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Thursday, August 25, 2011

comic reviews 8/26/11

My View
David LeBlanc
ComicBkNet@aol.com

David LeBlanc was the Editor of the Comic Book Network Electronic Magazine for
over ten years. He is a life-long fan of comics and moderated online comic book
forums long before the Internet became the place to be. David works part-time at
That's Entertainment, the Eisner-winning comic store in Worcester, MA.


REVIEWS

The comics reviewed are chosen by David not by That's Entertainment management
or staff. The opinions expressed are his alone. If you have an opposing view you
are welcome to respond to David directly by Email at the address above.


Title: INVINCIBLE IRON MAN
Issue Number: 507
Title Story: Fog of War
Title Arc: Fear Itself
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Matt Fraction
Artist: Salvador Larroca
Colors: Frank D'Armata
Letters: Joe Caramagna
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero



As FEAR ITSELF is getting closer to the end I decided to look in on Iron Man to
see how his part may be crucial to the resolution. While fighting the Grey
Gargoyle in Paris Tony incurred damage to his repulsor implant and had to fly
home for life-saving repairs. Pepper Potts, who is now the armored hero Rescue,
flew in to take his place only to be met with the heavily armored Hammer mech
corps. Tony has now gone to Asgard to petition Odin to let him build weapons
that can tilt the balance in the war. As a sacrifice to Odin, Tony drank an
entire bottle of liquor thereby giving up his years of sobriety and self-
discipline. Odin granted his request and Tony is now working in the forges of
Svartalfheim with the dwarves that work the forges. The idea is to infuse the
armor with Uru blessed by Odin giving Tony a fighting chance. But it is only
well into the process when Tony finds out the next price to pay. While this is
going on he mingles, drinks and fights with the dwarves not knowing that one of
them is a secret agent for the forces of the Serpent who are planning their own
construct with Tony's unwitting help. Meanwhile Pepper has her hands full
fending off Natasha Hammer and her crew as well as the Grey Gargoyle. The two
plots are easy enough to follow even this late in the story. It certainly is a
landmark event in the life of Tony Stark. I guess is one of those "nothing will
ever be the same" moments Marvel likes to brag about. It will be more
interesting when the dust clears after FEAR ITSELF concludes to see what kind of
man Tony has become and whether he can recover from it. The story continues into
FEAR ITSELF #6 and based on this issue it will be worth following.

Title: FLASHPOINT: LEGION OF DOOM
Issue Number: 3 (of 3)
Title Story: Streets of Fire
Title Arc: Flashpoint
Publisher: DC
Writer: Adam Glass
Artist: Rodney Buchemi
Inker: Jose Marzan Jr.
Colors: Artur Fujita
Letters: Dave Sharpe
Cover Artist: Miguel Sepulveda & Jose Villarrubia
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero


This mini-series is pretty much self-contained. It is set in the world of
FLASHPOINT but the events as they wrap up this issue have little to do with the
worldwide conflict or its resolution. Having said that, this is a very good
story that has more than expected entertainment value and a really nifty
conclusion. The Queens Row Penitentiary is an undersea prison for hard-core
villains that only surfaces when new prisoners are being interred. The first two
issues follow Heatwave who becomes a prisoner after a failed attempt to takeover
the Firestorm powers. He is now devoted to destroying the premier hero of this
altered timeline, Cyborg. To do that, he devised an elaborate plan with the help
of the not entirely altruistic Plastic Man. They and others succeed in taking
over the prison and as this issue opens Heatwave is flying on a collision course
with Detroit, Cyborg's base of operations. The thought of killing thousands of
innocents is too much for Plastic Man but Heatwave was prepared for this to
happen as well. In the end it will be Cyborg versus Heatwave in a final fight.
The action is non-stop and the art is perfect for the story. I mentioned a nifty
ending and it is too good to give away. As I said it has no bearing on the main
story of the FLASHPOINT war or the aftermath. However, it is a fun story that
deserves to be read from the start for maximum impact of the ending. I enjoyed
it a lot.

Title: FLASHPOINT: THE OUTSIDER
Issue Number: 3 (of 3)
Title Story: Men from Space
Title Arc: Flashpoint
Publisher: DC
Writer: James Robinson
Artist: Javi Fernandez
Colors: The Hories
Letters: Dave Sharpe
Cover Artist: Kevin Nowlan
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero


Unlike LEGION OF DOOM this title dos have some bearing and intersections with
the main event. This is because the title character is very unique, created
specifically for FLASHPOINT and will no doubt play into the resolution of the
main plot in some manner. In fact, I would not be a bit surprised if the
Outsider surfaced at some point in the new DC Universe, as he is a great
character. He is by no means a hero. He is very intelligent, nearly
indestructible with rock like skin and he is ruthless in his actions to get what
he wants. He is not above sacrificing his own minions or destroying those who
get in his way. He is in pursuit of another new character that has the power to
generate unlimited power - something Outsider wants for his own use. He has
stayed out of the main battle, turning down Cyborg's request to help stop the
war. He profits from dealing with both sides but has recently found out someone
on one-side wants him dead. As such they have used the Martian Manhunter in this
last chapter of the series. In this world The Outsider had managed to capture
J'onn after he was initially teleported to Earth. He eventually sold the Martian
to the Russians and began developing uses for Dr. Erdell's technology. This
chapter is mostly flashback to those events and J'onn's experiences and eventual
escape. At the end of issue #2 the two meet again in Kahndaq in the castle of
the deceased Black Adam. J'onn relates how he and Black Adam escaped from the
Russians and how the Martian turned on and defeated Black Adam in a unique way.
J'onn reveals that one side of the war hired him to kill the Outsider and the
fight is on. The second half is all actions with one combatant victorious. Like
Legion of Doom the end play of the Outsider is very unique and wraps up the
series rather nicely. However the story of the Outsider will conclude in
FLASHPOINT #5. If you like the main book and want to get the full impact of this
character in the main story I suggest you read this series. It is well worth it.

Title: DC RETROACTIVE: WONDER WOMAN - THE 90's
Issue Number: 1-shot
Title Story: Wonder Girls
Publisher: DC
Creator: William Moulton Marston
Writer: William Messner-Loebs
Artist: Lee Moder
Inker: Dan Green
Colors: Chris Beckett
Letters: Dezi Sienty
Cover Artist: Lee Moder & Wes Hartman
Price (USD): $4.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero


The DC RETROACTIVE series of one-shots have reached the nineties so I decided to
sample the Wonder Woman title. The lead story is set in a time when Diana was
off in space for months and returned to find that her homeland has vanished and
her position as ambassador to Patriarchs' World has been eliminated. She is now
staying with her friend Etta who has asked her to help mentor her sister's girls
club. Two of the girls are Etta's nieces. They and their three friends are
absorbed in music, shopping and fashion magazines. They dream of becoming
fashion models while leading the lives of poor little rich girls. When one asks
Diana what she did as a young girl it inspires Diana to show the girls that
there is much to learn about the world and themselves outside of the pop
culture. She soon has them running, shooting hoops in an unconventional fashion
and even diving for treasure in a lake. That part is rather comical when the
girls learn what the treasure is. As they get more into it Diana may be enjoying
more than they are but then a chance encounter with other girls on their own
proves to the girls the value of the training they have been enduring the last
few weeks. And the finale is even better when they are all put to the test in a
real-life crisis. It is a pleasant story with a bit of humor as we see the clash
of cultures and how everyone, even Diana adapts to the other. I liked the art in
that every character is unique and the finishes enhance that aspect. It is nice
to read a story that is more about self-discovery than beating up bad guys for a
change.

Back up story: "A Sudden Deadly Leap" from WONDER WOMAN vol.3 #66, 1992
By William Messner-Loebs, Paris Cullins, Robert Campanella, Matt Hollingsworth
and John Costanza

This reprints relays how Diana is called to help rescued a stranded cosmonaut in
space. Other heroes that could do the job easier are not available. The man who
recruited her can send her into orbit in a rocket sled captured from Darkseid's
minions. The plot involves apparent betrayal for unknown motives and by the end
Diana and the lady cosmonaut are stranded far off in space working on a way to
find their way back to Earth. This may well have been the beginning of the space
journey alluded to above - I don't know for sure. It is only the beginning so if
it piques your interest you will have to search the back issues for more. It is
good as far as it goes though the art is not that appealing to me, especially
when Diana is in her normal costume. She appears way too muscular than normal -
but that's just me.

Title: SPONTANEOUS
Issue Number: 1
Title Story: Combustible
Publisher: Oni Press
Writer: Joe Harris
Artist: Brett Weldele
Letters: Douglas E. Sherwood
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Science Fiction




The third issue of this series is supposed to be out this week and I decided to
look at the first issue again. It first surfaced as ONI's Free Comic Book Day
offering and then was published again in July. The opening event takes place in
a mall food court. A rather large man has ordered multiple burgers, fries and
drinks. The young man serving him suddenly asks pointed questions about his
health, sleeping habits and urination. It is as if he needs to know these
things, or knows something about this man already. It is not much later that the
man burst into a ball of light and leaves only a pile of ash where he was
sitting. Well the boy named Melvin later meets with his friend Kenny and we see
they anticipated this and even had hacked into the security cameras in an
attempt to tape it. But what happened and why? That is the gist of this series.
We see in flashback that when Melvin was much younger his father was also a
victim of spontaneous combustion on Melvin's birthday. Is Melvin trying to solve
the problem or is he a part of it? In the second half he gets involved with a
freelance reporter looking into the mall event and we learn he is indeed
predicting and tracking potential victims of spontaneous combustion. The first
issue ends with a bang, literally. It is an interesting subject and the story is
plotted with enough mystery to make it enjoyable. Brett's art is very compelling
and reminds me of Ben Templesmith. This is a good alternate to the super hero
stuff I am more prone to read.

Title: X-FACTOR
Issue Number: 224
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Peter David
Artist: Emanuela Lupacchino
Inker: Guillermo Ortega
Colors: Rachelle Rosenberg
Letters: Cory Petit
Cover Artist: David Yardin
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero



I have maintained that X-FACTOR is the best of the X/Mutant books in the Marvel
lineup. The majority of the credit goes to Peter David who consistently provides
engaging stories and characters that continue to grow and change as time goes
on. His plots are involved enough to provide threads for future stories while
moving forward the current plot in a pace that takes the story where it has to
go and always leaving me waiting for the next chapter. He also performs well
when he is forced to tie in with some ongoing event as mandated by the powers
that be by keeping the focus on his own characters and the current plot while
making such tie-ins meaningful and not just a gimmick for crossover sales. The
thing I like the best is his dialogue that always manages to insert the right
amount of humor when appropriate. The team has been through a lot but when the
chips are down they manage to pull together. This issue is a climax of the birth
of Rahne's child arc. In the past we have learned that the father is a mythical
god and that various mythical creatures have been attacking the group to get to
Rahne. She took off with Jack Russell (not the terrier but the Werewolf by
Night) to upstate New York to draw the danger away from X-Factor. When Cerberus
attacked them they were separated and a boy identifying himself as Agamemnon,
actually the person who sent Cerberus, took her in to a cabin. Now She is being
held in enchanted chains in a mystical circle while he awaits the birth. He
reveals that he is the half brother of Hela who is after the child as well. The
first child born of a mutant and a god will be a powerful weapon in a war to
come and both siblings want to own it. So this issue is all about the efforts of
X-Factor to find and rescue Rahne, the actual birth of the child, and the
aftermath of those events. It is suspenseful and full of action. The ending is
not what you might expect but it resolves the issue for now so that Peter can
move on to the next issue. Then again I could be wrong and the next issue could
be more about the same mythical conflict - you never know with this title. The
tease for next time is that it will be a point-one issue, 224.1! That should be
a good issue for those of you who have hesitated to give this title a try.

*****
TRIVIA CONTEST!!!! WIN REAL PRIZES!!!!!

If you think you know the answer to the trivia question send your guess via
Email to me at ComicBkNet@aol.com and you could win the prize. The first six
correct answers will be assigned a number and a roll of the dice will determine
the winner. You should put your real name in your message so we know who you
are. Prizes must be claimed at our store within 30 days of winning. The prize
will be a $10 credit slip, which will be redeemable for merchandise at regular
retail or in-store ongoing specials only. Only one prize per person will be
allowed per every 4 weeks. I will be the sole judge of the correct answer even
if more than one answer could be correct. Submit only one answer per Email
please but guess as often as you like.

Last week's trivia question:
Which "friendly rival" of Bruce Wayne pledged $75,000 during Super-Thon Three,
the annual Justice League Super-Thon?
The answer is Anthony Stark, who requested that the contribution go to the Heart
Fund. Source: Super Friends, vol. 2, no. 5 (June, 1977). We had no winner this
week so the prize will carry forward to the next question.

Here was your no prize question:
Which was the last US state to outlaw flogging as a punishment?
The answer is Delaware.

THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION:
The prize this week will be will be EDGAR ALLAN POE'S TALES OF MYSTERY: GRAPHIC CLASSICS

In which comic, name and number, did Batman investigate the supposed death of
Paul McCartney?

Here is your no prize question:
For which branch of the armed services did Hillary Clinton once apply?

Folks, you never know who among the readers is knowledgeable about the question
so don't hesitate to send in an answer - even days after it appears.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

My View
David LeBlanc
ComicBkNet@aol.com

David LeBlanc was the Editor of the Comic Book Network Electronic Magazine for
over ten years. He is a life-long fan of comics and moderated online comic book
forums long before the Internet became the place to be. David works part-time at
That's Entertainment, the Eisner-winning comic store in Worcester, MA.


REVIEWS

The comics reviewed are chosen by David not by That's Entertainment management
or staff. The opinions expressed are his alone. If you have an opposing view you
are welcome to respond to David directly by Email at the address above.


Title: MARVEL ADVENTURES SUPER HEROES
Issue Number: 17
Title Story: Hawkeye and Iron Man in "Rabid Dog"
Second Story: The Black Widow in "Tell No Secrets"
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Paul Tobin
Artists: Ronan Cliquet, Marcio Takara & Amilcar Pinna
Inkers: Amilton Santos, Marcio Takara & Amilcar Pinna
Colors: Sotocolor
Letters: David Sharpe
Cover Artist: Barry Kitson & Val Staples
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero
All Ages

I have never been disappointed by any of the MARVEL ADVENTURES series of comics
so I decided to pick up the latest issue of the SUPER HEROES title. This book
serves up two stories for only three bucks and is appropriate for all ages. In
the first story Hawkeye is acting as a bodyguard for a National Security Courier
on a typical New York Street. Suddenly Iron Man enters the scene and takes
menacing steps toward the courier. That is when Hawkeye realizes it is only
Tony's armor being remotely controlled. Hawkeye begins defending them but soon
it is evident his arrows are no match for the armor. He calls Tony still
shooting arrows until he arrives. It takes the two of them to figure out who is
behind it all and how to stop the armor. It is a good story with action and a
bit of humor. The art is decent and compliments the plot very well. In the
second story it is the Black Widow who gets bodyguard duty when Nick Fury tasks
her with guarding a classified agent until she has to testify at a secret
meeting. The hook of the story is that he can't tell Natasha what the agent,
Linnette, saw or where and to whom she will be testifying. The rest of the story
has Natasha and Linnette dodging bullets, jumping from rooftops and making
escape after escape. All the while Natasha badgers Linnette for information
about who is after them but she gets nowhere. It is not until the leader of the
henchmen is revealed through a trick Natasha pulls that things become a bit
clearer. While not as much fun as the first story this one still has a sense of
adventure with a touch of humor. The entire issue gives the reader the sense of
comics as they used to be - self-contained stories with basic plots and less
darkness and angst. The MARVEL ADVENTURES series is fun for comic lovers of all
ages and the perfect introduction for the younger readers.


Title: DC RETROACTIVE: GREEN LANTERN - THE 80's
Issue Number: 1-SHOT
Title Story: The Big Betrayal
Publisher: DC
Writer: Len Wein
Artist: Joe Staton
Inker: Andy Owens
Colors: Allen Passalaqua
Letters: Wes Abbott
Price (USD): $4.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero



In this latest DC RETROACTIVE comic we get two Len Wein stories about two Green
Lanterns. The lead story is a new one done in the style of the 80's featuring
John Stewart. The interesting thing about this story is that in it John reveals
his identity to his girlfriend, TV reporter Tawny Young. The next day she goes
on air and tells his secret to the world. There is no turning back as John when
pressed by reporters outside his apartment confirms he is Green Lantern. I guess
I never paid all that much attention to John's origins or the fact that his
identity is known. Apparently how it became known was not revealed until now.
(In the know readers can help me out if I am wrong on this one.) The plot
follows a predictable path as a villain decides to use Tawny as bait to lure
John out and make a name for himself. As I said, I was surprised that this story
takes place in a one-shot so long after John first appeared back in the 70's.
Still it is not bad and reflects the story styling of the times.

Back up story: from GREEN LANTERN #172 - 1984
"Judgment Day" by Len Wein, Dave Gibbons and Anthony Tollin

This is an excellent choice for a sample from the 80's. It happens to be the end
story of a yearlong arc when the Guardians exiled Hall Jordan from Earth. During
that time he was sent all over the sector doing tasks and having trials set
before him. While it does not get into the reasons why he was made to do this it
is a very readable story. He is anxious to have his final audience and plead his
case to be allowed to return to his home planet and his regular duties. It is a
well thought out script right down to the final scenes back on Earth - though a
bit melodramatic as I read it now.

Title: THE STAND: THE NIGHT HAS COME
Issue Number: 1 (of 6)
Publisher: Marvel
Creator: Stephen King
Writer: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
Artist: Mike Perkins
Colors: Laura Martin
Letters: Joe Sabino
Cover Artist: Tomm Coker with Laura Martin
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Horror



I have been following this adaptation of Stephen King's classic novel from the
start. Now that it is entering the final arc I wanted to take another critical
look at it. After the virus wiped out 99% of the population the forces of good
and evil have been gathering followers in the west. The Dark Man known as Flagg
is in Las Vegas with his followers planning his eventual move on those who
follow the wisdom and light of Mother Abigail in Colorado. But they are not
foolishly waiting for the inevitable. They have two of their own as spies among
the people in Vegas and a third is on his way. The story opens as the judge is
making his way from Boulder into the enemy territory. Flagg has given orders
that he is to be killed on sight but his head is not to be damaged. But how does
he know the judge is coming? We find out as the story unfolds. Meanwhile Dayna
Jurgens has successfully been accepted among the people of Vegas and even is
sleeping with Flagg's lieutenant, Lloyd Henreid. None of the spies are supposed
to know whom else was sent there but Dayna noticed Tom Cullen on the street. She
is about to be found out and Flagg is desperate to know whom the third spy is.
Can she keep the secret? This episode highlights the lengths Flagg is going to
and some of the minor things that will spoil his plans. I am more familiar with
the TV mini-series than the book so the extra depth that this comic series
brings out, like the scenes with the judge, makes it a new experience. The art
has been superb throughout the entire run. The action is heating up so check it
out now.

Title: FLASHPOINT: DEADMAN AND THE FLYING GRAYSONS
Issue Number: 3 (of 3)
Title Story: Death of the Family
Publisher: DC
Writer: J.T. Krul
Artist: Fabrizio Fiorentino
Colors: Kyle Ritter & Ander Zarate
Letters: Dave Sharpe
Cover Artist: Cliff Chiang & Jared K. Fletcher
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero


The FLASHPOINT mini-series are wrapping up, as we get closer to the DC reboot in
September. This title involves Dick Grayson and his family, as they exist in
this time-altered world. Instead of a circus in the US the Graysons are
traveling in war-ravaged Europe. Also in the circus is Boston Brand, the star
daredevil known as Deadman, the Mystic Kent Nelson with the Helmet of Nabu, the
nimble Ragdoll and Vertigo who can disorient people with his power. Most of
these retellings of standard DC characters put new twists on their lives. This
one probably does the least of that. The Graysons are trapeze artists and in
this story, like the other, the parents are killed while performing. The son,
Dick Grayson, will live to fight on against his parents' killers - though not as
the sidekick to another great crime fighter. The Amazons are after the Helmet
and their attack on the circus resulted in the death of the elder Graysons. The
other four are now faced with life or death if they choose to hide the Helmet.
This is an all action issue with heroic sacrifice and maybe a not so unexpected
outcome. Still it leads into part of the big finale to come. One or more of the
characters may have a big part to play later, in which case having read this
story will be a plus. We will have to see.

Title: THE LIVING CORPSE: EXHUMED
Issue Number: 1
Title Story: The Embrace of Nosferatu
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Creator: Ken Haeser & Bud Hasson
Writer: Ken Haeser
Artists: Ken Haeser & Bud Hasson
Colors: Chris Hewitt
Letters: Ken Haeser
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Horror



I honestly picked up this comic book because of the title. I like puns and
oxymorons so I was intrigued by a corpse that is living!(?) Looking inside I
found some very accomplished artwork that is cartoon-like but very detailed in
every aspect right down to the finished coloring. The story goes back to a time
when zombies rose from the dead and a particular zombie killed a woman and her
daughter in front of a young boy. The boy realized this zombie was his dad who
died years before. Faced with his own son and memories of his past the living
corpse, John Romero, fled the scene and eventually was chosen by a supernatural
being (not really introduced but he is the narrator) to be the gatekeeper
between the land of the living and the realm of the dead. So he is a hero of
sorts fighting a one-zombie war against the variety of monsters that would take
over from the living. In the rest of the back-story we learn he has a sidekick
of sorts, a young girl named Lilith he stopped from committing suicide in his
graveyard. His young son, Taylor Romero, somehow survived the zombie horde and
eventually became an FBI Special Agent and has dedicated his life to have
revenge on his dead father for killing his mother and sister. Evidently much of
this story was in a previous series publication now collected in a trade
paperback called THE LIVING CORPSE OMNIBUS. The story in this new series has the
Living Corpse returning to his cemetery home only to find corpses strewn about -
victims of a vampire. Imagine his horror when he catches the vampire in the act
and it is Lilith! Not only does he have to deal with his ward trying to suck his
blood but the vampire that turned her shows up as well. Well this has some
classic horror themes and a bit of humor. As I said the art is very
accomplished. If you are tired of straight up zombie horror this diversion might
be good for you.

Title: EDGAR ALLAN POE'S TALES OF MYSTERY: GRAPHIC CLASSICS
Issue Number: VOLUME TWENTY-ONE
Publisher: Eureka Productions
Creator: Edgar Allan Poe
Contributing artists: Reno Maniquis, Michael Manning, Nelson Evergreen, Brad
Teare, Lisa K. Weber, Stan Shaw, Anton Emdin, Ronn Sutton, Craig Wilson, Roger
Langridge, Neale Blanden, Molly Kiely, Andy Ewen, Maxon Crumb and Leong Wan Kok
Cover Artists: Michael Manning & Stan Shaw
Adaptations by: Antonella Caputo, Tom Pomplun, Rod Lott, Rich Rainey, Ron Sutton
and Stan Shaw
Price (USD): $17.95
Release Date: August 2011
Genre: Horror/Mystery

If you have never tried the GRAPHIC CLASSICS line of comic adaptation trade
paperbacks this would be a good one to start with. In fact their first offering
was also adaptations of Poe's work. Publisher and Editor Tom Pomplun always puts
together a great collection of artists to bring the works of classic authors to
life in the form of comics. For this second volume of Poe classics he has
published a great book. The lead entry is "The Murders in the Rue Morgue done by
Caputo and Maniquis. It is a detective mystery that stands up with the best of
them. Poe uses the now famous locked room murder theme and two engaging lead
characters who are out to prove that the man accused of two dreadful murders is
really innocent. It is all there, from clues missed by the police to the method
used by the perpetrator to escape the locked room. I won't spoil the final
reveal but it really is one of Poe's better works not relying on horror. The
creative team does it justice to catch the essence of the plot with really fine
art. It is my favorite of the book. Probably a close second for me is "Hop-Frog"
interpreted by Rod Lott and Lisa K. Weber. It is the story of a court jester,
the king's fool, who also has the burden of being a cripple and a dwarf. Hop-
Frog and a young lady dancer named Trippetta were forced from their homeland and
given to the king as presents. He treats them rather cruelly when it pleases him
and they have no choice but to submit. But when he is particularly harsh with
Trippetta Hop-Frog devises a plan that will not only avenge the brutality but
also will ensure their freedom. This is a great story with a bit of horror near
the end. The illustration is very well suited as the people are almost
caricatures. The king and his seven ministers all have very large mouths in a
constant wide-open position, like characters out of Monty Python cartoons. It is
great to see the simpleton get the better of his betters. "The Tell Tale Heart"
adapted and illustrated by Ronn Sutton with coloring by Benjamin Wright is one
of Poe's best-known horror stories. Sutton puts a new twist on it by making the
murderous narrator a modern day female with a green Mohawk. She is fan of rock,
piercings and Nazi memorabilia. As the story goes she describes how over time
the old man she lives with got to her. He had a bulging eye that was pale blue
with a film over it. It final got to her, this evil eye and she finally does him
in. She hides the body in the floor and cleans up all evidence of the crime. But
when the police come to investigate screams heard by the neighbors she begins to
hear the beating of a heart that gets louder and louder. It is one of Poe's best
stories and this version captures the essence of the suspense intended. The
other long story worth mentioning is "The Masque of the Red Death" wonderfully
adapted by Stan Shaw. It is a story taken from the Dark ages when the horrific
plague was devastating the land so much so that Prince Prospero took a thousand
Knights and Dames into his abbey fortress. It was amply provisioned and when all
were in the gates were welded shut. As the pestilence ravaged the countryside
these nobles lived safely within. In the fifth month the prince held a
masquerade ball in seven rooms, each of a different color. But one attendee that
will provide the ironic finale to the story disturbs the revelry. These are just
a few of the highlights of a superb volume worth reading and sharing with
others. There are also shorter stories and illustrated poems most of which rise
to the same level of excellence. Like other volumes in the GRAPHIC CLASSIC
series I heartily deem it to be worth you comic dollars.


*****
TRIVIA CONTEST!!!! WIN REAL PRIZES!!!!!

If you think you know the answer to the trivia question send your guess via
Email to me at ComicBkNet@aol.com and you could win the prize. The first six
correct answers will be assigned a number and a roll of the dice will determine
the winner. You should put your real name in your message so we know who you
are. Prizes must be claimed at our store within 30 days of winning. The prize
this week will be will be EDGAR ALLAN POE'S TALES OF MYSTERY: GRAPHIC CLASSICS
reviewed in this column. Only one prize per person will be allowed per every 4
weeks. I will be the sole judge of the correct answer even if more than one
answer could be correct. Submit only one answer per Email please but guess as
often as you like.

Last week's trivia question:
Name the tile from 1997-1999 wherein the main character gained new super powers
by dying.
It was of course DC's RESURRECTION MAN beginning again soon. The winner by the
dice was Kevin Browne.

Here was your no prize question:
What country's current flag consists of a single solid color?
The Libya Flag was officially adopted on November 11, 1977. It is the only flag
in the whole world with just one single color. There are no designs, insignia or
other details on the flag of Libya. Green is the national color of the country.

THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION:
Which "friendly rival" of Bruce Wayne pledged $75,000 during Super-Thon Three,
the annual Justice League Super-Thon?

Here is your no prize question:
Which was the last US state to outlaw flogging as a punishment?

Folks, you never know who among the readers is knowledgeable about the question
so don't hesitate to send in an answer - even days after it appears.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

comic reviews 8/14/11


My View
David LeBlanc
ComicBkNet@aol.com

David LeBlanc was the Editor of the Comic Book Network Electronic Magazine for
over ten years. He is a life-long fan of comics and moderated online comic book
forums long before the Internet became the place to be. David works part-time at
That's Entertainment, the Eisner-winning comic store in Worcester, MA.


REVIEWS

The comics reviewed are chosen by David not by That's Entertainment management
or staff. The opinions expressed are his alone. If you have an opposing view you
are welcome to respond to David directly by Email at the address above.


Title: ULTIMATE FALLOUT
Issue Number: 4 (OF 6)
Title Story: Spider-Man
Title Arc: Spider-Man No More
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Sara Pichelli
Colors: Justin Ponsor
Letters: Cory Petit & Layton Cowles
Cover Artist: Mark Bagley, Andy Lanning & Justin Ponsor
Variant Cover: Marko Djurdjevic
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero

This is the issue that has gotten the pre-release hype and news coverage. If you
have been living under a rock or don't want to know about the new Ultimate
Spider-Man read no further! While the first three issues have been concentrating
on reactions by various characters on the death of Spider-man, now revealed to
have been Peter Parker, this beginning of the second half of the series shifts
instead to other plots that will impact the Ultimate Universe when the books
relaunch in September. Thus it gives more meaning to the label "Fallout" than
just reaction to the death of a hero. The most time is taken up with someone
dressed in a Spider-Man costume stopping a thug named Kangaroo from beating up a
low life that owes him money. It is a typical fight scene in which the new
Spidey prevails. It is landmark in that it is his first appearance. However if
you read closely you will observe a few things. His name is not mentioned though
it is has been revealed in the press releases. He is indeed black and it is not
evident from the one panel we see his face that he is also half Hispanic.
Finally the common reaction from the crowd is that the costume is in bad taste -
with only one person wondering how Spider-Man could be alive. I also notice what
could be a major change, at least for the time being - there is no evidence that
he has web shooters. He actually climbs a building when he leaves the scene and
does not shoot webs during the fight. I think the creative team did a good job
on the story and am interested enough to stay with it and also get the new title
when it debuts.

Back up stories:
"Reed Richards" by Jonathan Hickman, Salvador Larroca & Frank D'Armata

Last time we saw Reed was at the end of the ULTIMATE DOOM as he was set adrift
in the Negative Zone, his face disfigured by Johnny Storm. This bit picks up
where we left him and shows us how he escapes death and a little bit of what he
is planning. Stay tuned for future developments.

"Valerie Cooper" by Nick Spencer & Clayton Crain

This to me is the most interesting tidbit of a plot development for the future.
The scene is in a caf‚ of sorts where a foreign affairs correspondent, Brett, is
having coffee with Valerie Cooper aide to Captain America. She informs Val of
the secrets she has learned from a dying mutant in Vancouver who has the ability
to relay his memories telepathically. Brett has since lucked into some
government records that were classified but through clerical error the
classification has lapse. What she knows and will now become public information
is likely to start riots across the country. So much is at stake that Valerie
makes an excuse to leave only to warn Steve Rogers and others about what is
going to happen. I am not going to tell you what it is but it is something that
faithful readers of the Ultimate comics have known for some time. The revelation
will indeed cause a big stir when it comes out. I can't wait.

Title: RACHEL RISING
Issue Number: 1
Publisher: Abstract Studios
Creator: Terry Moore
Back Cover Art: Fabio Moon
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Crime/Supernatural
Mature - Comics on the Edge

I could not pass up the newest title from Terry Moore. His STRANGERS IN PARADISE
and ECHO are great reading that illustrate not only his ability as a premier
black and white artist but also his imaginative cross-genre story telling. From
romance, crime and mystery to science fiction he keeps you enthralled with
strong characterization masterfully illustrated. The story is about a young girl
who was obviously murdered by strangulation. The opening scene follows a walk in
the woods coming to what appears to be a dried riverbed. As we watch a hand then
legs start to appear out of the ground. By the time Rachel is out of her shallow
grave we realize she is not normal anymore - her eyes are the giveaway. She
manages to hitch a ride home and in cleaning up notices the abrasion ring around
her neck. We see her remembering a dark figure strangling her. In flashback she
recalls trying to convince her friend Jet to go out on Tuesday. In an attempt to
find out what happened "last night" she seeks her friend and learns from others
that it is now Friday not Wednesday. There are a few other interesting
characters and the first one you see is left up to you to figure out, I have my
own ideas. So an apparent dead girl has "come back to life" - maybe. There is
just enough in this first issue to get you interested. Don't miss a chance to
get in on it from the beginning.

Title: THE INFINITE
Issue Number: 1
Publisher: Image Comics
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Rob Liefeld
Inker: Rob Liefeld & Adelso Corona
Colors: Hi-Fi Design
Letters: Rus Wooton
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Science Fiction

As much as I am not a fan of Liefeld's art I decided to try this comic for the
story written by Robert Kirkman. Liefeld did not surprise me with his typical
overly muscular men with straight-line angular jaws. What is up with the guns he
always draws? Every rifle and pistol has to have oval stocks and barrels. Anyway
it is his thing so that is what you get. The story is interesting enough. It
starts with two freedom fighters in the future sneaking in to the Citadel of the
Infinite. Bowen and Case have been fighting against Imperius, the dictator of
this era. Everyone is dressed in metallic suits with armor padding but they are
invisible through the use of high tech scramblers. But as they enter Imperius is
waiting for them. They have been at war for almost a decade and Bowen means to
end it now. Imperius of course claims he has saved this world while Bowen claims
he is mad with power - shaping the world he wants through the use of a time
machine. That is the key to the whole story. Bowen wants to unravel it all by
stealing the machine and going back to set things right. At the end Bowen
disappears in a flash to come back to our present. He has travel back eighteen
years to recruit Case and his younger self in his plan to save the future. They
will have some knowledge of what will come but in the current present they can
only assume The Infinite and their leader Imperius are already in this time
beginning to work their plans. Well, it is a basic story with a couple of twists
of time travel and the main character working with his younger self. I am not
impressed enough to stay with it long but you may think differently.

Title: MYSTIC
Issue Number: 1 (OF 4)
Title Story: The Tenth Apprentice
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: G. Willow Wilson
Artist: David Lopez
Inker: Alvaro Lopez
Colors: Nathan Fairbairn
Letters: Jared K. Fletcher
Cover Artist: Amanda Conner & Paul Mounts
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: Now on Sale
Genre: Fantasy

This is the latest 4-issue mini-series in Marvels re-imagining of the Crossgen
Universe. G. Willow Wilson is not telling the same story but taking the
characters and some of the elements and telling a different one. In this case
Giselle and Genevieve are orphans in the impoverished slums of Hyperion. They
spend their days doing the laundry and whenever they can they sneak into the
library of their tyrannical mistress to study the magical skills only available
to the aristocracy. When they are finally discovered they have no choice but to
escape their slavery and try to make it on their own. Thanks to an old friend
they soon find harbor in the palace of the High Artisan, the man who trains the
new apprentices in the mystic arts. It won't be long until they are on the paths
destined for them with the fate of the planet in the balance. I really like the
pacing on this story. The girls have a great rapport that see saws back and
forth in a love hate kind of way but not that strong. Genevieve is the dreamer
with high hopes while Giselle is more practical and bold. They stand by each
other through the hardest times but when their lives change drastically will
their loyalty hold? It is scripted well and the art team does a great job
including the Fairbairn's spectacular coloring. This is a good change of pace
mini-series you should put on your must read list.

Title: THE PUNISHER
Issue Number: 1
Story Title: Punisher: One
Back up story: Interview, Ref: #110401-C
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Greg Rucka
Artist: Marco Checchetto
Colors: Matt Hollingworth
Letters: Joe Caramagna
Cover Artist: Brian Hitch, Paul Neary & Paul Mounts
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Anti-Hero
Parental Advisory

Well, he's not really a hero now, is he? I am not sure how many first issues THE
PUNISHER has had but here is another one. I think Checchetto and Hollingworth
have done a great job on the art on this comic. It is appropriately dark and
moody when need be and very detailed throughout. The colors are outstanding and
the layouts imaginative. The back up story is a dialogue between Detective
Robert Seever and Officer Walter Bolt with the art having no captions. The
opening scene is a small wedding that ends in tragedy as a group of armed men
enter the hall. Strangely on of these men is shot from behind at the door and
then they all start firing. The police arrive to find twenty-seven dead and
nineteen wounded. Detectives Bolt and Clemons are the investigators. They
conclude the wedding party may not have been the targets and follow a lead on
one of he weapons left behind. We also learn that Detective Bolt soon is fed
information at a dead drop from the Punisher. Later, as the gang known as the
Exchange celebrates their victory, the Punisher crashes the party, with expected
results. It no doubt has meaning to the future of the plot when something he
does seems out of character. The INTERVIEW back up story takes place in the past
when Bolt was still an officer working surveillance with his partner Officer
Moffat as part of a drug task force. They are watching a meet in the Cloisters
between a known dealer and maybe his suppliers. When it becomes evident this is
not going to be amicable meeting Bolt realizes there could be collateral damage
to civilians if the opposing thugs draw down. At that point the Punisher takes
control of the situation with only Officer Bolt and the civilians surviving the
shoot out. The interviewer leads Bolt into accepting the fact he was the hero.
As far as they know it was Bolt, not Castle that slew the mobsters with his
partner getting off some shots before being killed. The pictures tell us how it
really went down and provide a clue as to how Bolt came to work with the
Punisher in the lead story. The two together make for good reading with strong
visuals. This is a great first issue without any baggage from past continuity.

Title: KULT
Issue Number: 1 (of 4)
Publisher: Dark Horse
Writer: Jeremy Barlow
Artist: Iwan Nazif
Colors: Michael Atiyeh
Letters: Michael Heisler
Cover Artist: Jake Murray
Price (USD): $3.50
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Horror/Supernatural
Mature - Comics on the Edge

Strangely enough this comic also begins with a wedding reception that is
interrupted when a man grabs the bride's arm, turns into a grotesque demon and
then asks her is she is the one. That is only a snippet alluding to a similar
scene much later in the story. The main character is a probation officer named
Tomas Zenk who is not particularly happy with his life but hangs on to his job
in the city for the sake of his daughter who lives with his ex-wife. We get a
few scenes of how rocky the relations and his effectiveness as a part-time
father is becoming, explaining his attitude. But all that will change this day
as he too has an encounter with a demon who transform from the form of one of
his parolees who has missed his check-in. References are made to the great
machine turning and the demon repeats the same phrase he did to the bride and
claiming Tomas is blasphemous in his personal deification. Luckily for Tomas he
escapes the apartment and is rescued by a trio, one of who is clearly not a
human being. As they use a spectacular device to make a getaway in the subway
they give us the startling revelation that Tomas is supposed to take god's
place! That is a lot to absorb in one issue. This is one of those stories that
will tell us that humanity is not what it seems and there are things we have not
been told for the sake of our sanity. If Tomas is the chosen he will have a
major jolt next issue. This kind of story is difficult to ease into. A lot of
detail must necessarily be revealed slowly as the plot moves forward. The art is
really first class and so far the plot can be followed even though not
everything has been made clear. There are many questions left unanswered and
there is sure to be lots of action moving forward. If you are a fan of the genre
this is worth checking out.
*****
TRIVIA CONTEST!!!! WIN REAL PRIZES!!!!!

If you think you know the answer to the trivia question send your guess via
Email to me at ComicBkNet@aol.com and you could win the prize. The first six
correct answers will be assigned a number and a roll of the dice will determine
the winner. You should put your real name in your message so we know who you
are. Prizes must be claimed at our store within 30 days of winning. The prize
will be a $10 credit slip, which will be redeemable for merchandise at regular
retail or in-store ongoing specials only. Only one prize per person will be
allowed per every 4 weeks. I will be the sole judge of the correct answer even
if more than one answer could be correct. Submit only one answer per Email
please but guess as often as you like.

Last week's trivia question:
According to Gene Colan, what comic company was the FIRST to produce a comic
direct from pencils - his of course?

Eclipse first produced RAGAMUFFINS from Colan's pencils. Greg Goding won the
toss this week.

Her was your no prize question
Which Italian city is the birthplace of the modern pizza?

Pizza is believed to have evolved from early Egyptian flat bread. However,
Naples, Italy, is considered the birthplace of the modern pizza. Pizza was
brought to the United States by Italian immigrants and made popular by soldiers
returning from Italy after World War II (1939-45). Between 1945 and 1960,
pizzerias began sprouting up all over the United States. Greg Goding earns the
no prize this week.

THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION:
Name the tile from 1997-1999 wherein the main character gained new super powers by dying.

Here is your no prize question:
What country's current flag consists of a single solid color?

Folks, you never know who among the readers is knowledgeable about the question
so don't hesitate to send in an answer - even days after it appears.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Comic Reviews 8/5/11

REVIEWS

The comics reviewed are chosen by David not by That's Entertainment management
or staff. The opinions expressed are his alone. If you have an opposing view you
are welcome to respond to David directly by Email at the address above.


Title: THE VAULT
Issue Number: 1 (of 3)
Publisher: Image
Writer: Sam Sarkar
Artist: Garrie Gastonny
Colors: Sakti Yuwono
Cover Artist: Bagus Hutomo
Price (USD): $3.50
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Horror(?) Science Fiction





Gabriel Parker and Michael Page have spent most of their academic and
professional lives trying to unravel the mystery of the Oak Island Treasure Pit.
There are certain clues contained in ancient tablets that have led them to
another island, Sable Island off the coast of Nova Scotia. With a small band of
explorers and some very high tech equipment they are about to explore another
pit that could produce findings buried deep below the sea of an enormous nature.
They are gambling everything they have that it will pay off. In the opening
chapter they decide to cut in Mr. Kirlov for the use of his state-of-the-art
undersea robot in a race to break through a chamber before an approaching storm
can halt their progress. The robot proves to be the key to progress and the
initial find of treasure chest boosts their hopes that all was not in vain. But
a closer assessment indicates that it is not enough to cover their costs to
date. Clues on a tablet they found indicates that this was not the main vault.
There are similarities in this "vault" and the Great Pyramid of Egypt. Going on
that lead and at some renewed risk they find another chamber – but what will its
secrets mean? The closing scene provides a clue as to something never before
known to man is contained in a large coffin-like box they have discovered. I
might add that the opening three pages of the comic are a big clue that really
do not make sense until you get to that last page. This is a good thriller that
takes it time setting the framework for the circumstances involved with the
major players and their relationship. The art is superbly done by the artist of
SUPERGOD. The promise of an even bigger mystery grabs you at the end giving
supernatural implications to what they have discovered. I'm hooked on this one
and look forward to what comes next.

Title: THE CAPE
Issue Number: 1
Publisher: IDW
Creator: Joe Hill
Writer: Jason Ciaramella
Artist: Zach Howard
Colors: Nelson Daniel
Letters: Shawn Lee
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: Now on Sale
Genre: Science Fiction

Jason Ciaramella picks up the story of Eric and the Cape where we left off after
the one-shot based on the short story by Joe Hill, writer of LOCKE & KEY. In
that story Eric gained the ability to fly from a childhood make believe super
hero cape. Rather than do something constructive with his otherwise loser life
he took revenge on the girlfriend who dropped him when she had had enough of
him. He basically took her up about twelve stories high and then dropped her,
killing her in a brutal manner. It was a rather abrupt ending and now we get the
story that comes after. The police investigating the story are once again
questioning Eric about the relationship he had with Angie. Through the course of
the questioning we realize, even without reading the first comic, that Eric took
revenge on her for turning to his brother Nick. The only forensic evidence the
cops have is some blue fibers they found on the body. This sets off Eric's radar
that they might be able to trace those fibers back to a certain cape he owns. So
now he must take action to stop that. How he does it is in line with his
behavior in the past and is too much of a spoiler to reveal here. But Eric is no
genius. Not only does he say some revealing things to Nick when he calls but he
is also not careful about who sees him when he gets home. We get the feeling
things will start to come apart for him at some point. In the meantime it is
like watching a train wreck, you just can't turn away. Stories where the bad guy
gets away are only appealing if they are told properly. I don't know if Eric can
manage it or if this sequel will have him brought to some form of justice. There
are other younger characters that are peripheral at this point but could play a
bigger part in the end. With the high level of writing and art on this story
I'll be waiting to see where it goes.



Title: THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN CENTURY #2: 1969
Title Story: Paint It Black
Publisher: Top Shelf & Knockabout Comics
Creator: Alan Moore
Writer: Alan Moore
Artist: Kevin O'Neill
Colors: Ben Dimagmaliw
Letters: Todd Klein
Price (USD): $9.95
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Fantasy/Horror



I hesitated to read and review this comic because it has complexities that a
simple review cannot cover. Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill layer their work with
all kinds of cultural references relevant to the decade of the setting, most of
which are British and unfamiliar to the average American reader. If you are more
curious about this aspect of the book an Internet search will provide more info.
A good start is at Newsarama http://www.newsarama.com/comics/loeg-century-1969-
cheat-sheet-110727.html

Mina Murray, Allan Quartermain and the gender changing Orlando are all that is
left of the LOEG as they depart from the Nautilus in 1969. They are in a far
different setting that the 1910 chapter of Century and the whole creative team
from writing to art, colors and lettering take advantage of the psychedelic
sixties in every way possible. Our three heroes are still up against Oliver
Haddo's plan to usher in an age of sinister evil through the birth of a
"moonchild" who could well be the antichrist. It is in this chapter we
apparently learn how it is that Haddo manages maintain his influence on his cult
following despite his apparent death. It starts with the death of a pop idol and
subsequent plans to hold an outdoor memorial in his honor. This is the late
Sixties so there are a lot of very colorful clothes and free sex and drugs
throughout. Mina and company are not aware how the idol's death ties into to it
all but are nonetheless lead to the same gathering where Mina will confront
their nemesis through the use of a psychedelic drug. O'Neill and Dimagmaliw
really let loose in this sequence as it leads to the climax if not a final
resolution. Yes this is only the second of three parts and how the main
characters interact in this chapter explores partly the fact that they are
living lives far longer than normal, which opens up changes in attitude about
life, love and relations. The story from the antagonists' side is fascinating in
itself involving black arts, human sacrifice and traveling on the astral plane.
This is the kind of work that can be read on its own for one level of enjoyment.
It also fits well into what came before, clarifying some things that were
mysteries before. And, it will bridge the gap for the final chapter set in 2009.
There is also a text piece in the back that is critical reading if you are to
get the full effect of the book and the series. It is a phenomenal piece, as you
would expect from Moore and company. It is well worth the money and the time.

Title: DC RETROACTIVE: JLA – THE 70's
Issue Number: one shot
Title Story: Enter Justice League Prime
Publisher: DC
Writer: Cary Bates
Artists: Gordon Purcell & Andy Smith
Inker: Jose Marzan & Andy Smith
Colors: Carlos Padilla
Letters: Wes Abbott
Price (USD): $4.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero



Like the RETROACTIVE FLASH comic I reviewed last time this one is done in the
70's style. In a similar fashion the story starts out with what seems like an
odd situation that has Adam Strange in a mental hospital trying to explain his
history as a space traveling adventurer who has to warn the Justice League of an
impending attack by their old foe, Kanjar Ro. The only problem is he is somehow
on Earth Prime, our world dear readers, where super heroes only exit in comic
books. The story backtracks to show how Adam was going to visit the Justice
League from Rann but Kanjar Ro intercepted the beam and has found away to absorb
the energy of it. That initial action ended up with Ro beaming to Earth One and
Adam being shifted into the dimension of Earth Prime. The JLA learns of this
through their monitoring system and after confirming with Alanna on Rann they
leap into action. One group searches for Ro while Flash, Zatanna, Green Arrow
and Wonder Woman head to Earth Prime to rescue Adam. They find Adam but he has
lost his memory and believes he was always a normal guy and the heroes are just
comic book characters. To jog his memory the League needs help and so they call
on an acquaintance of Barry Allen on this Earth, Julius Schwartz the Editor of
DC Comics. Julius devises a plan to get Adam back to normal and then it will be
off to Earth One to save the day. This is a fun story involving real people in a
way that makes sense and helps resolve the plot. The eventual confrontation with
the villain is handled well and provides the action and the eventual victory.
The art team does its part to keep with the style of the fashions in the time.
The civilian garbs are spot on and even provide a couple of in jokes among the
team. Kudos for accomplishing the objective in good fashion.

Bonus story: Where on Earth Am I? From JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #123 (1975)
Story by Cary Bates & Elliot S. Maggin, art by Dick Dillin and Frank McLaughlin

Cary Bates may have used his story from this reprint as inspiration for the main
story. This one starts on Earth Prime as Schwartz is chiding Bates and Maggin
for not coming up with a good plot for the next JLA issue. As the two brainstorm
they take out the cosmic treadmill that Flash used to leave Earth Prime on a
previous visit. One thing leads to another and Cary gets accidentally sent to
Earth Two, home of the JSA. Along the journey his mind and body become affected
and soon he finds he has super power and a different attitude in this new
setting. In a desperate attempt to save Cary Elliot tries to duplicate the
transport but instead ends up on Earth One of the JLA. Before you know it we
will have both good guy teams unwittingly fighting each other as part of the
master plan of the now evil Cary Bates. The only downside of the story is that
it was continued into the next issue so fans that really want to know how it
ends will have to find JLA #124 from 1975.

Title: TERMINATOR/ROBOCOP: KILL HUMAN
Issue Number: 1
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Writer: Rob Williams
Artist: P.J. Holden
Colors: Rainer Petter
Letters: Simon Bowland
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Science Fiction



I couldn't pass up this mash up of two of the better-known icons of the science
fiction films. It is set in the future at a time when Skynet has nearly
eliminated all the humans on Earth. We follow Lauren and a male companion as
they race to stay alive. They believe they be the last humans and in a desperate
move are breaking into a Skynet facility to find some way to shut it down. Only
Lauren makes it in and to her surprise it is a museum of sorts. It is full of
old robotics and weaponry. One pistol catches her eye and as she unlocks the
case to get it a Terminator catches up with her. At this point Robocop comes out
of some kind of suspended animation and saves the day. When more Terminators
arrive Murphy finds a way to even the odds. But seeing how Robocop may be more
machine than man will it be long before Skynet takes a different approach to
kill what it believes is the last human? The coming attractions indicate the
next issue will be set in the time of the T2 movie so more excitement is on the
way. I really enjoyed this story and was kind of shocked at the end of it. The
art is good enough to not distract but a finer finish would really make it stand
out. It is a good opening chapter with promise of more thrills to come.

Title: LAST MORTAL
Issue Number: 3 (of 4)
Publisher: Image/Top Cow
Writers: John Mahoney & Filip Sablik
Artist: Thomas Nachlik
Letters: Troy Peteri
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Crime/Science Fiction






Occasionally I will pick up a random issue of a comic to see how it reads on its
own without knowledge of the series. This is a black and white comic with an
interesting cover so I picked it. I was pleased to see a few pictures and words
on the inside cover to bring us up to speed. Alec King is a small time thief who
gets hooked up with some bad people. He and his friend are hired to pull off an
assassination of a local politician but Alec freezes and his friend gets killed.
Alec got away and tried to kill himself. That is when he learns he can't die.
Next he got hit by a car and shot and still survived. So three times he "died"
but still survived. As the story opens he has been picked up by a woman he does
not know who begins by asking him why he tried to kill Robert Callahan. It
appears she knows Alec who has no clue who she is or why she rescued him. As the
story unfolds we learn that they have met – eight years ago at a fraternity
party. She never forgot him for what he did that night but this is more about
who he is and why he was in on the hit. It gets stranger when all this comes out
as Alec is recuperating at her house. What happens next moves the action in a
whole new direction. Well this comic accomplished the mission of being a very
readable mid chapter that easily explains what has come before and moves forward
with a lot of character exposition and key plot elements revealed. The art is
really stylish black and white done very well. The key element is not so much
that Alec can't die as that only enters into the action almost peripherally. He
is on the run from the people who hired him to kill a man and not only does the
woman who has a relation with the victim shelter him but he learns some shocking
truth about why he was hired. It is good stuff and I am dying to see how it
ends.

*****
TRIVIA CONTEST!!!! WIN REAL PRIZES!!!!!

If you think you know the answer to the trivia question send your guess via
Email to me at ComicBkNet@aol.com and you could win the prize. The first six
correct answers will be assigned a number and a roll of the dice will determine
the winner. You should put your real name in your message so we know who you
are. Prizes must be claimed at our store within 30 days of winning. The prize
will be a $10 credit slip, which will be redeemable for merchandise at regular
retail or in-store ongoing specials only. Only one prize per person will be
allowed per every 4 weeks. I will be the sole judge of the correct answer even
if more than one answer could be correct. Submit only one answer per Email
please but guess as often as you like.

Last week's trivia question:
Whose first published comic work appeared in Nightmare #20? (published by
Skywald in August of 1974 - it was a B&W horror mag).
The answer is John Byrne.
The winner is Keith Martin.

Here was your no prize question:
What is the world's fastest racquet sport?
Badminton is the fastest racquet sport in the world with shuttles reaching
speeds of up to 332 km/h (206 mph). Gregory Goding wins the no prize.

THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION:
According to Gene Colan, what comic company was the FIRST to produce a comic
direct from pencils - his of course?

Her is your no prize question
Which Italian city is the birthplace of the modern pizza?

Folks, you never know who among the readers is knowledgeable about the question
so don't hesitate to send in an answer – even days after it appears.