Comic Reviews 9/25/10

Title: RED: FRANK
Issue Number: 1-Shot
Publisher: Wildstorm/DC
Creator: Warren Ellis & Cully Hammer
Writers: Jon & Erich Hoeber
Script: Gregory Noveck
Artist: Jason Masters
Colors: Carrie Strachan
Letters: Wes Abbott
Cover Artist: Cully Hammer
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Action/Adventure
Mature - Comics on the Edge


This is one of four prequels to the movie RED. RED is based on the original
graphic novel by Warren Ellis and Cully Hammer. Each of the prequels takes a
look at a main character. This one is about Frank Moses, the Bruce Willis
character in the movie. He is a U.S. operative with a license to kill. The
opening line, "Cairo, it never ends well" gives you an early clue what to
expect. But that germ of an idea is quickly lost, as we get involved with the
plot. Moses has been sent here to assassinate Peshar Tarkani, a man who is known
to help unfriendly countries gain nuclear technology. To his dismay he has also
been saddled with a younger agent who needs the experience. Also in town are the
Russians who want both Tarkani and Moses dead. As a stand-alone comic this is a
pretty good one. The dynamic between Frank and his new partner Jordan is both
serious and somewhat comical. Frank lays out the rules for the newbee who
resists the most important one. The banter serves to develop the characters for
us while slyly laying down the framework for the finale. We get a scene of the
harsh reality that is Frank's world as well as the dangers in trusting anyone.
It is a well-scripted story that goes by too quickly. The artwork is passable
but lacks definition in places. Still it is a good comic. If the other three are
as good I recommend you try them all.

Title: DCU: LEGACIES
Issue Number: 5
Title Story: Crisis!
Publisher: DC
Writer: Len Wein
Artists: Scott Kolins & George Perez
Inker: Scott Koblish
Colors: Mike Atiyeh & Allen Passalaqua
Letters: Rob Leigh
Cover Artists: George Perez/Walt Simonson
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero


This series is sort of a condensed history of the DC Universe as told through
the eyes of a Metropolis cop, Paul Lincoln. I had not sampled it yet but the
Crisis on Infinite Earths cover caught my eye so I picked it up. Lincoln gives
us a look back to a time when lots of things were changing in the DCU. These
were the eighties - a time of change. Lincoln notes the noticeable change around
the time the Doom Patrol was reported dead. From then it is a fast paced history
lesson - an edgier Joker, the re-emergence of the Spectre, the change in Green
Arrow's look, the New Teen Titans, Firestorm, the Charlton heroes, The
Outsiders, the New Doom Patrol, Night Wing, a new Robin and so on. But Lincoln
is more than the narrator. His story also includes the parole of his brother
Jimmy and subsequent re-integration into society and the extended family. The
two interact with heroes in a couple of places and their families are together
when the Crisis begins on Earth 1. This gives a good contrast between average
citizens caught up in a world event versus every hero on the planet fighting
against an unstoppable force. Of course the chapter ends in mid-crisis but I
found it a pleasant trip down memory lane. Perez is up to his usual fine work on
the twenty pages he drew. Len Wein is also commendable for weaving together the
two main plots to produce a new story and recap some pivotal moments in DC
history.

Backup story: Snapshot: Resistance
Len Wein, Walt Simonson, John Workman & Allen Passalaqua

This is a fun story starring some classic DC space/time heroes. It begins with
Adam Strange making a rendezvous with a Zeta Beam only to find himself
transported to a world not on his itinerary. When he gets there he finds Tommy
Tomorrow, Captain Comet, Space Ranger and Cryll. They fill in Adam that they are
one team of pawns against another group in a war orchestrated by unknown
abductors. They are supposed to fight to the death. The other side is composed
of various aliens familiar to one or more of the good guys. The challenge is to
defeat the enemy and get to the manipulators to get back home. It is a basic
plot with an expected outcome. It is nice to see Simonson's art on these classic
characters as well as the surprise Wein sets up for the reveal. It is a perfect
back up for the main story.

Title: SERENITY
Issue Number: 1 (reprint 2005)
Publisher: Dark Horse
Creator: Joss Whedon
Writers: Joss Whedon & Brett Matthews
Artist: Will Conrad
Colors: Laura Martin
Letters: Michael Heisler
Cover Artist: John Cassaday
Price (USD): $1.00
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Science Fiction/TV Adaptation



You may have noticed that publishers these days are putting out reprints of
first issues of ongoing or finished series for only a buck. This one was
originally timed to begin with the release of the Serenity feature film. The
comic bridges the gap between the TV series and the movie. So, looking at this
comic as a first issue it comes across pretty well. A reader unfamiliar with the
TV series will have no problem following the plot though familiarity brings with
it some understanding of the nuances in the dialogue. Essentially we have a
bunch of space cowboys making their way across space taking jobs along the way.
In this opener they are supposed to grab a big pile of coin from a settlement on
a particular world. With Shepard conducting a sermon in the local church the
team gets in the bank but are stopped from leaving by another band that also
want the cash. Things are going to get worse before they get better. Meanwhile
elsewhere, a couple of men looking for Malcom seek out someone also hunting for
him to set up a plot for the next issue. I guess we'll have to seek out back
issues or a collected trade to follow that plot. While I was not an avid fan of
Serenity while it was on I did see a number of episodes and enjoyed it. The art
on the characters is almost there as far as real likeness of the TV characters.
In fact I chuckle to think that one is now CASTLE, a mystery writer who helps
solve crimes while another is the gritty CIA agent on CHUCK. The plot is good
enough and the price is right. You could spend the usual $3.99 on a current
comic and take your chances but this one is worth a buck.

Title: HALO: FALL OF REACH
Issue Number: 1 (of 4)
Title Story: Boot Camp
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Brian Reed
Artist: Felix Ruiz
Colors: Val Staples
Letters: Jared Fletcher
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Video Game Adaptation/Science Fiction
Ages 17+


Video gamers will know a lot more about HALO than me. But then I don't review
games, I review comics. So this then is the story behind one of the most popular
series of games on the market, in particular FALL OF REACH. It is set in the
26th century when over 800 planets in the galaxy have been colonized. The United
Nations Space Command has built the largest empire humanity has ever known. Now
the UNSC is facing a full-blown insurrection with the possibility of endless
civil war. But one woman has a plan to prevent this war, at a very dire cost.
The comic opens on Eridanus II as a Colonel Watts, leader of a rebellious group
is about to evacuate his troops in the face of over one hundred UNSC ships
entering orbit. While the ground troops take the initial brunt of the conflict
the Colonel orders his fleet to slipstream to a rendezvous far away in space.
The scene serves to introduce what will be a major character later in the story.
The main plot revolves around Doctor Catherine Halsey. We meet her four years
later as she lands on Eridanus II accompanied by Lt. Keyes of UNSC. They are
here to identify a young boy of six whose genetic makeup shows certain
anomalies. Her conversation with the boy reveals to the reader just what that
means. Later we learn the same kind of investigation has located seventy-five
six-year-old children that will be taken from their homes and their planets to
be part of a special project named Spartan II. They are now conscripts in the
service of UNSC. A hint of what is to come for them is chilling. There is a text
piece in the back that is an interview with the writer. It gives a little bit
more background and insight so I found it helpful. This reminds me a lot of
ENDER'S GAME wherein youth is conscripted to train for an upcoming fight in
space. The difference here is that the fight will be against other humans. I
like the premise and execution of the plot so far. It is good science fiction
not relying yet on a lot of fighting, a hallmark of this type of video game. The
art is adequate but not very detailed for my tastes. Still it comes off as a
worthy effort. I would be interested to see how fans of the game find it.

Title: X23
Issue Number: 1
Title Story: The Killing Dream - part 1
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Marjorie Liu
Artist: Will Conrad
Colors: John Rauch
Letters: Cory Petit
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero



Unless you read every Marvel comic with an "X" in the title certain characters
may not be so familiar. That is the case for me with X23. Fortunately a decent
recap in text and pictures of her story is included in this first issue. It is
seven pages long, which tells me I don't read many X-Men related titles because
most of it is new to me. In a nutshell she is a clone of Wolverine without the X
chromosome. Her surrogate mother Sarah raised her in the Facility. The Facility
trained her in martial arts and coated her claws with Adamantium. They also
developed a trigger scent that when used sends her into a berserker rage killing
everyone in sight. I'll let you read the rest of the story, which has her
sometimes good and sometimes bad and finally ending up in the care of the X-Men.
She served in the covert team known as X-Force but Wolverine pulled her from the
team. Now she is back among the young mutants in Utopia, the island home of the
X-Men off San Francisco. She has been having nightmares of running from a river
of blood only to arrive in cave where Wolverine tells her she can be his right
hand in Hell. That is pretty disturbing for someone who has seen more than her
share of horrors in her short life. Harder still is the treatment she gets from
most of the other teens. Several shun her and are cruel to her. They found out
after the fact that she had been on the killing team X-Force and she never told
them about it. Surge is the major offender who not only resents the secretive
nature of her involvement but the fact that they are being taught how not to
kill people while she is sanctioned to do just that. But they are not all that
way. She is taken with Hellion and he seems to return the affection. But the
issue deals with the adults as well, in particular Ororo, Logan, Scott and Emma
as they each have a perspective on how to help her adjust. As leader Scott deals
with her tormentors he reveals a plan for her away from her fellow mutants. This
issue deals mostly with the angst of the girl forced to do things early in life
and now is trying to find her way among her kind. It is characterization intense
on purpose to give new readers a better idea of the circumstances. The dream
sequences are used to get some action into the story and seem like a foreboding
of things to come. Is she also prescient? That remains to be seen. I had a mixed
reaction to it all. It reads well but will take time to develop into to a more
engaging story. The art is good enough to support the events so far. Time will
tell with this one.

Title: KODIAK
Issue Number: One-Shot
Publisher: IDW
Writers: Joe Hill & Jason Ciaramella
Artist: Nat Jones
Colors: Jay Fotos
Letters: Robbie Robbins
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Horror
MATURE - Comics on the Edge



If you read my reviews regularly you know I am a big fan of Joe Hill's horror
series LOCKE & KEY. So naturally I had to get this one-shot co-written by Mr.
Hill. I was expecting something more terror filled than what I found. It starts
with two curious young boys trying to get a peek in a window to see one of the
local villagers. It is clear they have heard stories about him but have ever
seen him. But a woman catches them and soon the man appears to reveal a face
with three long scars across it. They apologize but had heard he had killed a
monster bear with his bear hands. He invites them in to tell them the real
story. As a young man of 17 he was a fire juggler with a small traveling circus
in Europe. The feature of the troupe was a rather large trained bear. A duke had
hired them to entertain on the occasion of the birthdays of his twin son and
daughter. The bear was renown for never losing a fight and the duke's son bets
his dogs can take it down but loses the bet. This serves to anger him so much
that when he catches our narrator talking with his sister he finds the excuse to
accuse him of seducing her. He promptly has the boy and the head of the circus,
the bear's trainer, thrown in a cell in a basement. The rest of the story
reveals the fate of the two and another prisoner in the cell as well as how the
man received his scars. There is a small twist at the end, which you might guess
if you play close attention. I found this to be an entertaining story with nice
development leading to a proper conclusion. The art is exceptionally well layed
out and has a nice quality to it. It is not what I was expecting but was worth
the time.

*****
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:
In the SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE, what color was Lois Lane's underwear?
Superman discovered with his X-Ray Vision that they were pink.
The winner by the dice roll is Tom Courchaine.

Here was your no prize question:
What country has more lakes than the rest of the world combined?
The answer is Canada.

THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION:
Whose alter ego was Dr. Tiffany Evans?

Here is your no prize question:
After Warsaw what city has the largest population of Polish people?

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.

Comic Reviews 9/17/10

Title: TIME BOMB
Issue Number: 2 (of 3)
Publisher: Radical Comics
Creators/Writers: Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray
Artist: Paul Gulacy
Colors: Rain Beredo
Letters: John J. Hill
Price (USD): $4.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Science Fiction
Mature Readers




I was really impressed by the first issue of this mini-series I was happy to
find the second issue out this week. Aside from the solid story and interesting
characters Paul Gulacy's art is very appealing. He gets the action, close up
emotion, and the realism just right. After a WWII bomb is trigger in a long
buried Nazi bunker the world is threatened with a deadly virus that would mean
the end of civilization. The New World Order sends a team of specialists back in
time using an abandoned experimental machine - the Time Bomb - to prevent the
Omega device from being set off in the first place. The team of Jack Mcrea, Ken
Weinhauser, Christian Grainger and Peggy Medina overshoot their 24-hour target
and instead are sent back several decades to a concentration camp near the end
of the war. This obviously changes the parameters of their mission. They have to
now work as spies in a war zone, find the Omega Bomb, in whatever stage of
development it is at, and either dismantle or destroy it without getting killed
or seriously altering history. Of course they have a few high tech toys to aid
them in this mission and get to use them. But it is still stealth and cold
calculation they will need to get to their goal. Along the way there are fights
with Nazis, a very interesting meeting of the people behind the construction of
the Omega bomb and their familiar leader and a turning point to the story in the
heart of the coming end to the war in Berlin. The writers have taken the time to
script a thriller with just the right amount of the fantastic to make it more
about the characters racing against time to save the world. The cliffhanger
ending for the team after overcoming some really intense situations will have
you desperate to see how it all ends. This book demonstrates how to put together
the whole package. Wait until you see what I mean.

Title: THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN
Issue Number: 641
Title Story: Something Blue
Title Arc: One Moment in Time
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Joe Quesada
Artist: Paolo Rivera
Other Art: Joe Quesada, Danny Miki & Richard Isanove
Letters: Joe Caramagna
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero



I won't pretend to keeping up with all the details in Peter Parker's life. I
occasionally pick up a Spider-Man title but see him more often in other books
such as the NEW AVENGERS. So, I am not sure if I get the entire gist of this
plot. I know Peter Parker revealed his identity to the world during the time
after the Super Human Registration Act was passed. As a result his loved ones
became targets. His Aunt May was mortally wounded. Now here is the part where my
knowledge departs from the introductory text. What I remember is that Peter made
a deal with Mephisto. In exchange for May Parker's survival the memory of Peter
Parker being Spider-Man would be wiped from the world's memory. That includes
the fact that Peter and Mary Jane would no longer be married, it would be as if
it never happened. Marvel used it as a Brand New Day - a way of having Peter
single again without going through some messy divorce or death. The introductory
text here has him going to Doctor Strange to ask him to make the world forget
that he is Spider-Man. This final chapter of the arc has Peter and Mary Jane
sitting down to discuss why their marriage never came to be. He is retelling the
events of that day through his perspective. Doctor Strange appears to be in a
trance but we see he is having a high level meeting on the astral plain with
Reed Richards and Tony Stark. It is the three together that have the knowledge
and technology to do what Peter is asking - but are they all willing to do it?
This indeed reads like another reset in the Marvel Universe. It is as if they
are saying, "the Mephisto thing didn't work the way we wanted so lets not just
bring Peter and MJ back together but provide a better way for them not to be
together, or never married for that matter." Well, whether or not I have it
right the story here is well scripted and allows things to move forward from
here. The mix of art styles works well as it highlights the difference in
perspectives from what happened then and what is now. Peter even comments at the
end that it feels like a brand new day and for Spider-Man it is.

Title: LUCID
Issue Number: 1 (of 4)
Title Story: Subterranean Homesick Aliens
Title Arc: Magical History Tour
Publisher: Archaia in association with Before the Door
Creator: Michael McMillian
Writer: Michael McMillian
Artist: Anna Wieszczyk
Letters: Shawn DePasquale
Price (USD): $3.95
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy



Before the Door is the media production company of Zachary Quinto. This is also
Michael McMillian's first comic work. He is an actor who recently appeared on
HBO's True Blood and had a recurring role on WHAT I LIKE ABOUT YOU. This comic
is a combination of spy adventure, magic, science fiction and the Arthurian
legend. Matthew Dee is the newly appointed "Protector of the Realm" sometime in
the 21st century. He uses his skills as a covert spy and combat mage to protect
America from the forces of evil. The latest threat has him and his fellow agent
Danya Gygan on the trail of the Grand Liaisons to Outer Biological Entities,
GLOBE, who are about to open a Parson's Gate, which is a dimensional portal.
They believe they are descendants of celestial beings who they will help bring
back to save mankind. A man named Waylan Gheely is manipulating them. Dee knows
they are just dupes that will help bring a great evil into our dimension. This
plot serves to introduce us to Agent Dee and his abilities. Not only is he an
effective covert operative but he also has a high level of magical skill. He
later tells his superiors and the President about those extra-dimensional beings
called the Daoine Sidhe. They were banished after a long struggle for dominion
of the Earth by non other than Merlin of Camelot. The spell Merlin cast so long
ago is showing signs of cracking so Dee is tasked with conducting a s‚ance with
the now late Gheely to learn what they can. Though the art is a little too dark
in color it is not bad. We have gotten rid of most of the back-story and
introductions and will get into the heart of the story next time. Not a bad
start.


Title: RATCHET & CLANK
Issue Number: 1
Title Story: Ears of War
Publisher: Wildstorm/DC
Writer: T.J. Fixman
Artist: Adam Archer
Colors: Jonny Rench
Letters: Saida Temofonte
Cover Artist: Creaturebox
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Video Game Adaptation
All Ages


This one is adapted from a Sony video game of which I have no knowledge. SO once
again I go into this review as a typical comic fan sampling a comic book for the
first time. First let me say I really like the art. It has an almost 3D quality
with vibrant coloring and animation quality finished art. That alone makes it a
visual pleasure. On the planet Veldin our two heroes are busy restoring a
Skyburst 8000 rocket ship. Ratchet is the somewhat humanoid of the two while
Clank is a small robot. It is clear from the start that this is a light-hearted
story, as they no sooner fire up the ship than things go wrong. Fortuitously it
is a non-lethal predicament. But it serves to introduce the characters and set
the tone of the comic. They guys have a past that Ratchet would rather forget.
He just wants t be a simple mechanic doing his job. Too bad the President of the
Polaris Galaxy, Qwark, shows up with a job for them. It seems that some planets
have gone missing. Ratchet wants nothing to do with it but when the force behind
it all comes visiting his planet, that's another story. It is the beginning of
an adventure that has colorful characters and a deeper plot than I though it
would. It is entertaining from the point of view of one unfamiliar with the
video game. Those familiar will probably enjoy it more.

Title: INVADERS NOW
Issue Number: 1 (OF 5)
Title Story: Condemned To Repeat It
Publisher: Publisher
Writer: Christos Gage
Artist: Caio Reis
Colors: Vinicius Andrade
Letters: Simon Bowland
Cover Artist: Alex Ross
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero


I am not much of a fan of golden age super heroes transplanted to the present
but this seemed like it was worth at least checking out now that the Invaders,
at least some of them, have been around for a while. It starts out with a
strange man stumbling into a hospital. He is malformed with bulging muscles all
over so much that his skin is splitting open. He attacks two people and soon
they begin to deform. Fortunately they are all put down before it can spread
further and the incident is reported to the new head of US security forces,
Steve Rogers. But he recognizes what this is and puts out a call for the
Avengers, all of them. Suddenly the Golden Age Vision (I didn't even know there
was one!) appears in the room and tells him no, only the Invaders can save the
world now. The rest of this first issue has the Vision rounding up the rest of
the Invaders, or in some cases their current counterparts. They are Bucky Barnes
- Captain America, Namor - the Submariner, Thomas Raymond - Toro, Jim Hammond -
the Original Human Torch, Jacqueline Falsworth Chrichton - Spitfire and Joseph
Chapman - Union Jack. Along the way, in a two by two sequence, we get to learn
about the characters. For example Tom Raymond has an interesting conversation
with Bucky about the difficulty in being displaced in time to the future while
elsewhere Spitfire tells Union Jack how much she appreciates his carrying on her
father's legacy. Each pair either gets to fight evildoers or perform some task
together just as Vision appears to recruit them to the cause. This all links
back to something that happened back during WWII. The hint is that this was not
one of their better moments. So as far as the first issue goes it is good set up
and background on all the characters, some that we know very well and others we
are getting to know. That structure also allows us to see them in action as
teammates as the story moves forward. The art is pretty good. If you are at all
curious about these characters are all about this appears to a good way to get
to know them. The bigger picture behind the major plot will have to wait until
the next issue.

Title: DOOM PATROL
Issue Number: 14
Title Story: Power Player
Publisher: DC
Creator: Arnold Drake
Writer: Keith Giffen
Artist: Matthew Clark & Ron Randall
Inker: John Livesay
Colors: Guy Major
Letters: Swands & Brosseau
Cover Artist: Clark & Major
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero

I have not read an issue of DOOM PATROL in about a year so I decided to see what
they are up to. As it turns out this issue is the start of a new arc so it is a
good one to sample. It begins with a delightful introduction told in song by
none other than Ambush Bug. It is actually a recap of the most recent story to
help the new reader segue into the new one. And it does as Dayton and Robotman
are walking the beach Rita show up in enlarged form, grabs Dayton and flings him
out into the ocean. Only Cliff's fast reaction will enable Dayton to survive.
This single event sets off reactions not only from Rita's teammates but also
from the people that watch over them. Once Rita has cooled off there are some
revealing discussions about how the members feel about each other and Niles
Caulder. Speaking of Niles you might guess from the cover that the story would
be more about him and it is. This may be something that has been going on for
several issues but he is about to conduct an experiment on himself that will
truly change the dynamic of the Doom Patrol and not in a good way. His
personality seems agitated; perhaps he has even gone over the edge. He will
attempt to give himself Superman/Kryptonian powers. What will be his plan if he
succeeds? I found this to be an interesting plot with some really surprising
action in the latter half. I am not sure I get why they have to be shown as
major dysfunctional all the time. The art team does a decent job in support of
the story. This is one of those episodes that you read to the end and
immediately say, what happens next?

*****
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 name means "He who devours your entrails and thoroughly enjoys it"?
The answer is the DC character Lobo. The winner by the dice is Gary Katzoff.

Here was your no prize question:
Where is the driest place on Earth?
Technically, the driest place on Earth is in the valleys of the Antarctic
near Ross Island. There has been no rainfall there for two million years. On the
entire continent the average yearly total precipitation is about two inches.

THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION:
In the SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE, what color was Lois Lane's underwear?

Here is your no prize question:
What country has more lakes than the rest of the world combined?


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.

Comic Reviews 9/10/10

Title: HELL HOUSE: THE AWAKENING
Issue Number: 1
Publisher: Viper Comics
Creators: Chad Feehan & Ryan Dixon
Writer: Chad Feehan & Ryan Dixon
Artist: Tsubasa Yozora
Inker: Jeremiah Lambert & Matt Keltner
Colors: Ed Ryzowski
Price (USD): $9.99
Release Date: September 9 (?)
Genre: Apocalyptic Fiction



On occasion I get free comics in the mail from publishers. This one is from
Viper Comics, the folks who bring you DEAD @ 17. It should be out this week but
they gave me no street date. If it sounds like something you would be interested
in after this review be on the lookout for it or ask someone at the register to
have it ordered for you. What I was surprised about was the strong Christian
message in the story. The title refers to a devise used around Halloween, maybe
with other names like Haunted House, commonly for entertainment. But in this
case the promoter of the Hell House is a fundamentalist Christian academy. They
have devised several rooms in a makeshift building to show those who walk
through the pitfalls of human life. Each shows a situation, with the students as
actors, where a person has to make a choice - to follow the path of
righteousness or the path that leads to damnation. In one room we see a young
girl that chose an abortion and regrets it already. In another there is a rave
where everyone is partying and drugs are offered. The final room has two doors
as exits marked Heaven and Hell. There are several characters, each with their
own levels of morality and weakness. The focus is on two students that are
friends. Darby is the girl who is fully committed to the mission of the church.
She is one of the actors in the Hell House. Her friend is Hitch who although a
student at the academy is very outspoken against any religion to the point of
speaking out in assembly against the pastor, Craig Simeon, challenging his
teaching on the Rapture and the Bible in general as crap. For this he gets
detailed to help at the Hell House souvenir stand (which in itself I found
contrary to the message being espoused.) There are teens who a half hearted
about their religion, but not outspoken like Hitch. The pastor himself proves to
be a human who has faults, to the point of being a stereotype. The plot takes us
through the night of the opening. With the crowd at its max something starts to
go wrong. The ground shakes, parts of the building fall, and some of the
attendees and actors suddenly collapse and their spirits rise from their bodies.
Just as the pastor foretold these are the end times and the Rapture is occurring
before their eyes. The authors include demons rising from the earth that consume
some of the people and then take their form to get close to others. Some
question their faith, others ponder why they were "left behind", a phrase that
is used no doubt as a hat tip to that famous series of novels. By the end we
learn who really is good at heart but not worthy yet to meet their maker. We
also see some who may not find religion but at least know the right course to
take. It is not really preachy in content, though some of the dialogue is that
way. I found it more about choices we make and having the courage to change
course for the greater good. The story does not end here so it would seem we
will see some of the characters that survive try to find their way during the
tribulation to come. There is enough conflict and plenty of demons to make this
an action story as well. The art is pretty good with some very unique layouts.
If you are into Christian fiction this should appeal, though if it has to be
without some nasty language here and there you might take offense. I enjoyed the
story and look to the next chapter to see where it leads.

Title: HEROIC AGE: ONE MONTH TO LIVE
Issue Number: 1 (of 5)
Title Story: Week One
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Rick Remender
Artist: Andrea Mutti
Letters: Dave Lanphear
Cover Artist: Michael Del Mundo
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero




I liked the cover of this comic and did not recall reading any promotional
material about it but gave it a try anyway. I am glad I did. Though it is
labeled with the HEROIC AGE moniker the usual Marvel heroes play only peripheral
roles in the story. The main character is a banker who questions the motives and
necessity of recent decisions made by his boss. He is a family man. He and his
wife are raising their young niece who was orphaned. She is rebellious still
about her new "parents." Dennis has been told to cut off promised funding for a
sculpture garden at a hospital for terminally ill children. It ways on him
heavily but he decides he needs to keep his job and follow orders. As he is
leaving he comes to the aid of a truck driver leaving with biohazardous
material. Two thugs want drugs and when he explains he is carrying waste only
one threatens to kill him. That is the point that Dennis steps in to stop it and
for his efforts he gets a pile of hazardous waste poured down his throat. If not
for the intervention of Ben Grimm they would have shot him as well. A quick trip
to the Baxter Building and an examination by Reed Richards reveals that the dose
was lethal, he may have only one month to live. Dennis decides that for the time
he has left he will make the best of his life, starting with telling off his
boss. But the story gets more interesting when in true comic book fashion Dennis
discovers he has gained the power to manipulate matter that he touches. Suddenly
making the most of his time takes on a new meaning. He will struggle with
temptation to do things with an "end justifies the means" attitude at first but
a conversation with a certain web-slinger and his own family sets him on a
better path. The story will continue for the following four weeks, with some
other creators doing the chores. Dennis uses his new powers at the end of this
chapter in the right way but we see sinister beings in the background that will
figure into the future plots. The art is very good and the story is solid. The
heroes are used smartly in this story so that the main character can develop and
become a hero in his own right. It is a feel good story that is definitely worth
reading.

Title: FREEDOM FIGHTERS
Issue Number: 1
Title Story: American Nightmare
Publisher: DC
Writer: Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray
Artist: Travis Moore
Inker: Trevor Scott
Letters: Travis Lanham
Cover Artist: Dave Johnson
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero



DC is once again giving the Freedom Fighters a run at a series. They are Uncle
Sam, Phantom Lady, Black Condor, Human Bomb, Ray and Firebrand. The structure of
this issue is to show the characters doing different tasks either alone or in
pairs as Uncle Sam rounds them up to take on a bigger role for their country.
First Black Condor and Firebrand take down some neo-nazi's killing those they
despise at a local mall. Then we see Human Bomb sent into space to intercept an
asteroid before it wipes out the planet only to find it is inhabited. Meanwhile
Ray and Phantom Lady investigate a town that has been taken over by an alien
intelligence. Some unique team efforts between the three heroes solve both
problems. But after they are gathered together by Uncle Sam they learn of the
dire circumstances that have brought the Freedom Fighters together again. The
Vice President has been kidnapped by a clandestine group looking for parts of a
weapon of mass destruction dating back to the civil war. It will be up to the
Freedom fighters to gather the parts together and rescue the VP. It is a basic
plot with some interesting antagonists waiting at the very first location they
get to. It is clear the bad guys could not assemble the weapon on their own so
they are using kidnapping as a tool to force the good guys to do the dirty work.
We can probably guess how it will end but we could be fooled. As far as the
issue goes it is easy reading. The art works well and the script keeps things
going in a straightforward fashion. Not bad for a first issue, even if it is not
the first time this team has had their own book.

Title: OUR ARMY AT WAR
Issue Number: One-Shot
Title Story: Time Stands Still For No Man
Publisher: DC
Writer: Mike Marts
Artist: Victor Ibanez
Colors: Ego
Letters: Rob Leigh
Cover Artist: Joe Kubert w/ Tell-A-Graphics
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: War



Who is not tempted to pick up a brand new war comic one-shot with cover art by
Joe Kubert? Actually the cover alone should not be the reason to buy so let's
take a look inside. This month DC is doing a bunch of war comics and this was
the first. It features side-by-side views of World War II and Afghanistan.
Actually the parallels work well for the story. The opener is stark. First we
get a recreation of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Turn the page to a two-page
spread of the Twin Towers in smoke and flames. The story moves forward swapping
eras two or three times on each page. It follows the lives of Corporal Anthony
Sigliano who enlisted as a result of the attack on Pearl Harbor and Master
Sergeant Keyon Jasper who joined up after 9/11. To tie in the traditional war
comics we get Anthony joining up on a mission with Sgt. Rock and Easy Company
while Keyon's unit joins forces with Captain Duncan and his Gods of War. Rather
than just a blood and guts war story this book is about the two main characters,
their motivations, similar experiences with the horror of war and the reality of
their situation. The both have memories of the girl back home, but it is not
until the end that we get the whole story. The art is exceptional throughout.
Ibanez is a terrific penciller with comfort in a range of sequences. He gets the
emotions as well as the big splash pages just right. This is complimented by the
colors by Ego. He (she/it?) uses different tones for the two time frames and it
works extremely well. Two thumbs up for this one!

Title: TORCHWOOD COMIC
Issue Number: 2
Publisher: Titan Comics
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Science Fiction/TV adaptation









I was a fan of this British TV series that spun off from Doctor Who when it was
still available on Basic Cable. Now that it has a comic book I decided to check
it out. Jack, Gwen and Ianto are members of a very secret organization that has
been around for centuries. In current times they are very high tech and protect
the motherland from all sorts of alien and extra-dimensional threats. The other
thing you need to know is Jack is essentially immortal - he can't be killed. Oh,
and he and Ianto are an item, not that there's anything wrong with that. So the
comic is a mix of two separate stories followed by a text piece short story by
Brian Minchin. The first is self-contained; the second carries on from last
issue.

Story: Fated to Pretend
Writer: Brian Minchin
Artist: Steve Yeowell & John Workman
Colors: Phil Elliott
Letters: John Workman

This story has an interesting beginning. The trio from Torchwood is called to a
prison where all communication has been cut off. The prelude to this was a van
carrying a prisoner crashed and the prisoner escaped to the prison demanding to
be let in - everyone else was eaten. After a forced entry the team finds a very
chaotic scene with a bunch of men looking less than human attacking everyone
else, including our heroes. It turns out these creatures go back centuries; one
even recognizes Jack from the 1890's. They live as humans in disguise but are
eventually drawn to this prison and what lies beneath it. The chaos above is not
part of their plan as they only await the coming of their savior. It is an
interesting concept involving a rift in space/time, a concept common for this
show and others from England. Once we get into the flashbacks of how it all came
about it gets more interesting and the solution is inevitable. The art is
acceptable and the banter among the three main characters fills in a lot of
voids in the action, sometimes a bit too much. Overall it is a good story.

Story: Broken - part 2
Writer/Artist: Paul Grist
Letters: John Workman

Coming in at the second part of the story is not too hard. A recap on the inside
cover lets us know that people and even rooms have been disappearing at the
Clockhouse Hotel. Jack was separated from Gwen and Ianto who themselves are
trapped within the hotel. Jack meets Bilis Manger claiming to be trapped in the
hotel by Rift energy. Each of the team is beset in different ways - Jack by
shadow creatures, Ianto by a woman who lost her husband and takes Ianto for a
shadow creature until they are both attacked by Jack's skeleton - trust me this
is real tricky sci-fi stuff. Gwen finds a couple of kids separated from their
mother but will soon have to deal with the shadow creatures as well. While
getting into the story is not hard, trying to figure out where it is going is
not easy. Still I can see it moving toward something and the weird happenings
make it more intriguing. In all the comic is above average for the genre and
fans of the show may enjoy it a bit more.

Title: MATA HARI
Issue Number: 0 - Radical Premiere
Publisher: Radical Comics
Creator: Rich Wilkes
Writer: Rich Wilkes
Artist: Roy Allan Martinez
Paints: Drazenka Kimpel
Letters: Todd Klein
Cover Artist: Tamas Gaspar
Price (USD): $1.00
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Historical Fiction



This is another one of those previews of a graphic novel soon to come - in this
case a hard cover 128-page book in the spring of 2011. Strangely enough I found
the text pages in the back more fascinating than the story as presented in comic
form. Everyone has at least a cursory knowledge of the famous Mata Hari. In this
day she is known as an exotic dancer who during the First World War worked as a
spy for the Germans, was caught and executed. But there is more to the story.
The comic begins in Litmov Russia in 1953. A sixteen-year-old girl, Antonia
Maslov, was found with the severed head of a corpse in a jar. Another young
female is sent into her cell to get her to talk and she begins the story of how
her family was involved in a deed against a famous woman - a woman not even
talked about in that country - the famous Mata Hari. She recaps the story told
in the west of the female spy and her eventual execution but then goes back to
her own enlightenment of the case. Eight months earlier she and her father
visited a monastery to claim the remains of her Uncle Vadim. Antonia retrieved
her uncle's journal and the story begins to unravel through the eyes of this
photographer during the Great War. One of his encounters that will prove to be
pivotal is with a French general named Nivelle. Nivelle is so impressed with
Maslov's work that he take him to Paris to work on propaganda and that is where
he gets his first look at the sensational exotic dancer, Mata Hari. The preview
does not get into the heart of the story, which will be in the graphic novel.
But this issue serves to demonstrate the style of the art, which is very
appealing as well as the tone of what is to come. The text piece in the back
however sheds real light on what the novel will hope to convey. The actual trial
and other details of Mata Hari's case were secret and ordered to be sealed for
100 years by the French government in 1917. What details do exist that she and
others were used as scapegoats to be used as propaganda to steel the French
spirit in the midst of actual strikes by soldiers on the front lines against the
Germans. Without going into more detail I will say it is a fascinating bit of
history that we might be amazed in a few years if the records are unsealed. In
the meantime the graphic novel, which is a work of fiction, will attempt to tell
what might be the truth behind it all. From this preview I would say this would
be a book worth getting. In the meantime spend the buck and see if you don't
agree.

*****
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:
Who shared the cover title with THE X-TERNALS?
The full title was GAMBIT AND THE X-TERNALS.
The winner this time is StephenKostrzewa.

Here was your no prize question:
Besides Frank and Nancy Sinatra what is the only other father/daughter
combination to each have a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100?
Not the Coles - Natalie never hit #1 on the Hot 100. The answer is Pat and Debby
Boone.

THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION:
Whose name means "He who devours your entrails and thoroughly enjoys it"?

Here is your no prize question:
Where is the driest place on Earth?

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.

Comic Reviews 9/3/10

Title: SUPERMAN/BATMAN
Issue Number: 75
Title Story: Resurrection
Publisher: DC
Creator: Siegel & Shuster/Bob Kane
Writer: Paul Levitz
Artist: Jerry Ordway
Colors: Pete Pantazis
Letters: Steve Wands
Cover Artist: Frank Quitely
Price (USD): $4.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero


DC is celebrating the seventy fifth issue of this successful series with an
oversized issue that not only has a solid lead story guest-starring the Legion
of Super Heroes but several back up features from a wide array of creators -
more about that later. The lead story begins in the twenty second century as the
Legion headquarters is attacked by a green-skinned man with considerable powers.
What seems like a rampage is actually a calculated mission. He steals a time
sphere and heads for Smallville in the year 2010. The big picture reveals he is
searching for something in our time to use against Superboy, Clark Kent that is,
as a boy. The Legion arrives in time to save Superman after his bout with the
time traveler and they put Clark in the care of Batman. But they also need
Batman's help in finding a way to defeat the mysterious attacker - Braniac 5 is
smart but he needs help sometimes. Then it is off to visit Superman as a boy and
save him and their own future. This is an interesting story with solid art. As a
stand alone tale it is very fitting for this special issue. But there is a lot
more that makes it worth the price. The filler material is a series of two-page
shorts with the unique stamp of the creators involved. Steven Seagle and Teddy
Kristiansen do a bit of a parody with Steve receiving a call from a DC editor
asking for him to do something for SUPERMAN/BATMAN #75. It is funny enough for
just two pages. Billy Tucci serves up what at first appears to be the World's
Finest up against a giant Joker is really a couple of kids they are the real
deal at a comic convention. Adam Hughes contrasts the origins and history of
Supergirl and Barbara (Batgirl/Oracle) Gordon that is a visual delight. J.T.
Krul and Francis Manapul tell one of the most interesting stories. Batman (Dick
Grayson) and Red Robin (Tim Drake) are having a discussion about the fact that
Tim once kissed Cassie after the death of Conner (Superboy) Kent. Time wonders
if he should tell Conner now that he is back. Meanwhile Conner is asking Clark
what he would do if he found out that Bruce Wayne had kissed Lois. The advice of
the two mentors is the crux of the short piece. Jill Thompson offers two splash
pages - one each of Catwoman and Lois Lane both on the job. Mike Johnson and
Michael Green tell a story through the eyes of kids playing super hero. The kid
Batman waxes nostalgic over the death of Superman. The art by Shane Davis,
Sandra Hope and Rafael Albuquerque is appropriate for the theme. A really cool
entry by Duncan Rouleau poses the question "Who is best at being a superhero's
best friend?" - Krypto or Ace the Bat Hound. Azzarello and Bermejo put together
a dialogue between Lex Luthor and Joker with Lex discussing plans to kill
Superman while Joker arguing it is better to have the hero kill you thereby
violating their major oath. It is told in a cartoon style to emphasize the
humor. Another exceptional short by David Finch and Scott Williams features the
future Damien as Batman talking with a grown Conner Kent as Superman as they
meet to honor their predecessors. The final story by Peter Tomasi and Gene Ha is
a touching one as a father is putting his son to bed. The boy expresses concern
about the bad guys and the monsters they sometimes use. The father assures him
he is safe based on how they have prevailed in their previous "adventures"
against Mister Freeze, Despero, Black Manta and others. It is a fine way to end
just a great comic book.

Title: STAR WARS BLOOD TIES: JANGO & BOBA FETT
Issue Number: 1
Publisher: Dark Horse
Writer: Tom Taylor
Artist: Chris Scalf
Letters: Michael Heisler
Cover Artist: Chris Scalf
Price (USD): $3.50
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Science Fiction





For a change of pace I decided to pick up this first issue of a Star Wars title.
The setting is in the years after Senator Palpatine was elected Supreme
Chancellor - 22 years before the Battle of Yavin. The series will explore the
blood ties between some of Star Wars' famous and infamous characters. This first
arc is about Jango Fett and his clone son Boba. At an early age Jango began
training his son to follow in his footsteps. One of the most important lessons
is to be fearless. So Jango sets him to an almost impossible task. After
spraying Boba with the scent of the Pardlam he exposes him to a Bayleg. The
Bayleg feed on the Pardlam and so this giant Monster goes after Boba with
extreme vigor. The Bayleg are the most feared creature anywhere. If Boba can
survive and bring back a trophy he will have faced the greatest fear of his
life. The scene gives us insight into their relationship. The rest of this
chapter deals with a mission Jango receives from Count Duku. The assassin is
task with finding and killing a man who has sensitive information that must stay
a secret. The only clue to him is the mask he always wears, a helmet. Since he
never removes it he will be easy to spot. The twist of the plot is what Jango
will find under that mask. I found this a well-written story with good pace and
good characters. At this point in his life Boba has become more of a partner
than a son. He is the Robin to Jango's Batman - so to speak. While we are
gaining a look at the training of the famous bounty hunter we are also drawn
into a scheme of secrets that will expose an amazing secret. It is easy to just
jump right in if you are at all familiar with the prequel trilogy. I recommend
it.

Title: GUARDING THE GLOBE
Issue Number: 1
Publisher: Image Comics
Writers: Robert Kirkman & Benito Cereno
Artist: Ransom Getty
Inker: Ransom Getty & Cliff Rathburn
Colors: FCO Plasciencia, Ron Riley & Thomas Mason
Letters: Rus Wooton
Price (USD): $3.50
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero




First the requisite disclaimer: I do not read INVINCIBLE so I am totally
unfamiliar with any of the characters or circumstance in this spin-off title.
Apparently the Guardians of the Globe are an organization of super heroes that
have been appearing in INVINCIBLE for years. Now the main title has that hero
off in space leaving an opening for these characters to shine on their own in a
separate title. My purpose on first read is to see if this reads like a comic
anyone can pick up and enjoy with no foreknowledge - like myself. It opens with
a big fight scene with invaders called the Flaxan. They come from another
dimension and can only stay a short time. Each time they return they are more
formidable. The new leader of the Guardians, Brit, has to get up to speed on
this threat. Anyway, fight, fight, fight and as time runs out the Flaxans
retreat to their dimensional portal. Robot calls an audible beckoning the team
to follow and take the fight to the enemy but only Monster Girl makes it through
with him before it closes. With their ranks further depleted (as we learn in the
dialogue some have died, some retired and Invincible is off planet) the leader
of the Global Defense Agency, Cecil Stedman, decides it is time to really go
global and get as many powered beings as they can stationed around the world to
truly be the Guardians of the Globe. That is the lead-in that introduces the
present core members and the change in status they are about to go through. What
follows is a look at some of the personal lives of the heroes, a recruiting
session by Brit in Nepal, and the mysterious actions of some known as the Order
that will no doubt be a big part of the conflict in future issues. I found this
to be a very easy to read comic. The scripting is one of the things Kirkman does
best and the art is a style that works well for super heroes. If you are into
the genre like most of us are then I think this title would be a good one to
pick up for a fresh start apart from all the other titles on the racks.

Title: SCIENCE DOG SPECIAL
Issue Number: 1
Publisher: Image
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Cory Walker
Colors: Kanila Tripp, FCO Plascencia & Dave Stewart
Letters: Rus Wooton
Price (USD): $3.50
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero





The second Kirkman title out this time is SCIENCE DOG. It is evidently a
character he has been working on for ten years but never found the time or venue
to due the character right. However it is so near and dear to him that he has
included a short twelve-page Science Dog story in every twenty-fifth issue of
INVINCIBLE. The first two are collected in this special and the story will
continue in INVINCIBLE #75. The main character is indeed a talking dog that
walks like a human. Fresh back from a victory in another dimension he gets no
rest when the alarm is raised. Off he goes in his jet pack to stop something
creating damage downtown. A giant robot is smashing things. It is run by Walter,
a super genius who shares origins with Science Dog. Back in the day Walter and
Daniel were lab assistants to a scientist working on time travel. The doctor
always had his pet dog for luck but one day at a crucial time in the initial
experiment the dog ran towards it followed by Walter trying to stop it. They
both got sucked in and underwent evolutionary changes. The dog gained
intelligence surpassing humans by a factor of ten along with strength and speed
exponentially increased. Walter also evolved in intelligence and gained the
power of telekinesis. Daniel was crippled in the accident and now works with
Science Dog to keep the world safe. Naturally Walter set out to take over the
world but has always been thwarted by Science Dog. The ensuing battle in the
present is very interesting. Walter analyzes SD's every move and narrates what
seems to be the motives only to prove that Science Dog is always one step ahead.
When things seem to go wrong Daniel is ready with his own robot to join the
action. But what happened to Science Dog? To be continued...
This is not a bad comic but it is not a great one either. It has the basic
elements of a hero with science fiction elements. It gets a bit campy with the
usual villain spouting off his superiority but always overlooking the hero's
resourcefulness. The art is certainly good enough for any mainstream comic. I
think the characters would be more interesting with a more serious tone and
deeper plotting.

*****
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:
From the Silver Age: Can you spell Mr. MXYZPTLK's girlfriend's name? (Hint: it
is spelled just like it sounds!)
The answer is Miss GZPTLSNZ. The winner by the dice roll is Mike Dooley.

Here was your no prize question:
What was the "oldest continuously run family store in North America" through
2008?
In April 2009 Alphonse D'Amico purchased the family businesses in Kittery Point,
Maine for just over $1 million. D'Amico said later he had purchased Frisbee's
Market and Cap'n Simeon's Galley restaurant with the intent of allowing Cindy
and Frank to continue to run the two businesses until such time as they can get
back on their feet and buy them back.

THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION:
Who shared the cover title with THE X-TERNALS?

Here is your no prize question:
Besides Frank and Nancy Sinatra what is the only other father/daughter
combination to each have a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100?

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.