Bad Girls # 4

Writer: Steve Vance
Artist: Christine Norrie
Cover : Darwyn Cooke
Publisher: DC
Published: January 2004

I have no idea what this series is about, and starting at issue # 4 of 5 is not the best way to get what it is all about. I only picked it up because it was $1 and the cover was by Darwyn Cooke. Here's a link to a review of issue # 1.

Tek Jansen # 3

Writer: John Layman & Tom Peyer, Jim Massey
Artist: Robbi Rodriguez
Cover: Darwyn Cooke
Publisher: Oni Press
Published: September 2008

Issue # 3 has Tek Jansen (Stephen Colbert's Sci-Fi alter ego) furthering his war against the sinister Opticlons! This is about the only series that has consistently made me chuckle aloud.

Think he saw that one coming?

Daughters of the Dragon # 1 of 6

Writer: Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray
Artist: Khari Evans
Publisher: Marvel
Published: March 2006

Running a bit behind...Daughters of the Dragon has Colleen Wing & Misty Knight working as bailbondswomen. However some of their clients (see below), end up stealing from someone they shouldn't steal from, and Misty and Colleen are forced to clean up the mess.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles # 42: Juliet's Revenge

Writer: Rick McCollum
Artist: Bill Anderson
Publisher: Mirage
Published: December 1991

What do Mr. Howard, Bruce Lee, Mae West, Leonardo, Edgar Allan Poe, and the ninja turtles have in common?

This comic!

That's right, all these fantastic figures make a guest appearance in this issue, making this a star studded comic not seen since the Avengers assembled to battle some powerful earth shattering thing-a-majigy.

If you want to know more, T.S. I'm tired.

How come Donnie gets all the babes?

And what's her deal?

Leonard Nimoy

Writer: Schnakenberg
Artist: Nora Tapp
Cover Artist: Robert A. Herrera
Publisher: Celebrity Comics
Published: August 1992

This is from the Celebrity Comics line. Although they are called comics, in actuality they are unauthorized biographies with some illustrations. Here's a line from the biography. It is in reference to Nimoy hitting pay dirt after directing Three Men and a Baby: "He and Susan spent the rest of the year counting their wad at their estate in San Fernando Valley." Nice. I can picture Spock surrounded by wads of cash, decked in a fur coat, his chest encrusted in gold chains, smoking a cigar while Susan is lounging on his arm complaining: "Spockie-baby, why can't we go out tonight?" whereupon Spock responds "Not tonight, I got an appointment with Kirk honey bunny."

Return of the Jedi # 2

Adapted: Archie Goodwin
Story: George Lucas
Art: Al Williamson & Carlos Garzon
Publisher: Marvel
Published: November 1983

Ever seen Star Wars: Return of the Jedi? Well heres's the comic version condensed into 4 parts. It has a cool cover and awesome artwork. Good enough for me.

The Bitter Truth: Star Trek destroys Star Wars...then again if Star Trek had more light sabers...oh...now it's complicated...

UPDATE: June 13 2010 Al Williamson passed away. RIP - your work is a testament to spectacular craftsmanship.

Justice League America # 34: "Island Life" AKA "Club JLI"

Creators: Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis, Adam Hughes, Art Nichols, Bob Lappan, Gene D'Angelo, Kevin Dooley, and Andy Helfer
Publisher: DC
Pulblished: 1989

Booster Gold and Blue Beetle empty the JLA coffers and front a casino, with the two of them acting as the superhero attraction. F that saving people stuff - lets make some $$$$! The two think they're onto the perfect plan, however a couple of monkey wrenches are going to be tossed their way: a monster old as time who doesn't take kindly to casinos, and a card counter who also doesn't take too kindly to casinos.

Marvel Comics Presents # 88: Wolverine

Writers: Peter David, Various
Artists: Sam Kieth, Various
Publisher: Marvel
Published: 1991

Growing up this was (and still is) one of my favorite Wolverine stories. It has everything: Wolvie getting beating up, Madripoor, a tough son of a b*tch villain, Tiger Tyger, and hot dog cars. This run also introduced me to Sam Kieth. Lately he has been doing a bunch of work on Batman, but it was Wolverine work that really put him over the top. Kieth deliviered one of the hariest, beastly Wolverines I've yet seen. This ain't no Hugh Jackman.

Wolverine has just been beaten, bad, by Cyber. Cyber is able to deliver hallucinogens via his toxin tipped fingernails. Issue 88 opens with Wolverine in a lot of pain, and the hallucinogens kicking in. He is relieving the moments when he first met Cyber. Wolvie is in school, and is not to pleased with Coach Cyber. Seems the coach has made the moves on his girl Janet. Too Bad for Wolvie that Coach Cyber has got a bigger sausage...car. Looks like the two are going to have a wiener show down.

Mr. Monster # 1: Origins

Writer/Artist: Michael T. Gilbert
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Published: February 1988

Another kick ass cover! Equal parts Batman-esque jumbled up with a fish creature dealio. The story revolves around Mister Monster losing the love of his life due to the demands of killing monsters. In the issue he uses a homemade flamethrower. Can't beat that.

WildC.A.T.S X-Men: The Modern Age 3D

Writer: James Robinson
Artist/Inker: Adam Hughes/Mark Farmer
Colorists: Joe Chiodo & Martin Jimenez
3D Conversion: Ray Zone
Publisher: Marvel
Published: November 1997

This was the comic that I found for $0.25 that had the long sought after 3D glasses. I just got to reading it. The story is decent. The X-Men and the Wildcats folk infiltrate a rogue Hellfire sect. The leader of the Hellfire sect is trying to summon the power of a demon to work for him. However, the X-Men and Wildcats put a quick stop to that. Not more complicated than that.

The 3D effects are good too. The issue is devised by adding a red and blue tint, which allows the reader (with the help of the glasses) to see a three dimensional image. Monsters vs. Aliens in 3D does this same thing, but instead of using the red and blue channels, they use twin projectors which create the same effect. It's pretty frickin' cool! This leads to a crystal clear image with eye poppin' visuals! Go see it!!!

Spider-Man the Manga # 3

Writer/Artist: Ryoichi Ikegami
Translators: Mutsumi Masuda & C.B. Cebulski
Publisher: Marvel
Published: January 1998

The manga version of Spider-Man is pretty cool. It sticks fairly close to the Spider-man ethos. Peter Parker is Yu Komari. In issue # 3 Komari is lamenting his latest defeat at the electric hands of Electro. Meanwhile, Electro is realizing that his lust for money carries a larger price tag then he could ever imagine.


Classic Peter Parker Manga style:
Electro paying the impossible price:
Classic Spider-Man Remorse:

At my old job I met a customer named Peter Parker. When I asked his name he said his first name no problem, but then slightly mumbled his last name. I never said a word. After we were done talking, I kinda felt bad for the guy. He has to live with the name of one of the most famous fictional characters in comic history. However, unlike his comic alter ego, this guy doesn't get to be Spider-Man on the side, swinging from building to building, saving lives, and bringing joy to people. Oh well, I'm sure at the end of the day he'll be alright. Hell, maybe his nickname is Spidey. I can see this guy being good on the bb court. He'd be blasting through defenses, rebounding like a mad nun, and scoring 3 pointers left right and center, all the while, the crowd is shouting: "Go Spidey! Go Spidey!" Yeah, this Peter Parker will be alright.

Billy Batson & The Magic of Shazam! # 4

Writer/Artist: Mike Kunkel
Publisher: DC
Published: April 2009

Today's issue is dedicated to the most dreaded of feelings a comic collector can experience: jumping on the bandwagon once the bandwagon is gone. By this I mean, picking up a comic series that looks just awesome and you know is going to be awesome, but you're starting at the last issue.

I picked up Bill Batson and the Magic of Shazam! on issue # 4, and I don't dare read it until I have the first three. Only problem with this, is that the last three have long since exited Peterborough shops. I'm going to have to head to Toronto, cross my fingers, and hope that one of the multitude of shops down there will have them. Or I'm going to look to the internet and shell out the cash and pay the ridiculous shipping fees. Or worse, wait 10 months for the collected edition. Anyway, check some scans. It looks like (and I hope) it is going to be a great read.

Time Warp # 5

Writers/Artists: Various
Publisher: DC
Published: July 1980

Time Warp was a 5 issue mini series. Each issue was a collection of sci-fi stories. Issue # 5 has a number of stories, ranging from time travel, transformations, suspense, love, and so on...One particular story that stands out is "Vengeance of C-92" by Arnold Drake and Vicatan. The story opens with Dr. Logan being hired to assist Barney Goffs run his super computer, C-92, which is programmed to run the North American continent.


Barney Goffs is so caught up with C-92, it is common knowledge the computer is like his son. However, after Dr. Logan has started work, Barney Goffs mind starts to stray:


But it would seem during his neglect towards C-92 he has also neglected Dr. Logan:



SHAZAM! (That one's for the ladies).

However, C-92, doesn't take to kindly to Barney's attention to Dr. Logan, so it tries to kill him with suck power!


But of course, Barney isn't just a wizard scientist, but and ASS-KICKIN' wizard scientist...

...who now has to live with the pain of killing his only son!


So, take heed: hell have no fury like a super computer scorned!