Publisher: Western Publishing Company Published: October 1976
W is for wacky, as in how wacky is it that this issue of Gold Key Spotlight doesn't have an artist or writer? Yeah - wacky!
This issue has Wacky Witch up to all sorts of hex-jinks. The first tale has her magic-ing up a scepter that will punish the bad and spoil the good. The scepter ends up doing the reverse, with the good getting powder and the bad getting gold coins. She ends up replacing the coins with tar and feathers, so the bad guys get what's coming to them....
Ok here's the deal. I'm a bit tired today, and I'm starting to hit the "wall" when it comes to reviewing these comics. However, I will soldier on, but for today's comic, I found that the advertisements were more interesting than the stories. Since I can't determine the writer/artist, I don't feel too bad that I'm going to bypass their work to post the ads. Enjoy!
Writer: Jonathan Vankin Artist: Seth Fisher Colorist: Chris Chuckry Publisher: Vertigo Published: September 2002
V is for Vertigo. Pop! goes the weasel.
Vertigo Pop! Tokyo concerns a group of characters who by destiny and chance meet and are soon caught up in the bizarre world of gangsters and pop music. Ryuji-Kun is a newly accepted gangster who just doesn't seem to fit into the seamy world of crime. Steve moved to Tokyo so he could "buy cool shit" as he puts it. Maki-Chan dreams of being a star, and she'll do what it takes to be just that.
Issue one has Steve being arrested because the police assume he is using counterfeit phone cards. Maki-Chan rescues the poor boy so she can practice her english. Meanwhile Ryuji-Kun is ordered on a very special task for the Yakuza. The issue ends with the three of them meeting up at the "One Six Seven" concert, as Maki-Chan uses Steve (Steve is pretending to be a foreign journalist) to get backstage to meet the lead singer Hike. At this point Steve and Maki-Chan meet Ryuji-Kun as he plans to cut up Hike. Ooohhh....tense!
What makes this series standout is the artwork and little insights into Japanese culture. Seth Fisher (RIP) was a fantastic artist. His artwork is like a sushi roll, detailed, compact, cute, slightly absurd, and obsessive. The story by Vankin has all the elements of a tamed down Tarantino film. The characters are off beat, hailing from niche sub-cultures, each on the road to something only they can understand and want. Vertigo Pop! Tokyo is a must read for any Fisher fans or people who just like to read stories about Japan.
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis Artist: Mark Bagley Publisher: Marvel Published: October 2001
U is for Ultimate Power with Ultimate Responsibility.
Two Spider-Man reviews in a week. I know - amazing...but not spectacular. Issue 12 has Spider-Man infiltrating Kingpins headquarters to retrieve some recorded video of a recent murder. During the daring heist, Spider-man is forced to take out Electro and the Enforcers, and ultimately, the Kingpin.
See what I did there...I wrote a review in less than 30 seconds. It's my ode to the 30 second review. That, and I got plans tonight. Getting drunk tonight! Kidding...I take that back.
Writers: Mark Bode, Kevin Eastman Artist: Mark Bode Publisher: Mirage Studios Published: December 1990
T is for "Thank You Bruce Lee 4 Fighting For The Little Guy Everywhere."
As all you Bruce Lee fans are aware, today is the day the Little Dragon was birthed into life, November 27 1940. He would have been 68 years old today, and would have probably been in better shape than I'll ever be. Happy Birthday Bruce!
The reason I chose TMNT today was because it started with the letter T and the issue is dedicated to Bruce Lee. The whole premise of the issue is pretty much a homage to all of the Bruce Lee flicks. The story begins with the turtles visiting China, and while waiting for some food, the restaurant is attacked by some goons. The goons work for a corrupt business man who's plan is to take over all the restaurants and food related businesses.
One restaurant, Hu-Shan's, isn't willing to sell, and so is being terrorized to no end. The turtles end up beating up the goons, and at this point, Chang Lee enters the scene. He is there to visit his uncle. The goons show up again, but this time it's Lee who does the ass kicking. The bad guys are desperate at this point, so they hire Buff Nordick, a renowned tough martial artist, who just so happens to hate turtles with a passion (due to a childhood trauma).
So if anyone has seen any Bruce Lee films, well it is fairly obivous how this one ends. If you haven't seen any of these flicks, do yourself a favor, and check em' out.
This was a great issue from the first page to the last. Mark Bode is a great artist, and I would be amiss to say he hasn't inherited his fathers artistic style. His work on this issue is perfect for TMNT because he is able to infuse the absurd with intense action. As for his depiction of Bruce Lee, lets just say there are a lot of Lee inspired comics out there, but his rendition is definitely one of the best.
Writer/Artist: Chris Giarrusso
Publisher: Marvel
Published: May 2003
S is for Spidey!
I haven't reviewed any Spider-Man comics since I started my 365 run, and so today I end this Spider-man drought, once and for all! LET THERE BE SPIDER-MAN! or in today's case, SPIDEY!
Ain't he cute!
You know it.
This amazing first issue has Spidey competing with Venom to see who will get the honor of delivering Daily Bugle papers to the Osborn household. The two of them are forced to compete in an obstacle course, but neither are willing to do so, and so the J. Jonah Jameson is forced to decide for them...with dire consequences for the nefarious Goblin father/son duo.
The second tale of this spectacular issue concerns Wolverines quest for his favorite breakfast cereal, X-Crunch. He visits the local superstore, but is accused of stealing by management - poor little guy! Upon leaving the store, he is tackled by Sabertooth and Toad. Wolverine is assisted by the mother of a bear cub (he rescued the bear cub earlier in the ish), and the battle is concluded as Sabertooth and Toad are sent flying by mother bear wielding a golf club. The tale ends with Wolvie sitting down to a much earned breakfast, only to have his cereal end up on the ground, due to an earlier dispute between his claws and the table leg. Can't Marvel cut Wolvie a break once and a while?
What I find interesting is the love/hate thing Wolvie has got going with bears. When he's a mini, he's all about saving them, but when he's older, Wolvie's all about eatin' em (see Marvel Comics Presents issue 54 & 55). What happened? I'm thinking a limited edition series, consisting of 8 issues written by Kevin Smith, spaced out over 3 years, of Wolverine versus the bears. Shit, know what the reminds me of?...
Well I'm gonna tell ya!
In the movie, The Golden Compass, there is one helluva bear fight.
Writer: Frank Miller, Steven Grant Artist: Juan Jose Ryp Publisher: Avatar Press Published: July 2003
R is for aRibaderchi to criminal scum.
This was Frank Miller's story for the sequel to RoboCop. Like most things in Hollywood it fell through. HOWEVER, us comic folk are left with this adapted version. Initial thoughts: "Gee willikers is RoboCop violent!"
Issue one sets the stage. The cops are on strike, and the media is having a field day reporting on the chaos of the city. The commercials are super-sexed advertisements for a world that doesn't exist. The commercials kinda remind me of Total Recall or Running Man, where the reality on TV is a glossed up illusion, and real life is far from. The city is going to hell, and only the most dedicated cops are on patrol. One of those dedicated cops is RoboCop, and he ain't taking no shit, strike or no strike. Issue one has him rescuing a kidnapped girl, and then storming an illegal child slave ring. The issue ends with RoboCop being forced to choose between killing himself or having a child die in his stead.
Deep stuff. Sort of.
Strictly on a first issue read only, I can see the Millerisms spring forth: city gone horribly bad, lone figure who holds back the darkness, and the self-obsessed media who reports on the madness. If anyone knows Miller, these same themes are straight out of Dark Knight Returns. The only difference I can tell is that the scenes of violence are extremely more graphic, kids as victims are amped, and the level of sex appeal is increased, (but not in a titillating manner - more the overly exaggerated manner to highlight how silly it all is). Overall, I would only recommend this series for Miller or RoboCop fans, of folks who just like it when things go boom, splat, and "IT'S FUCKING ROBOCOP! SHIT, WE'RE FUCKED!"
Writer: Mark Gruenwald Artist: Mike Manley Colorist: Paul Becton Publisher: Marvel Published: May 1990
Q is for the Cosmic Avenger! Quasar.
Quasar is like a cosmic dude. He has bands about his wrist that lets him emit cosmic energy, which he can manipulate and control. He is on a quest to stalk down all the threats to Eon, who is a giant floating head with a big eye where its eye would normally be. I know, bizarre.
Issue 10 has Quasar tying up Halflife (an illegal extraterresital) with her own hip high leather boots. Later Quasar is kidnapped in his sleep by two Kree scientists who want to exploit the power in his bands for their mass eugenics program to save the Kree empire. Dr. Minerva, the female scientist was originally sent to Earth to mate with Captain Mar-vell, because the Kree people had hit a genetic dead end. She failed at her task (due to Mar-vell's death), was later made super via a radiation ray, and then she met her fellow Kree scientist. The issue ends with Quasar escaping his captors, and along the way rescuing her Kree partner who had been sucked in space after a battle gone awry with Quasar. Quasar wishes them luck in mating. THE END.
Less than inspiring, I know, but it had some neat artwork, and it did involve mating for the good of the Kree population.
Writer/Artist: Harrison Cady Publisher: Eternity Comics Published: April 1990
P is for perplexed at how difficult it is to find 3-D glasses in Peterborough! I found this 3-D comic of Peter Rabbit in a 25 cent bin, and instantly knew it was going to be awesome (which it is), but it didn't come with 3-D glasses. At first, I visited Michaels (a chain art supply store) to get the material to make my own, but was told, not politely either, they didn't carry red or blue film. I then went to a few toy and book stores and was told no as well. Damn, I thought! What kinda world do we live in where a guy can't get his 3-D on!
I eventually ended up finding them in the same bin that I found the Peter Rabbit issue. They were included in a special 3-D Wildcats/X-Men crossover issue, illustrated by Adam Hughes. Now, considering how difficult it was to find them, I'm never going to give them up. (Click the link - you know what it is and you know you want to!) Much to my disappointment, they don't really work with the 3rd Rock From the Sun 3-D episodes. I think for that type of 3-D I need the clear type lenses. Thus the search begins again!
Apparently, Peter Rabbit didn't just come from the mind of Beatrix Potter. Another Peter Rabbit existed who was more of a trickster, unlike his coat-less counterpart. This Peter Rabbit was created by Thornton Burgess in 1914 and was later adapted to newspaper format by Harrison Cady.
The 3-D version is just that, reprints of the old Sunday strips, but this time in 3-D! Now, most kids think that 3-D is lame, what with all the special effects of the howizts an' whatszits, but this comic really benifits from it. It's almost like Peter Rabbit is leaping off the page! (Had too...)
One particularly funny tale has Peter Rabbit reading up a book called "How to become a Detective." After reading it he becomes inspired to sleuth out some crimes. He ends up following two suspicious characters, a turtle and snail. They seem to be poking something in a tree. Peter, deciding he has caught them in a crime, jumps out and exclaims: "Villains, I've got you at last." At this point, the turtle orders the snail to hide in his shell as he is going to "swat her." By "her" he means a hornets nest! Peter ends up being stung all over as the turtle and snail watch peacefully in their shells. Now, I can't even begin to tell you how awesome that is, but let's just say: "Awesome" - and in 3-D!
Writer: Frank L. Baum Adaptation/Artist: David Hutchison Publisher: Antartic Press Published: November 2005
O is for the Oz's wonderful Wicked Witch of the West!
This is another purchase of mine that was based solely on the cover. That and it's a manga of Wizard of Oz. I've have this strong passion for re-inventions of pop culture staples, such as the Wizard of Oz. That, and I just love seeing babes all painted up green. Hey, once again, I'm not being sexist. My girlfriend once put on this green face mask to rejuvenate her skin, and I must admit, it was kinda sexy, especially when she ordered her winged monkeys to tear our neighbors scarecrow to pieces. Eee hee hee...
Issue 6 has Dorthy being captured by the winged monkeys and forced to work in the Wicked Witch's castle. This is because she won't give up her silver slippers. Meanwhile, the cowardly lion is being starved. The issue ends with Dorthy, at her breaking point, tossing water on the witch, whereupon she melts into nothingness.
The OZ manga sticks pretty close to the original story. The only differences is the emphasis on manga style drawing, you know, girls with big eyes, evil pointy faces, and a big robot (Tin Man). If you're interested in other Wizard of the Oz adaptions check out:
In case you haven't guessed, I am of Chinese descent. But before you go on to think this post is going to turn into a cry fest over racial injustices, think again, because the NEXT 5 POSTS ARE GOING TO DETAIL MAJOR AND MINOR RACIAL INJUSTICES I'VE HAD TO ENDURE OVER THE YEARS!
Just kidding! The only way I'm ever going to dish out that pain is if I'm getting paid to do it. Man's gotta pay da bills so, MONEY, THAT'S WHAT I WANT!
But to answer any questions that I may have brought up during that little glimpse into my past, I'm not really bothered by the whole dead Chinese building railroad thing being quoted towards me repeatedly. Chinese folks are on the upswing, so don't worry, revenge is on its way.
Ok, moving along now. The Nitro comic is pretty much the Heritage Moment expanded a bit. The comic has a bit more grumbling by local workers complaining about the Chinese immigrants, and a bit more on the families the Chinese workers left behind to work in Canada. The comic is nicely painted and definitely delivers the same message it's TV counterpart does.
Also, for anybody who has ever wondered why Chinese immigrants tend to live in communities called "Chinatown," and tended to be owners of restaurants, nail shops, laundry mats, it has nothing to do with "that's just the way they're inclined," but everything to do with immigration laws and the need for self-preservation. Without getting into too much historical record, on July 1st 1923, the Canadian government banned Chinese immigration. This was the only law to exclude people on the basis of race. For the next 24 years, Chinese immigration was next to nil. This destroyed many families and peoples lives and because of this blatant discrimination, Chinese turned to self-employment options, such as restaurants and laundry mats, and began to form communities of their own. Really, it was the only way they could survive.
So, if you're as outraged/saddened as I am over this injustice in Canadian history, next time you're out on Canada Day busting a beer down your gut, take a moment and pour some on the ground for the Chinese and every mile of that railroad track.
Publisher: Western Publishing Company
This issue has Wacky Witch up to all sorts of hex-jinks. The first tale has her magic-ing up a scepter that will punish the bad and spoil the good. The scepter ends up doing the reverse, with the good getting powder and the bad getting gold coins. She ends up replacing the coins with tar and feathers, so the bad guys get what's coming to them....
