6c9BQk0XtPSc5tkCjDwCJxbG1Eeax3CWNcTectP-ttEqbfCTe4zv78pwJFBWtb-x484FWdszbKXoMGIG_DkYRGK5kkElxh45CNY5K0Q9Z_50R03_KEVeKT5a5Pd7g4WeWmE6Uha4lfL_ZEclv5SMIG-JZgFMsH5ElhSYn4B0/w420-h640/stu7l.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As Picard's Enterprise flees from Gowron, he gathers the command crew, revealing to Spock and McCoy that he isn't who they think he is. He's from the future and they're all pawns in an insane game between immortal beings.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Spock and McCoy are skeptical, but Picard invites Spock to mind-meld with him. . .as in the future, he mind-melded with an older Ambassador Spock and that traces of that time should still be within his mind. Spock does the mind-meld and is convinced Picard is telling the truth.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6BaCodL_n40eZ4sin-jcmhU5-LPo_NKe10LXp3hIy7mgkykbpzv3nxbeGOAaHCOk1LtMhVJyHMdtoLSr2EWfAfnfafEqlZXS0TpGBO7aJIWEjjY5BAyPWdgF0Hp-AhFSDoUnYbf44Pc7Hs1cYyuuDqrOvinnuw4LkWx1Sv5O4uzwzXJHK87aqJVIZWNM/s1527/stu7m.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1527" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6BaCodL_n40eZ4sin-jcmhU5-LPo_NKe10LXp3hIy7mgkykbpzv3nxbeGOAaHCOk1LtMhVJyHMdtoLSr2EWfAfnfafEqlZXS0TpGBO7aJIWEjjY5BAyPWdgF0Hp-AhFSDoUnYbf44Pc7Hs1cYyuuDqrOvinnuw4LkWx1Sv5O4uzwzXJHK87aqJVIZWNM/w420-h640/stu7m.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Aboard the Enterprise E, after stalling Kang's attack, Kirk decides to come clean and reveal the truth to Deanna Troi. Using her psychic abilities, she becomes convinced that Kirk is telling the truth. She immediately thinks he's talking about Q. Kirk informs her that there is another. . .Trelane.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCMNzwKyq7l5YvAZUojkdIm9H5x4G8viFsIfKvZxwJqzgv6rxcZsrbsmIHZ_t850H0AN-pC-42LKh3CJUYaCIth4k9eD05A5DG_WUqKNZiSbNmbMTe5pvKc71U2pybvGNPF4SUTx1X-UyDvkeUhvCWN__bgjrzNtgno45Q36isx5hXyDyxJrsWoZvSLM/s1527/stu7n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1527" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCMNzwKyq7l5YvAZUojkdIm9H5x4G8viFsIfKvZxwJqzgv6rxcZsrbsmIHZ_t850H0AN-pC-42LKh3CJUYaCIth4k9eD05A5DG_WUqKNZiSbNmbMTe5pvKc71U2pybvGNPF4SUTx1X-UyDvkeUhvCWN__bgjrzNtgno45Q36isx5hXyDyxJrsWoZvSLM/w420-h640/stu7n.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The two Enterprise crews contact each other and join in orbit around the Salvation planetoid. Picard, Kirk, and their command crews beam down to the planet to discuss the situation, driving Trelane into a rage as their respective playing pieces "cheat" by working together! Q is just surprised it took them this long to do it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6pav1vpBgiyXUoVT3Csj17XK3sjP5Dv3SRKitbkd6-xjqIPf3S1_B0tShlgyWUC4LKLxngm9O0WeuRhNucBEWYt-51qDOdcuPefohiWm6ZGAYHs1woGbMkggoC22SP_0OhG1tsN5xfvp0jDxQLDK6BvPM7-e5rESUdlr-LChsqMlzxQ7lBnE5-YSC-w/s1600/stu7t.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6pav1vpBgiyXUoVT3Csj17XK3sjP5Dv3SRKitbkd6-xjqIPf3S1_B0tShlgyWUC4LKLxngm9O0WeuRhNucBEWYt-51qDOdcuPefohiWm6ZGAYHs1woGbMkggoC22SP_0OhG1tsN5xfvp0jDxQLDK6BvPM7-e5rESUdlr-LChsqMlzxQ7lBnE5-YSC-w/w400-h300/stu7t.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Trying to salvage what's left of their game, Q and Trelane also travel to the planetoid to confront their wayward champions. . .just as Kirk and Picard knew they would.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKVr5IPxUkpdsfYm9WMCxakNQRcCzRA5rpJiSeoBDyebJgFnVu7lOF6Fh6H-SU93oFA7khfY9VRgk5uHMMnDwnSn5OlS2I1Jn6mcYTKdQyLJfc1s5nFfyxwmBD01sdoyRzUkRdXMg5jGseOAS6zU9icEi1-VsCq2SXVZdvaLsvyild-nspGUveZ23kyQ/s1527/stu7o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1527" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKVr5IPxUkpdsfYm9WMCxakNQRcCzRA5rpJiSeoBDyebJgFnVu7lOF6Fh6H-SU93oFA7khfY9VRgk5uHMMnDwnSn5OlS2I1Jn6mcYTKdQyLJfc1s5nFfyxwmBD01sdoyRzUkRdXMg5jGseOAS6zU9icEi1-VsCq2SXVZdvaLsvyild-nspGUveZ23kyQ/w420-h640/stu7o.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As Picard and Kirk argue with Q and Trelane, trying to convince them that their game is childish and beneath the dignity of immortal beings with unlimited power, the Klingons Gowron and Kang ALSO beam down to the planetoid.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Kirk and Picard reveal to the Klingons that they have also been used as pawns in a petty game played by immature immortals. The Klingons stand with the humans in refusing to play any longer. Q realizes that the game is over. He challenges Trelane to abandon this game and resolve their contest in another way. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Trelane agrees, and with a snap of Q and Trelane's fingers. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtpKpQgXGTPybQpNPtZULW3JH5XKAHtP4Bdh5oK3WwiZeKyOaeWb8Gr901pklXE_w2CTVWDb8GC_9Wj0sd_wPynJLmFK6-FbpZCVZiGyoN7amrU9WAlc5uHmWonxWv329cFz45tx8fjG8K-wCeXCUoSOY83pFRBS4Bk4wbC7beIF-D2OEA4vWWI9bNjFI/s1527/stu7p.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1527" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtpKpQgXGTPybQpNPtZULW3JH5XKAHtP4Bdh5oK3WwiZeKyOaeWb8Gr901pklXE_w2CTVWDb8GC_9Wj0sd_wPynJLmFK6-FbpZCVZiGyoN7amrU9WAlc5uHmWonxWv329cFz45tx8fjG8K-wCeXCUoSOY83pFRBS4Bk4wbC7beIF-D2OEA4vWWI9bNjFI/w420-h640/stu7p.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">. . .Kirk finds himself back on the bridge of HIS Enterprise, still engaged in battle with Kang.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4XmVITfcM1u4i_d3jLkxEHbrv2AubC1s3iD0s4DDliONmyrKXfr31gXEkLFI5CtDT06Rt9yTRE_ADQv13ytbWJzPak6S80UdNF9e2RD9J1UuqwEOJi3NUFqmKZGHEZKB9rslzJqfXh_W5nWkbUXPL5Uk1yumO85iyCoWuk16flGc6CKv_ceAJEl9Gsc/s1527/stu7q.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1527" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4XmVITfcM1u4i_d3jLkxEHbrv2AubC1s3iD0s4DDliONmyrKXfr31gXEkLFI5CtDT06Rt9yTRE_ADQv13ytbWJzPak6S80UdNF9e2RD9J1UuqwEOJi3NUFqmKZGHEZKB9rslzJqfXh_W5nWkbUXPL5Uk1yumO85iyCoWuk16flGc6CKv_ceAJEl9Gsc/w420-h640/stu7q.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">. . .Picard finds himself back on the bridge of the Enterprise E, ready for her maiden voyage.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjF3pTPCHkZRwJePYxBxyYFV9w2Mv4V8ytieuARyO3nubqOfxIKSW1mKf6PWJKaHJSLvOChqSYb0ecbQlr2GqnS_jvTolXQdzLuunzahIcmwbOZVF7ZwNMYjIdS4VUKCXX8bVppQvtHgeZ6JUUCJ9H2-1-jmu5AU7MLKuo8SD3iNRjCsTvYX4clsjr3gw/s1498/stu7r.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1498" data-original-width="983" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjF3pTPCHkZRwJePYxBxyYFV9w2Mv4V8ytieuARyO3nubqOfxIKSW1mKf6PWJKaHJSLvOChqSYb0ecbQlr2GqnS_jvTolXQdzLuunzahIcmwbOZVF7ZwNMYjIdS4VUKCXX8bVppQvtHgeZ6JUUCJ9H2-1-jmu5AU7MLKuo8SD3iNRjCsTvYX4clsjr3gw/w420-h640/stu7r.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">. . .And Trelane and Q ready to decide their contest with trial by combat. All's well that ends well.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRJ4haMEzct-oyAHaxgyiZxu2_qhBn6dDKsLzAHYeVlffOZ84T_zwx7NCIup56gUQtHDXQ-GHm2Ow6BLmIgBHrlJyU-tTsta4qWOKhh-GIRDoSxaWW0HtC0NwLfqqdk9tes3hAS6D4puKN67SU5Mu3JJtJNx8GbHzmUVKOCejvS1u945B4BmlowYMO5s/s1527/stu7s.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1527" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRJ4haMEzct-oyAHaxgyiZxu2_qhBn6dDKsLzAHYeVlffOZ84T_zwx7NCIup56gUQtHDXQ-GHm2Ow6BLmIgBHrlJyU-tTsta4qWOKhh-GIRDoSxaWW0HtC0NwLfqqdk9tes3hAS6D4puKN67SU5Mu3JJtJNx8GbHzmUVKOCejvS1u945B4BmlowYMO5s/w420-h640/stu7s.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The End.</div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THE REVIEW:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What we have here is a story that can literally ONLY be told in comic books (or novels). Even in 1998, twenty-five years ago (TWENTY-FIVE YEARS? I feel old as dirt about now!), the actors in the original Star Trek series were getting up there in years enough that this would have been impossible to do in live action. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And see. . .THAT'S why I love comics like this! They can give us stories that we could never have otherwise (okay, there's novels too, I guess).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As far as the story itself goes, it's fun. It ends a bit abruptly, but getting to that ending where Q and Trelane are put in their place by their "opponents" joining together and letting the Godlike beings know that they've underestimated humanity AGAIN is a pretty fun ride. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I like the twist that Kirk is put into a situation that he can't fight his way out of, and Picard fights his way out of a situation that he can't talk his way out of. It shows that Starfleet values both the fighter AND the thinker, and always has. And really, that's the heart of this story.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the art side of things, the art is decent. There are a few standout moments, but not many. There's two artists and two inkers credited, so I'm thinking one did the original crew's story and the other did the Next Generation crew. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They DO match up pretty well, but I think the artist on the original crew did a better job capturing the likeness' of the actors. On the Next Generation side, Troi, Q and Worf in particular are pretty poorly-done. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Other than that, the art overall is fine. It tells the story nicely, but doesn't try very hard to do much more than that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">CONCLUSION</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I WAS going to just do a random comic again for this review, but picked this one specifically because another blogger I really enjoy has been doing overviews of Star Trek comics and had never actually seen one of these Star Trek Unlimited comics. It was a pretty short-lived series. . .only 10 issues published quarterly during the short time in the 90s when Marvel had the Star Trek license. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There's really not much information to be had on this short series, which told stories set in both the original series timeline and the Next Generation timeline (as well as this issue, which combined the two). I picked this issue because of the interest the other blogger expressed in it, and I hope this review helps add to the scant information to be found on Star Trek Unlimited.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Wait. . .what? Who is that other blogger I mentioned? Glad you asked!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">His name is Josh Turnbull and he runs a GREAT blog called <a href="https://joshsgeekcave.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">JOSH'S GEEK CAVE</a> that can be found at the link, or where he regularly posts as a contributing member at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/coolcomicsinmycollection" target="_blank">COOL COMICS IN MY COLLECTION</a> . . .the place where they keep comics FUN!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I don't mind throwing a shoutout to either one of these great places to get your geek on! Josh's Geek Cave reviews just about EVERYTHING, from Star Trek to Sesame Street. . .and NO, I ain't kidding! This guy loves it ALL!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As far as Cool Comics In My Collection goes, it's a great little gathering place for all things nerdly and fun! There's a little bit of everything and I say if you want a fun hangout that keeps things loose and friendly, then join the Cool Comics Crowd!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">OKAY. . .unsolicited (I swear) plugs for places I really like are done!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you're a Star Trek comic fan then this story combining the original and Next Generation crews is a lot of fun and well worth a read. The series has never been collected, so you'll have to keep your eye out in the bargain bin for individual issues. I see them fairly often, so they're out there to be found by the diligent Longbox Junkers willing to hunt them down.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Is it the greatest Star Trek story ever told? No. Is the art the best Star Trek art out there? No. Is it a fun story that can only happen in comic books (or novels)? Yes! So keep your eye out and give it a try.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Up Next. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Okay, NOW we can begin the Longbox Junk Halloween Horror Marathon!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A couple of years ago (2020) I did an all retro review edition of the Longbox Junk Halloween party. I think I'd like to do that again! Why not? I have a LOT of old spooky comics that have never been reviewed by anyone. So let's do it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Longbox Junk Halloween Horror Marathon 2023 Retro Review Edition is ON!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Be there or be square.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Atomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07048497340899834399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5025939866108320406.post-82753268873894647492023-09-13T00:06:00.005-07:002023-09-13T00:28:35.659-07:00Longbox Junk - All-Star Western #3Welcome to Longbox Junk, the place to find comic reviews you never even knew you wanted!<div><br /></div><div>So, I've been having a little fun just getting random with the Longbox Junk. I generate a number between 1-40 (the number of boxes I have in the comic cave) online and then close my eyes and grab a comic from the box.</div><div><br /></div><div>This time out, I got my hand into one of my "A" boxes and pulled out ANOTHER Bronze Age Beauty! Thing is. . .it's not exactly Longbox JUNK. It's not the sort of comic you're gonna find in the bargain bin, and it DOES have some collector "value" to it. </div><div><br /></div><div>But then again, this ain't a comic that's "valuable" enough to plan on selling it to finance a vacation to Disneyland, either (It won't even cover a single ticket, truth to tell). So it's not bargain bin and it's not top-tier. It's just a cool old comic in very nice condition that might be worth a few bucks. You know what? Let's just call it a Longbox Junk retro review and get 'er done!</div><div><br /></div><div>Ready? Let's do it!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">ALL-STAR WESTERN #3</span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">DC (1970)</span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3uffqXuCcggVknhrMZeZDtktD1FLyymoO6vE-6-dUa25zvEW8TcxjKCJipyLWkeUUtVGkbHV6XqAUao38bPqh89XDkaZaqo9v51MKBzUxCsZnwTsh_ZOxfQxgnirkgE0UwYgsrYqRTOZxzbZuQzYT4tuPvQLe-Do1ixQPqOq_7Ol26G-pJIFXQR5WR4/s607/asw3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3uffqXuCcggVknhrMZeZDtktD1FLyymoO6vE-6-dUa25zvEW8TcxjKCJipyLWkeUUtVGkbHV6XqAUao38bPqh89XDkaZaqo9v51MKBzUxCsZnwTsh_ZOxfQxgnirkgE0UwYgsrYqRTOZxzbZuQzYT4tuPvQLe-Do1ixQPqOq_7Ol26G-pJIFXQR5WR4/w422-h640/asw3.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">COVER: Neal Adams</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE COVER:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Is there ANY cover by the late, great Neal Adams that isn't good? I haven't seen one yet! Don't get me wrong, this isn't the BEST or most memorable cover by Adams, but it's still a darn good one. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">El Diablo is one of my favorite western characters, and I'm a bit disappointed that Adams didn't put the spotlight on him a little more here. That said, the flowing cape of the mysterious hero, as well as the flying mane of his trusty steed as they leap into action are awesome details that grab the eye, even if they ARE crowded toward one side by big hunks of text. The flat green background is also very cool and provides a really interesting look for the whole cover.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Let's get inside this thing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE STORIES:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Three stories for your 1970 dime and nickel in here! You'll never hear ME say a Bronze Age comic doesn't give you your money's worth. Two comic stories and a one page text piece. Let's give 'em each their own turn, shall we? WE SHALL!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">DEATH DEALS THE CARDS!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">SCRIPT: Robert Kanigher</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">PENCILS: Gil Kane</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">INKS: Gil Kane</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rick Wilson is a young man that once had a lot of potential, but now rides the outlaw trail, pursued by his own father! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> All his life, Rick wanted to follow in his father's footsteps as a Texas Ranger, and so he trained himself over the years to be the fastest gun around. But his father, Ranger Captain Sam Wilson, tried to discourage the young man, because being a lawman also means being a target. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not realizing his father was just trying to keep his son safe, Rick rebelled against him and threw in with the Dix Gang, led by a ruthless gunman with a grudge against Captain Wilson.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHiDfDiRFxP5TnY-6H-Ww3nZhQrXhZ1VYDYHume08FYdZXTT0H-llL8g6b3Tju3WlxXB019gMuJVP2SxoREvnBHR-oRuRRJMvyT2r_UayBvYHDaJmf7am8MtPoLdytQGeiP5t6WbVtGiJ5wlzFwEq34fuWbIFrleEM7dpCIVQkJlq330RpPYMGDL4plk/s1422/asw1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1422" data-original-width="975" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHiDfDiRFxP5TnY-6H-Ww3nZhQrXhZ1VYDYHume08FYdZXTT0H-llL8g6b3Tju3WlxXB019gMuJVP2SxoREvnBHR-oRuRRJMvyT2r_UayBvYHDaJmf7am8MtPoLdytQGeiP5t6WbVtGiJ5wlzFwEq34fuWbIFrleEM7dpCIVQkJlq330RpPYMGDL4plk/w438-h640/asw1.jpg" width="438" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When Captain Wilson's trusted deputy is killed in an ambush that seemed to have been set up by his outlaw son, he becomes more determined than ever to bring Rick to justice. In the meantime, the Dix gang plots to rob a train carrying a gold shipment. A train that will be guarded by Rick's own father. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As they pull off the daring train robbery, Dix tells Rick that he set the whole thing up in order to finally get his revenge on Captain Wilson. The rest of the gang draws their guns, ready to kill Rick. They never really trusted him, as the son of a lawman. But Rick turns the tables, fighting off the gang as Dix goes to kill his father!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidasfpfbl12XN4MwvRoXHP5DpY2zKT2ZR7X4-S282yakS6MG2j2GWEptCuBdqWqU26vXk5PpIJw-Kp5s7APz9F8KugnfmAgzm1W57X6ar57BS7AJH3EfP7RwPsPNV4rdrFi9ZCa-JHczFJBhtvC2IxORv9WVwqnyMnEott3auXC05RWZ1PvJ4ZWtCW704/s1460/asw2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1460" data-original-width="979" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidasfpfbl12XN4MwvRoXHP5DpY2zKT2ZR7X4-S282yakS6MG2j2GWEptCuBdqWqU26vXk5PpIJw-Kp5s7APz9F8KugnfmAgzm1W57X6ar57BS7AJH3EfP7RwPsPNV4rdrFi9ZCa-JHczFJBhtvC2IxORv9WVwqnyMnEott3auXC05RWZ1PvJ4ZWtCW704/w430-h640/asw2.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dix confronts Captain Wilson, but the Texas Ranger is a wily old veteran and manages to get the upper hand on the outlaw, pushing him off the train as the dynamite the criminal is carrying explodes! Rick, now done with the Dix Gang, calls his horse and makes his escape as his father shoots at him and swears to bring him to justice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As he rides away, Rick wonders what the future will hold for him.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwc2Bsaa5TbP5VzJe6PFVKNkR8pgPGSm17vAWhLmlmZKUAD_BRm3JJYjl6vUeDrAtgwXuKC_tvo3ky9SpRjYApqOyoihMmh1emhulz7k7SsRwaE66x2DJHhmcOXkJOd8KTTF108kNhZ-R9hgI9BNa2xd5yOHwyTUrxwoVKOA0NxfotFUrbemQ2FMKxXas/s1458/asw3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1458" data-original-width="981" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwc2Bsaa5TbP5VzJe6PFVKNkR8pgPGSm17vAWhLmlmZKUAD_BRm3JJYjl6vUeDrAtgwXuKC_tvo3ky9SpRjYApqOyoihMmh1emhulz7k7SsRwaE66x2DJHhmcOXkJOd8KTTF108kNhZ-R9hgI9BNa2xd5yOHwyTUrxwoVKOA0NxfotFUrbemQ2FMKxXas/w430-h640/asw3.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The End.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE REVIEW:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not a bad little story. Unfortunately, it's the second chapter in a four part tale concluding in All-Star Western #5, so it's not the best place to jump into the story of Rick Wilson: Outlaw. But taken on its own, this was still a good read. Like Neal Adams' cover, it's hard to find a Robert Kanigher story that doesn't deliver. Even though this is just one part of the tale, Kanigher definitely makes me want to read the rest! It's just a good, solid western action tale. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And then there's the art. I'm gonna take some slings and arrows for this, but I've never been a fan of Gil Kane's earlier art on what many fans consider his best character. . .Green Lantern. Whoah! Settle down, folks! That said, I DO really like his later stuff, and this little story is a premium example. It's fluid and cinematic. I think (remember, just MY humble opinion) that the Kane art everyone loves most is stiff. THIS art seems to move across the page. The art is really the best part of this story.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">NEXT!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">AND THE SUN BEAT ON</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">SCRIPT: Mike Friedrich (One page text story)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">An outlaw fleeing through the barren desert, doggedly pursued by the law following a train robbery, discovers that even the finest horse is no match for the searing heat of the Texas sun. Read the whole thing below. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2ubHmapr0-I6PqrTJOa3vj4JtjIv37tR3g_mVdP08-AraYd-9vuH48H0Mr1a-XBhyR5K3xsqbKHu4bUw4Bt-QG6k8_l9STjDQ8kGnDF8dZ-2aWjC9QnNnuzHb6ymUyBMCPj8cS77ob5jy5idAJnqw0tuB4D7R2x-1SNbaxfjbFG1YFPqb58fx8_Kkuw/s1425/and%20the%20sun%20beat%20on.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1425" data-original-width="975" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2ubHmapr0-I6PqrTJOa3vj4JtjIv37tR3g_mVdP08-AraYd-9vuH48H0Mr1a-XBhyR5K3xsqbKHu4bUw4Bt-QG6k8_l9STjDQ8kGnDF8dZ-2aWjC9QnNnuzHb6ymUyBMCPj8cS77ob5jy5idAJnqw0tuB4D7R2x-1SNbaxfjbFG1YFPqb58fx8_Kkuw/w438-h640/and%20the%20sun%20beat%20on.jpg" width="438" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE REVIEW:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Most of the time, these text pieces are just filler and not really worth much mention. But this one I found to be one of the best parts of the comic! It's not actually a story. . .more of a vignette. It starts in progress and doesn't really have an ending. But it has a quality to the writing that sticks in my head and makes me wish it could have been illustrated into a two page intermission. A very nice little surprise!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">AND FINALLY. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">CALL HIM SATAN. . .CALL HIM SAINT!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">SCRIPT: Robert Kanigher</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">PENCILS: Gray Morrow</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">INKS: Gray Morrow</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We begin our tale with a prologue. A miner, saved from an outlaw ambush by a mysterious black-clad and masked rider. The grateful miner tells the masked man that the outlaws are from the Hanged Man gang. . .a ruthless band roaming the area and responsible for several deaths already. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOpXMixQ2NqyHFm2f-lG723H7kyvlLh1KmfgB3ty3ov9MWZvZfmh3Ghw6xVedojBxRN_DYvwx8YuSdmjN9oswrcKtn1IgGOB7U7Rb811X-1lK0nTKzXTZqztHBAir5Xl_VNKOXfzWIYCs5YPjOPA8cVWCsZ5sui5Da--8wdLe9DONc5mA_otgtflKLbE/s1449/aswa.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1449" data-original-width="970" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOpXMixQ2NqyHFm2f-lG723H7kyvlLh1KmfgB3ty3ov9MWZvZfmh3Ghw6xVedojBxRN_DYvwx8YuSdmjN9oswrcKtn1IgGOB7U7Rb811X-1lK0nTKzXTZqztHBAir5Xl_VNKOXfzWIYCs5YPjOPA8cVWCsZ5sui5Da--8wdLe9DONc5mA_otgtflKLbE/w428-h640/aswa.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We then shift back in time. . .thirty days in the past. </div><div><br /></div><div>We meet banker Lazarus Lane and his lady love Nora Hayes in the peaceful town of Puerta Del Sol, in southern California. But the town's peace is soon shattered by a rowdy gang of outlaws that assault Lane on the street in broad daylight. Later, they rob the bank where Lazarus works. He freezes, unable to draw a pistol and shoot as his friend is killed before his eyes!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNyyKLzRmOKgn45U7sbyC-6QY0ICC5C9pWDqEWwSKKgHkiDEN527ncVqL9LWa6nA9rJU-Hfb-7vSAO41y17MpuKEXJy1hFdxqdLCYe9JQQzE0qWqF5s-ZeHF_3WOsF-HB9TdhJyV5fyq65UTNtWBeW7b83i1L3AbNkjkoQlP2rgSN8ubm_BLzVlaZy3U/s1443/aswb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1443" data-original-width="984" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNyyKLzRmOKgn45U7sbyC-6QY0ICC5C9pWDqEWwSKKgHkiDEN527ncVqL9LWa6nA9rJU-Hfb-7vSAO41y17MpuKEXJy1hFdxqdLCYe9JQQzE0qWqF5s-ZeHF_3WOsF-HB9TdhJyV5fyq65UTNtWBeW7b83i1L3AbNkjkoQlP2rgSN8ubm_BLzVlaZy3U/w436-h640/aswb.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lane is labeled by the entire town as a coward and blamed for the death of his friend. Lazarus seeks solace in the company of his native American friend, Wise Owl, who tells Lane that the Great Spirit gives all men a chance to redeem themselves.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A week later, a country ride with Nora suddenly turns violent as the same gang attacks the two of them. As the outlaws taunt Lane for being a coward, he tries to fight back, but is mysteriously struck down by a bolt of lightning!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The terrified outlaws flee, leaving Lazarus for dead. Nora quickly brings him home, where Wise Owl cares for his friend while Nora rushes to get her father, the local doctor.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTW5pRZOwVBf_l399QV8IIWuFn5eO7QzKE0cT05tCLvas4NIjzvBwaFdPJ1MAYHWaGi8C1FP5AW7y-yNbOnr_X1tS1PLzXcMjs8UfEedRZ__ghygSED-dyWDw3LeoEn8awojB1kJYei7BO740OmCPRJcDObbQyFhFhvoYyIpqn2yIW2dnkBVp4B0Vf7A/s1456/aswc.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1456" data-original-width="987" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTW5pRZOwVBf_l399QV8IIWuFn5eO7QzKE0cT05tCLvas4NIjzvBwaFdPJ1MAYHWaGi8C1FP5AW7y-yNbOnr_X1tS1PLzXcMjs8UfEedRZ__ghygSED-dyWDw3LeoEn8awojB1kJYei7BO740OmCPRJcDObbQyFhFhvoYyIpqn2yIW2dnkBVp4B0Vf7A/w434-h640/aswc.jpg" width="434" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Nora and her father find Lane in some sort of coma. Alive, but nonresponsive, with Wise Owl chanting over him. The doctor is stumped as to how he can help and leaves Lazarus in the care of his native friend.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The days pass, Wise Owl chants and administers concoctions of herbs and roots until days later, Lane wakes from his coma. He tells Wise Owl that he dreamed that he is neither dead or alive now. His body is now host to a strange being that roams the earth while Lane sleeps. A shadow of vengeance and justice called. . .EL DIABLO!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-irB8OUmCF5wLy-T64Io7BhXCpzV0_EfLUr4Hr41GVmORbJQATyl0E7OqoTbmeLfmLz-cXfLdWUwxnVp28wiCMExeEacffcr3Pz4utRpuEhGbjfHwucWgwdeqnxDEs4mMxZBZY8g1vH_e6iDA7n71JDUshDaEfUK8R1-Rz7X6zN6XyP_kNk63CURTOE/s1449/aswd.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1449" data-original-width="996" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-irB8OUmCF5wLy-T64Io7BhXCpzV0_EfLUr4Hr41GVmORbJQATyl0E7OqoTbmeLfmLz-cXfLdWUwxnVp28wiCMExeEacffcr3Pz4utRpuEhGbjfHwucWgwdeqnxDEs4mMxZBZY8g1vH_e6iDA7n71JDUshDaEfUK8R1-Rz7X6zN6XyP_kNk63CURTOE/w440-h640/aswd.jpg" width="440" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That night, at the cabin of the miner saved from an ambush in the prologue, the Hanged Man gang. . .so named because their leader survived a hanging. . .has taken him and his family prisoner. The leader of the gang tells the miner that he is determined to kill everyone who was on the jury that condemned him to death. But in the darkness outside the cabin, the mysterious El Diablo is coming!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpyCx5hbgpdk8aIM_3vjK66AM4opWqQY9bP4jyacYiPZhzDybVUFv_mAXj1ehFGFAcFRSJFZ2rMNemREsDzF1yYu0cPLe-6QsLtgyMIpxXg7yIjtzaWm8OcSoUYYM_aoKLxrhWf2U0DeEmsE9JYyNtjA8ZUl0RvAPawNAqS580663xOGOJCtkKDHDFRg/s1446/aswe.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1446" data-original-width="969" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpyCx5hbgpdk8aIM_3vjK66AM4opWqQY9bP4jyacYiPZhzDybVUFv_mAXj1ehFGFAcFRSJFZ2rMNemREsDzF1yYu0cPLe-6QsLtgyMIpxXg7yIjtzaWm8OcSoUYYM_aoKLxrhWf2U0DeEmsE9JYyNtjA8ZUl0RvAPawNAqS580663xOGOJCtkKDHDFRg/w428-h640/aswe.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The outlaws slowly come to realize that something strange is happening. But by then, it's too late. El Diablo has fought his way through the guards posted and confronts the Hanged Man himself. The outlaw desperately tries to use the miner's daughter as a hostage, but El Diablo attacks with a bolo, wrapping it around the outlaw's neck and hanging him from a post.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjj_YujTcJLauXKdahm-7hXtW3-x-CtjVcKayKSOsnEbt1rUDNN84C1QJ2S0x-dPFiJLJo-mX4rAm-bhbpndeMFDX-RoBG_U2X88Q2EH-e8GFUMnM39n-TOd88FF13VRn7IGckeC_FHMrajGY2_n1L86qfrkdmIKlsWc_z9cjZM8eY5EYZ_PF7gZPx6g0/s1446/aswf.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1446" data-original-width="978" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjj_YujTcJLauXKdahm-7hXtW3-x-CtjVcKayKSOsnEbt1rUDNN84C1QJ2S0x-dPFiJLJo-mX4rAm-bhbpndeMFDX-RoBG_U2X88Q2EH-e8GFUMnM39n-TOd88FF13VRn7IGckeC_FHMrajGY2_n1L86qfrkdmIKlsWc_z9cjZM8eY5EYZ_PF7gZPx6g0/w432-h640/aswf.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The Hanged Man now dead and the miner's family safe, El Diablo silently rides away, back to the home of Lazarus Lane. Wise Owl sees the black rider and tells him that he cannot truly die until he pays what is owed to the Great Spirit. Without answering, El Diablo once again returns to the sleeping body of Lazarus Lane as Wise Owl chants.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQ0k_x2_WCWD6tE7YtAS5CY5udrqxbMvPvt-pPwmQ86DAn6vaRbkhbMmEp4ARgpdYksooqyUDpXh8kD5YJZ6Ya7zI6qHpkGHEhWjkP14uP8OvarnDdqCGSgtrpnkR3Y6_pm4K7J5w-4qniuO-TVioJPeGoAZ_hrc4kPlyBfhC-mfdzvNnBrjVly_O7DI/s1428/aswg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1428" data-original-width="973" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQ0k_x2_WCWD6tE7YtAS5CY5udrqxbMvPvt-pPwmQ86DAn6vaRbkhbMmEp4ARgpdYksooqyUDpXh8kD5YJZ6Ya7zI6qHpkGHEhWjkP14uP8OvarnDdqCGSgtrpnkR3Y6_pm4K7J5w-4qniuO-TVioJPeGoAZ_hrc4kPlyBfhC-mfdzvNnBrjVly_O7DI/w436-h640/aswg.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The End.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">THE REVIEW:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Awww. . .Yeah! The second appearance and origin of El Diablo! What a great idea for a character. Combining gritty western storytelling with the supernatural makes such a fantastic combination, I love it! Once again, Robert Kanigher does not disappoint. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This story has just the right mix of the weird supernatural eeriness and the dirty western feel to hit a spot that not many characters can get to. I REALLY would have liked for this to be an entire issue, because it does seem a little rushed. But other than that, this is a nice little nugget of Longbox Junk gold.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the art side of things, comic legend Gray Morrow gives this tale a dark, moody, gritty look that perfectly matches the story. There are some really great moments for the artist in these panels. . .moments that show why Morrow stands up there with just about any other Bronze Age artist you can think of. Like the first story, it's really the art that makes this special.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">CONCLUSION</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Neal Adams. Robert Kanigher. Gil Kane. Mike Friedrich. Gray Morrow. Just LOOK at those names. LOOK at the talent on this one single comic. How can it NOT be good? There's NO way this comic can't be good. There's Bronze Age greatness on EVERY SINGLE PAGE.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you are looking for a great Bronze Age western comic, look no more. It's right here. More than that, this is just ONE issue of what I consider (in my humble opinion) to be one of the BEST Bronze Age comic series, period. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">I have all the issues of All-Star Western (Yes, even the coveted first and second appearances of Jonah Hex in issues #10 and 11), and page for page, I say that it can stand right up there with ANY Bronze Age comic series in terms of story and talent. And when I say any, I mean ANY. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Once again, just look at the names behind this ONE issue. And THEN add in Carmine Infantino, Tony DeZuniga, Jim Aparo, Gardner Fox, Joe Kubert, Joe Orlando, Dick Giordano, Gerry Conway, Frank Frazetta, Sergio Aragones, Denny O'Neil, and more! All in ELEVEN ISSUES!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">If that's not pure comic gold, I don't know what is. If that's not pure comic gold, NOTHING is.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you enjoy gritty western stories, then this entire short series (it was renamed Weird Western Tales and went on for 60 more issues) is for you. Some of the individual issues ARE a bit pricey and you're not gonna find these in the bargain bin (The mentioned #10 and #11, first and second appearances of Jonah Hex, are the most pricy of the bunch). Fortunately, all the issues have been reprinted in various Showcase editions.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Overall, great issue. Great series. Highly recommended.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Up Next. . .</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">It's almost time for the annual October Longbox Junk Halloween Horror festival!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">But not quite yet. There's still time for another random grab before I get into the spooky stuff.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Be there or be square!</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Atomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07048497340899834399noreply@blogger.com0