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.

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!!!

Spookgirl # 4: Chinese Daydream & Trip Out

Writer/Artist: Macropoulos
Publisher: Slave Labor Graphics
Published: November 2000

Ladies Night # 4 (No, I did not choose this issue on purpose - pure coincidence it's number 4!)

Issue # 4 has our lady Trixie attempting to reclaim a lost bit of her childhood. She remembers an old Chinese fairy tale: an old man kept his childhood memories in a flask. He believed these secrets had wonderful meanings, and so he meditated atop a mountain, until his younger self disappeared, and all he had left was an empty flask.

Deep.


Trixie revisits this mountain, is kicked out by some Tikis, eats a hallucinogenic plumb, and meets a strange visitor.


"Trixie will be the first to believe that their really is a monster under your bed." - Spookgirl # 4

Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight # 54

Writers: Mike Mignola, Dan Raspler
Artist: Mike Mignola
Publisher: DC
Published: November 1993

This comic rocks. To cut to the chase its Lovecraft meets Batman, as only Mignola can produce. The story/art is just awesome. The only complaint I have is that Batman kills in self-defense. Batman doesn't kill. That's his thing. So, even when he kills in self-defense I can't help but feel uneasy about this. I know it's a grey area, but I figure of all people, it would be Batman who could figure out a way not to kill in self-defense. Anyway, that's time! Pick this comic up. It's probably one of Mignolas best looking comics ever.

Love Diary

Writers/Artists: unknown but the cover has Dick Giordano credited
Publisher: Charlton Comics
Published: November 1962

One day before V-Day!

Here's an oldie. This issue has a few tales with very little differences between plot: couple fall in love, try to solidify their love but are stopped either by doubt, fear, parents, or circumstance, but in the end get together. Check some scans and you'll see what I mean:


What I don't get about these old romance stories is the preoccupation with depicting vanilla love. Why are all the characters white? Don't get me wrong here, I'm no racist (that I know of anyway), but I think it is a bit limiting that the characters don't mix it up as it were. That's one thing that always bugged me about the Archie comics. Archie could chase after Midge, Veronica, Cheryl or Betty, but Chuck could only chase after Nancy.

This exact situation reminds me of when I saw Snake and Joey from Degrassi the TV show giving a talk at UNB. I remember them saying that when the show started to air the show down in the USA, the number one complaint from parents were not the episodes concerning suicide, abortion, or so on, but when BLT dated Michelle, because he was black and she was white.

Well, I guess that's just another aspect of love: stupidity.

Batman Adventures # 2

Writer: Kelley Puckett
Artist: Ty Templeton
Publisher: DC
Published: November 1992

Da na na na na na na na - BATMAN!

Batman Gotham Adventures # 2 has ol' Bats protecting the crown jewels from the clutches of Catwoman. Joker encourages Catwoman to rob Queen Victoria's Crown Jewels, but Batman is on the case. The issue ends with Batman figuring out Catwoman's plan and foiling it...of course...

...but don't think Catwoman didn't get a few jabs in herself. See for yourself:

Also, what's the deal with Catwoman being blond? I don't know why, but I find that almost as odd as Loki being a female in the new Thor series. It's just weird...

Clive Barker's Night Breed # 21

Writer: Nicholas Vince
Artist: Colleen Doran
Publisher: EPIC comics
Published: November 1992

Over a 100 comics down, and in my quest to find unique (or at least different comics) I haven't had much of a problem in reading an issue midway through a series and not being too baffled. However, today I read Cliver Barker's Night Breed # 21, and I must admit I am completely lost as to what the hell is going on.

Sometimes when we touch, the honesty's too much
I've read some Clive Barker novels, and I've seen at least 4 Hellraiser films, so I kinda know what Barker is all about: magic, different realms, sex, gore, names I can't pronounce, and horrific creatures. I figured this knowledge would transfer over to this read, and in some ways it does. Night Breed has got all these elements, but that's about as much as I've picked up on. So not to belabor the point, I have no idea what is going on this story, so I'm just going to post some scans.

l-l-l-lazy eye!

Mad House # 96

Writers: Marvin Channing, Bruce Jones, John Jacobson
Artists: Sal Amendola, Jesse Santos, Bruce Jones
Publisher: Red Circle Productions
Published: November 1974

Back to business eh? Hell Yeah! Speaking of Hell, I picked up this gem of an issue. Mad House # 96 (number of a beast, but not the beast) has a few tales of high interest. Never Bother A Dead Man concerns a local funeral parlor and it's keeper being attacked by a local gang. Little does the gang leader realize, but he's picked the wrong house of dead people to terrorize. Sounds cool right? Well it is cool, sort of. The gang leader is literally scared to death when he is grabbed by a dead guy still undergoing rigamortis.

Demon Kiss is the best of the bunch, which has a young wannabe actress selling her soul to the devil for a major studio part. The only catch is, if she doesn't kiss someone within a year's time she will lose her soul. What fascinates me with these types of tales is that the characters bargaining with the devil always want superfluous shit. Yeah yeah, I know that's the moral of these stories: your soul is always the most valuable thing you have, but I would like to see someday somebody selling their soul for something great, like world peace, or even a better soul. You know what I mean, one of those souls that is so great it makes other people feel worse just to be around them...fuck I hate those type people.

The third tale is about a young witch foiling her coven's plan to summon a demon when she orders them at gun point to resurrect her dead husband. Upon his resurrection, she instantly offers to make him a meal. I just hope she plans on making him a meal of evil and barley, as her husband is not who she thinks he is - he's a fucking demon - GET OUT OF THE HOUSE!!!

Finally the last tale has a dog cursed by a gypsy woman killing its owners by pushing them down stairs. Bit of a let down considering the the caliber of the other tales, but it did satisfy my appetite for dogs murdering people in a no-nonsense manner. This dog must be Cujo's older, more responsible brother, the one that calls home every week to check up on the family gossip and bills.

Oz the Manga # 6

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:

Marvel Wizard of Oz
Avengers Fairy Tales # 4
Futurama Season 4 Episode 3: Anthology of Interest 2
Twisted Land of Oz
Wicked
Wizard of Oz 1982 cartoon
Oz no Mahou Tsukai
Family Guy Wizard of Oz

Army of Darkness # 1

Writers: Sam and Ivan Raimi
Adapted By/Artist: John Bolton
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Published: November 1992

Army of Darkness is the third installment of Raimi's Evil Dead series, starring the one and only Bruce Campbell. The comic edition is a faithful adaptation. The story is pretty much exactly the same, with the dialogue taken straight from the film. It has all the best quotes, such as:

Ash's response to Henry the Red: "You ain't leadin' but two things right now, pal: Jack and shit, and Jack left town."

Ash's new mechanical hand crushing the goblet: "Groovy"

Ash's oh so romantic chat: "Gimme some sugar baby."

And finally the BOOMSTICK quote.

Beyond the quotes, the artwork is beautifully rendered. John Bolton is able to capture the exact likeness of Campbell and crew, and the Deadites are a joy to see.

Click this link for a Dead by Dawn music video. Warning: contains scenes of gruesomeness.

All Star Superman # 1

Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Frank Quitely
Colorist: Jamie Grant
Publisher: DC
Published: November 2005

This is Morrison's definitive take on the Man of Steel. In 12 issues alone, Morrison is able to deliver all the greatest elements of Superman. Everything from the bumbling Clark Kent, his folks, Lois Lane, Bizarro, Krypto, and even Joe Shuster are present. All Star Superman is absolutely amazing as far as I'm concerned.

Issue 1 begins the end of Superman. Dr. Leo Quintum and his team of scientists are trying to capture a bit of the sun. Their exposition is sabotaged by a clone of Lex Luthor, which will soon destroy their vessel and them. Thankfully, Superman races to the rescue, defeats the clone, and brings home Quintum and his team. However, after the rescue Superman is diagnosed with one year left to live. Since Superman is a living solar panel, during his rescue mission he was over exposed to the Sun's radiation. This overdose of radiation has provided Superman with increased strength and additional powers, but also ensuring his cells a slow death. Let the awesomeness begin.