Yeet Presents #17 (Cost of Paper, February 2018, free)
This issue is even better than #16, which introduced me to this free, self-published comic series. This time featuring two pieces, the edition includes a 23-page Unbreakable Blastwave story by Eli Jansen and Eric Baumgard, and a three-page story by Greta Fantini titled "Acromegaly."
The Blastwave piece, written by Jansen and Baumgard and drawn by Jansen, is an excellent, excellent read—even if the art is a little rough stylistically. It's clear that care and attention went into the production; Jansen uses computer-manipulated photographs as backgrounds sometimes, and the computer lettering helps make it a clean read despite the lack of spaces after punctuation. I am curious how the writing duties were shared, because the writing is quite solid—admittedly surprising for an amateur comic.
It's a mystery. Despite the name of the assumed title character, it's not explicitly a superhero story. There is crime, family drama, adventure, parkour, a crashing spaceship, a demonic figure, and some sort of giant robot or super suit at the end. But for the most part, this is a very human, dialog- and writing-driven story. I appreciate that the creators are slowly unfolding their world, its characters, and narrative.
Following a one-page letter column, "C.O.P. Comments," Fantini contributes a humorous short piece addressing children's response to different body types and self-confidence.
This issue feels more solid and consistent than the previous issue, even if its contributors are similar. A project well worth checking out—and supporting.
Availability: Write Cost of Paper Comics care of Mike Jones, 3257 Kneeland Circle, Howell, MI 48843. Jansen also contributed to Theodore Raymond Riddle's Compu-M.E.C.H. #1. Fantini's Lo Zombi is also available.
Monday, January 29, 2018
Friday, January 26, 2018
Back Issue Boxes
Collectors #1-3 (Collectors Comics, June 2013 to October 2015, $4.99 and $6.99)
Collectors is a weekly Web comic written and drawn by Eddie deAngelini, co-owner of Santa Monica's Hi De Ho Comics with Geoffrey Patterson of Geoffrey's Comics in Gardena. It's the "love story of a husband, a wife, and a comic book collection," loosely based on deAngelini's partnership with his wife Kristen.
These three annual collections, ranging between 44 and 68 pages, and seemingly funded by Kickstarter campaigns, collect material published online, as well as new material to frame and punctuate the reprints, candid photographs of cosplay and comics from deAngelini's collection, and letters of comment from readers.
Strips address thematic constants and concerns of comic book readers and collectors: trivial knowledge about first appearances, anxiety over how much comics cost, holy grail issues of desire, the frustrations of online auctions, the joy of flipping through back issue boxes, and a rich fantasy life. deAngelini also addresses common marriage challenges: family budgets, travel to conventions, spousal compromises, and shared interests such as zombies and cosplay.
The writing is brisk and to the point, gently loving, and clever—and deAngelini clearly loves comic books, reading and collecting. deAngelini's artwork is simple and basic but does the trick—and has matured a little over time. His drawings of Marvel heroes remind me slightly of Fred Hembeck and Chris Giarrusso.
Availability: You can buy Collectors online.
Collectors is a weekly Web comic written and drawn by Eddie deAngelini, co-owner of Santa Monica's Hi De Ho Comics with Geoffrey Patterson of Geoffrey's Comics in Gardena. It's the "love story of a husband, a wife, and a comic book collection," loosely based on deAngelini's partnership with his wife Kristen.
These three annual collections, ranging between 44 and 68 pages, and seemingly funded by Kickstarter campaigns, collect material published online, as well as new material to frame and punctuate the reprints, candid photographs of cosplay and comics from deAngelini's collection, and letters of comment from readers.
Strips address thematic constants and concerns of comic book readers and collectors: trivial knowledge about first appearances, anxiety over how much comics cost, holy grail issues of desire, the frustrations of online auctions, the joy of flipping through back issue boxes, and a rich fantasy life. deAngelini also addresses common marriage challenges: family budgets, travel to conventions, spousal compromises, and shared interests such as zombies and cosplay.
The writing is brisk and to the point, gently loving, and clever—and deAngelini clearly loves comic books, reading and collecting. deAngelini's artwork is simple and basic but does the trick—and has matured a little over time. His drawings of Marvel heroes remind me slightly of Fred Hembeck and Chris Giarrusso.
Availability: You can buy Collectors online.
Thursday, January 25, 2018
Trek-Citement
Star Trek: Discovery—The Light of Kahless #2 (IDW, November 2017, $3.99)
Having recently caught up on Star Trek: Discovery episodes I have been in a state of Trek-citement. Reading the media tie-in novel Star Trek: Discovery: Desperate Hours has helped satisfy that yen, as did the second issue of this tie-in comic.
Written by Kirsten Beyer and Mike Johnson, and drawn by Tony Shasteen, it's an excellent read—and one that will help fill in some back story for those watching the show. At the same time, it's a good standalone story, featuring interesting characterization and wonderful science-fiction artwork.
This issue tells the story of the Klingon T'Kuvma's spiritual awakening and allegiance to Kahless, as told to Voq. Studying in the harsh environs of the Cauldron of Tak'la Pokh in the Caves of Nomat on Boreth, T'Kuvma sees a vision. The vision returns during "the worst storm in years," the Rage of Pakath.
T'Kuvma returns home to House Girjah against his wishes, to assist his sister J'Ula, expected to wed into House Mokai. There, she shows him the flagship the "common people" have restored, as well as its invisibility shield. Then, T'Kuvma meets J'Ula's betrothed, D'Lor of House Mokai.
If you enjoy Star Trek or the Klingons generally—and if you enjoy the new show specifically—check out this comic. The writing is true to the mythos, and Shasteen's artwork is wonderful. I was particularly impressed by the spread on pp. 2-3 of the Cauldron and the flagship interiors on pp. 14-15.
Availability: A collection of the series will be published in July. We also recommend the tie-in novel Star Trek: Discovery: Desperate Hours.
Having recently caught up on Star Trek: Discovery episodes I have been in a state of Trek-citement. Reading the media tie-in novel Star Trek: Discovery: Desperate Hours has helped satisfy that yen, as did the second issue of this tie-in comic.
Written by Kirsten Beyer and Mike Johnson, and drawn by Tony Shasteen, it's an excellent read—and one that will help fill in some back story for those watching the show. At the same time, it's a good standalone story, featuring interesting characterization and wonderful science-fiction artwork.
This issue tells the story of the Klingon T'Kuvma's spiritual awakening and allegiance to Kahless, as told to Voq. Studying in the harsh environs of the Cauldron of Tak'la Pokh in the Caves of Nomat on Boreth, T'Kuvma sees a vision. The vision returns during "the worst storm in years," the Rage of Pakath.
T'Kuvma returns home to House Girjah against his wishes, to assist his sister J'Ula, expected to wed into House Mokai. There, she shows him the flagship the "common people" have restored, as well as its invisibility shield. Then, T'Kuvma meets J'Ula's betrothed, D'Lor of House Mokai.
If you enjoy Star Trek or the Klingons generally—and if you enjoy the new show specifically—check out this comic. The writing is true to the mythos, and Shasteen's artwork is wonderful. I was particularly impressed by the spread on pp. 2-3 of the Cauldron and the flagship interiors on pp. 14-15.
Availability: A collection of the series will be published in July. We also recommend the tie-in novel Star Trek: Discovery: Desperate Hours.
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
Merely Doom's Puppet
Super-Villain Team-Up #3 (Marvel, December 1975, 25 cents)
"If Vengeance Fails!" Writer: Jim Shooter, Artist: George Evans, Inker: Jack Abel, Letterer: Ray Holloway, Colorist: Ellen Vartanoff, Editor: Marv Wolfman.
While I understand that Prince Namor, the Savage Sub-Mariner, is an antihero and occasional foil for other Marvel heroes, I can't quite buy that he is a super-villain, per se. So a book featuring super villains—and starring Namor—seems a bit strange to me. As does a team-up book pairing him with Dr. Doom, who is definitely a super-villain. So I'm curious about the business reasons inspiring this book—because the creative inspiration isn't entirely clear. The series lasted 17 issues.
After killing Billy Dean, Namor's lover, Dr. Dorca becomes the object of the Sub-Mariner's ire. Tiger Shark and Attuma attack Namor in turn before Dr. Doom arrives. Doom downs the trio of foes ("I... had forgotten! You seek to ally yourself to the Prince of Atlantis!") and the two retreat to Doom's amphibious skycraft—and then Castle Latveria—to regroup. Healed and refreshed by a chemical brine-bath, Namor discusses an attack on Hydrobase with Doom.
They attack, and the Sub-Mariner frees the hostage amphibians before tracking down Tamara, who was being questioned. The battle is hard fought, and p. 26 is quite impressive. Evans's artwork is decent enough, but it is Abel's inks that make the issue worthwhile visually. The issue also includes a one-page letter column, "Bad Tidings."
Read Also: Super-Villain Team-Up #2.
"If Vengeance Fails!" Writer: Jim Shooter, Artist: George Evans, Inker: Jack Abel, Letterer: Ray Holloway, Colorist: Ellen Vartanoff, Editor: Marv Wolfman.
While I understand that Prince Namor, the Savage Sub-Mariner, is an antihero and occasional foil for other Marvel heroes, I can't quite buy that he is a super-villain, per se. So a book featuring super villains—and starring Namor—seems a bit strange to me. As does a team-up book pairing him with Dr. Doom, who is definitely a super-villain. So I'm curious about the business reasons inspiring this book—because the creative inspiration isn't entirely clear. The series lasted 17 issues.
After killing Billy Dean, Namor's lover, Dr. Dorca becomes the object of the Sub-Mariner's ire. Tiger Shark and Attuma attack Namor in turn before Dr. Doom arrives. Doom downs the trio of foes ("I... had forgotten! You seek to ally yourself to the Prince of Atlantis!") and the two retreat to Doom's amphibious skycraft—and then Castle Latveria—to regroup. Healed and refreshed by a chemical brine-bath, Namor discusses an attack on Hydrobase with Doom.
They attack, and the Sub-Mariner frees the hostage amphibians before tracking down Tamara, who was being questioned. The battle is hard fought, and p. 26 is quite impressive. Evans's artwork is decent enough, but it is Abel's inks that make the issue worthwhile visually. The issue also includes a one-page letter column, "Bad Tidings."
Read Also: Super-Villain Team-Up #2.
Tuesday, January 23, 2018
Cataloging Comics Ephemera
Minis, Digests, Etc. #1-8 (Tanreth Press, April 2016 to December 2017, $4)
This infrequently but consistently published "iterative reference guide" edited and published by Scott Davis picks up where The Official Underground and Newave Comix Price Guide and Fogel's Underground Price & Grading Guide leave off, bringing those two resources closer to review zines such as D. Blake Werts's Copy This! to catalog and document mini-comics and other comics ephemera. Each 32-page edition, limited to a first print run of 25, indexes mini-comics, digest-sized comics, and comics of other shapes and sizes—including material from the United Fanzine Organization and Small Press Syndicate. The first eight issues go up through D, to Brad Foster's The Dirty Old Lady Digest, which ran five issues between 1986 and 1993.
This zine might not be of interest to everybody—but it is an amazing and impressive project. If you've read mini-comics over the years, it'll be a fun read. And it's a crucial tool for zine and comics librarians, archivists, collectors, and scholars. Davis indexes titles, issue numbers, dates, contributors, price, and additional information for each item. The neatest part of the index zine, however, might be the reduced cover art at the foot of many pages. Just flipping through a few issues, some of the cover art highlights include Adventures of A-Girl, Amazing Cynicalman, Andy Nukes's BLDGS., Jeff Zenick's Destined, Max Traffic's Diary of Neo-Psychedelic Man, and others.
This zine is a labor of love that is much appreciated. I look forward to future issues!
Availability: Write Scott Davis at 114 Lesnyk Road, Goffstown, NH 03045, or email him. You can also order it from the Poopsheet Foundation.
This infrequently but consistently published "iterative reference guide" edited and published by Scott Davis picks up where The Official Underground and Newave Comix Price Guide and Fogel's Underground Price & Grading Guide leave off, bringing those two resources closer to review zines such as D. Blake Werts's Copy This! to catalog and document mini-comics and other comics ephemera. Each 32-page edition, limited to a first print run of 25, indexes mini-comics, digest-sized comics, and comics of other shapes and sizes—including material from the United Fanzine Organization and Small Press Syndicate. The first eight issues go up through D, to Brad Foster's The Dirty Old Lady Digest, which ran five issues between 1986 and 1993.
This zine might not be of interest to everybody—but it is an amazing and impressive project. If you've read mini-comics over the years, it'll be a fun read. And it's a crucial tool for zine and comics librarians, archivists, collectors, and scholars. Davis indexes titles, issue numbers, dates, contributors, price, and additional information for each item. The neatest part of the index zine, however, might be the reduced cover art at the foot of many pages. Just flipping through a few issues, some of the cover art highlights include Adventures of A-Girl, Amazing Cynicalman, Andy Nukes's BLDGS., Jeff Zenick's Destined, Max Traffic's Diary of Neo-Psychedelic Man, and others.
This zine is a labor of love that is much appreciated. I look forward to future issues!
Availability: Write Scott Davis at 114 Lesnyk Road, Goffstown, NH 03045, or email him. You can also order it from the Poopsheet Foundation.
Monday, January 22, 2018
1,000 Superheroes and Other-Dimensional Pets
House of Mystery #157 (DC, March 1966, 12 cents)
"The Marauders of Thunderbolt Island" Script: Dave Wood, Pencils and Inks: Jim Mooney, Letters: Stan Starkman.
In Dial H for Hero stories teenager Robby Reed ("Sockamagee!") turns the mysterious H-Dial to spell out H-E-R-O, becoming any one of 1,000 superheroes. In this issue, he becomes Super-Charge, the Human Bullet, and Radar-Sonar Man to combat a criminal syndicate led by Mr. Thunder.
After being defeated by Cometeer, Giantboy, and the Mole in the previous issue, the gang steals the experimental Cosmic Computer from a naval freighter. Luckily, attentive teen Reed collected articles on the computer in his scrapbook and is able to guess the syndicate's next target: the New Gibraltar underground repository.
As the Human Bullet, Reed flies to the repository and digs deep into the ground to stop the theft. Cracking a code found at the scene of the attempted crime, he turns into Super-Charge, "a fantastic mass of some kind, radiating a strange energy" strong enough to melt the iron support beams of a bridge. Before he can stop another crime, Super-Charge is imprisoned by a magneto ray, so he reverts to the form of Reed.
The teenage boy escapes from the submersible island fortress by crawling through the HVAC system, then turns into Radar-Sonar Man, who's finally able to scuttle Thunderbolt's operations. I'm not sure I understand the appeal of Dial H for Hero. It seems to have the never-ending variety of the Legion of Super-Heroes, only limited by the teenage alter ego of Reed. Could the 1,000 heroes survive or be active independently? The idea doesn't really work as a tryout book, because if a sub-hero proved popular, it still needs Reed and the dial. What a strange concept!
"Manhunter, World's Greatest Clown" Script: Jack Miller, Pencils and Inks: Joe Certa.
J'onn J'onzz, Manhunter from Mars, stars in a backup story in which he goes up against Professor Hugo, who uses a thought-control machine to manipulate the Manhunter in an attempt to make him a laughing stock. Hugo—disguised as a circus clown—makes Manhunter "execute an intricate dance step," flip giant balls into the air, get stuck in a brick wall, and smash an underground high-pressure water pipe.
But the plan backfires, and audiences are soon laughing with J'onzz, not laughing at him. So Hugo sends Manhunter to rob the Centerville Bank to "destroy his reputation for good." The hero's "other-dimensional pet," Zook destroys the thought-control machine, and Hugo's humiliating crime spree is soon ended.
As much as Dial H for Hero threw me, this Manhunter story also threw me. Why does he have the pet Zook? What is Zook's story? The alien creature played a narrative role and might have appealed to younger readers, but he is a silly, strange sidekick for what could otherwise be a relatively serious hero—who doesn't seem to require such a sidekick.
The issue also included a one-page text piece "Mysteries of the Ages," and a Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation that included no circulation data.
Read Also: House of Mystery #156.
"The Marauders of Thunderbolt Island" Script: Dave Wood, Pencils and Inks: Jim Mooney, Letters: Stan Starkman.
In Dial H for Hero stories teenager Robby Reed ("Sockamagee!") turns the mysterious H-Dial to spell out H-E-R-O, becoming any one of 1,000 superheroes. In this issue, he becomes Super-Charge, the Human Bullet, and Radar-Sonar Man to combat a criminal syndicate led by Mr. Thunder.
After being defeated by Cometeer, Giantboy, and the Mole in the previous issue, the gang steals the experimental Cosmic Computer from a naval freighter. Luckily, attentive teen Reed collected articles on the computer in his scrapbook and is able to guess the syndicate's next target: the New Gibraltar underground repository.
As the Human Bullet, Reed flies to the repository and digs deep into the ground to stop the theft. Cracking a code found at the scene of the attempted crime, he turns into Super-Charge, "a fantastic mass of some kind, radiating a strange energy" strong enough to melt the iron support beams of a bridge. Before he can stop another crime, Super-Charge is imprisoned by a magneto ray, so he reverts to the form of Reed.
The teenage boy escapes from the submersible island fortress by crawling through the HVAC system, then turns into Radar-Sonar Man, who's finally able to scuttle Thunderbolt's operations. I'm not sure I understand the appeal of Dial H for Hero. It seems to have the never-ending variety of the Legion of Super-Heroes, only limited by the teenage alter ego of Reed. Could the 1,000 heroes survive or be active independently? The idea doesn't really work as a tryout book, because if a sub-hero proved popular, it still needs Reed and the dial. What a strange concept!
"Manhunter, World's Greatest Clown" Script: Jack Miller, Pencils and Inks: Joe Certa.
J'onn J'onzz, Manhunter from Mars, stars in a backup story in which he goes up against Professor Hugo, who uses a thought-control machine to manipulate the Manhunter in an attempt to make him a laughing stock. Hugo—disguised as a circus clown—makes Manhunter "execute an intricate dance step," flip giant balls into the air, get stuck in a brick wall, and smash an underground high-pressure water pipe.
But the plan backfires, and audiences are soon laughing with J'onzz, not laughing at him. So Hugo sends Manhunter to rob the Centerville Bank to "destroy his reputation for good." The hero's "other-dimensional pet," Zook destroys the thought-control machine, and Hugo's humiliating crime spree is soon ended.
As much as Dial H for Hero threw me, this Manhunter story also threw me. Why does he have the pet Zook? What is Zook's story? The alien creature played a narrative role and might have appealed to younger readers, but he is a silly, strange sidekick for what could otherwise be a relatively serious hero—who doesn't seem to require such a sidekick.
The issue also included a one-page text piece "Mysteries of the Ages," and a Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation that included no circulation data.
Read Also: House of Mystery #156.
Friday, January 19, 2018
Adventure Comics
Adventure Comics #378 (DC, March 1969, 12 cents)
"Twelve Hours to Live!" Script: Jim Shooter, Layouts: Jim Shooter, Pencils: Win Mortimer, Inks: Jack Abel, Letters: Joe Letterese, Editor: Mort Weisinger.
A tale of the Legion of Super-Heroes, this comic book features Superboy and other members of the LSH. It is Brainiac 5's birthday, and because of some undetected poison—Rakurga—Karate Kid, Superboy, Duo Damsel, Princess Projectra, and Brainiac 5 himself have only 12 hours to live.
They spend their remaining time in different ways. Brianiac uses his twelfth-level brain to find an antidote. Superboy visits Smallville before saving a Martian city from a glacier, rescuing a Space Roc, and otherwise "devoting even the last hours of his life to the good of the galaxy!" Duo Damsel second guesses the value of her powers and spends time with her mother and father in the suburbs. Karate Kid goes on a suicide mission against the Fatal Five—a team of villains worth revisiting, perhaps. Pp. 11-17 are pretty incredible.
Princess Projectra moons over Karate Kid before going to a senso-theater. In Metro Square Park, she meets Myron Marks, park-bench philosopher, who shows her how to face death calmly. The group reconvenes to write their will on a steel tablet, bequeathing various items to the Legion before sinking into comas. The issue also features a one-page letter column, "The Letter Outpost," which features correspondence as prose rather than as discrete letters.
"Twelve Hours to Live!" Script: Jim Shooter, Layouts: Jim Shooter, Pencils: Win Mortimer, Inks: Jack Abel, Letters: Joe Letterese, Editor: Mort Weisinger.
A tale of the Legion of Super-Heroes, this comic book features Superboy and other members of the LSH. It is Brainiac 5's birthday, and because of some undetected poison—Rakurga—Karate Kid, Superboy, Duo Damsel, Princess Projectra, and Brainiac 5 himself have only 12 hours to live.
They spend their remaining time in different ways. Brianiac uses his twelfth-level brain to find an antidote. Superboy visits Smallville before saving a Martian city from a glacier, rescuing a Space Roc, and otherwise "devoting even the last hours of his life to the good of the galaxy!" Duo Damsel second guesses the value of her powers and spends time with her mother and father in the suburbs. Karate Kid goes on a suicide mission against the Fatal Five—a team of villains worth revisiting, perhaps. Pp. 11-17 are pretty incredible.
Princess Projectra moons over Karate Kid before going to a senso-theater. In Metro Square Park, she meets Myron Marks, park-bench philosopher, who shows her how to face death calmly. The group reconvenes to write their will on a steel tablet, bequeathing various items to the Legion before sinking into comas. The issue also features a one-page letter column, "The Letter Outpost," which features correspondence as prose rather than as discrete letters.
Thursday, January 18, 2018
Brave Cavemen and Circus Clowns
World's Finest Comics #138 (DC, December 1963, 12 cents)
World's Finest wasn't always a Superman-Batman team up book, but at this stage in its history, it was—but hadn't yet turned into primarily a Superman book. As represented by the cover alone, this issue is pretty goofy. The cover, drawn by Dick Dillin and inked by Sheldon Moldoff, shows Batman, Robin, and Superman, bearded, clothing torn, and bearing caveman weapons, as frog-like aliens train zap guns on them.
"The Secret of the Captive Cavemen" Script: Bill Finger, Art: Jim Mooney. (15 pages)
An alien being discovers that its Z-beam doesn't work on Earthlings, so it goes to the public library to learn why. "The modern Earthling is not affected, so you must go into the past!" The heroes use the time-machine of their friend Professor Nichols after alerting Superman. "50,000 years in the past," Batman and Robin encounter a woolly rhinoceros before befriending some brave cavemen after Superman's arrival.
To trick the aliens, the superheroes tear their costumes and glue hairs cut from animal hides to their faces so they look more caveman-like. The aliens' Z-beam "robs the mind of will power" when used against cavemen, so the heroes act like they're under the aliens' control. They learn that the cavemen are being forced to mine drakkium from a quarry as slaves because unrefined drakkium is deadly to the aliens. The aliens also plan to take over the modern-day Earth by bombarding it with refined drakkium, which is harmful to humans. The aliens do not succeed.
"Little Pete" Written and drawn: Henry Boltinoff. (One-half page)
Pete hits a home run and breaks up the ball game because he broke Mrs. Brown's window.
"The Secret Face of Funny-Arrow" Script: Ed Herron, Art: Lee Elias. (10 pages)
The Green Arrow goes up against a criminal who either is or is not Funny-Arrow, a performing circus clown. Of the two stories in this issue, this is the more interesting, and Elias's artwork is excellent. Funny-Arrow's presence at the scenes of crimes is suspicious, and the character is just comic enough to not be obviously criminal.
"Peter Puptent" Written and drawn: Henry Boltinoff. (One page)
The explorer meets a business man while on safari.
The issue also includes a one-page text piece, "Build Your Own Universe," which focuses on astronomy-related models and hobbies.
Availability: The Superman, Batman and Robin story has been collected in Showcase Presents World's Finest Vol. 2. The Green Arrow piece was collected in Showcase Presents: Green Arrow, Vol. 1.
World's Finest wasn't always a Superman-Batman team up book, but at this stage in its history, it was—but hadn't yet turned into primarily a Superman book. As represented by the cover alone, this issue is pretty goofy. The cover, drawn by Dick Dillin and inked by Sheldon Moldoff, shows Batman, Robin, and Superman, bearded, clothing torn, and bearing caveman weapons, as frog-like aliens train zap guns on them.
"The Secret of the Captive Cavemen" Script: Bill Finger, Art: Jim Mooney. (15 pages)
An alien being discovers that its Z-beam doesn't work on Earthlings, so it goes to the public library to learn why. "The modern Earthling is not affected, so you must go into the past!" The heroes use the time-machine of their friend Professor Nichols after alerting Superman. "50,000 years in the past," Batman and Robin encounter a woolly rhinoceros before befriending some brave cavemen after Superman's arrival.
To trick the aliens, the superheroes tear their costumes and glue hairs cut from animal hides to their faces so they look more caveman-like. The aliens' Z-beam "robs the mind of will power" when used against cavemen, so the heroes act like they're under the aliens' control. They learn that the cavemen are being forced to mine drakkium from a quarry as slaves because unrefined drakkium is deadly to the aliens. The aliens also plan to take over the modern-day Earth by bombarding it with refined drakkium, which is harmful to humans. The aliens do not succeed.
"Little Pete" Written and drawn: Henry Boltinoff. (One-half page)
Pete hits a home run and breaks up the ball game because he broke Mrs. Brown's window.
"The Secret Face of Funny-Arrow" Script: Ed Herron, Art: Lee Elias. (10 pages)
The Green Arrow goes up against a criminal who either is or is not Funny-Arrow, a performing circus clown. Of the two stories in this issue, this is the more interesting, and Elias's artwork is excellent. Funny-Arrow's presence at the scenes of crimes is suspicious, and the character is just comic enough to not be obviously criminal.
"Peter Puptent" Written and drawn: Henry Boltinoff. (One page)
The explorer meets a business man while on safari.
The issue also includes a one-page text piece, "Build Your Own Universe," which focuses on astronomy-related models and hobbies.
Availability: The Superman, Batman and Robin story has been collected in Showcase Presents World's Finest Vol. 2. The Green Arrow piece was collected in Showcase Presents: Green Arrow, Vol. 1.
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
Gone Undercover
Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys: The Big Lie #4 and 6 (Dynamite, 2017, $3.99)
Even if you don't know or like Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys, this is a wonderful, straight-ahead mystery comic. It reminds me of Ms. Tree, Criminal, and 100 Bullets. It also reminds me a little of the Riverdale TV show and perhaps even Veronica Mars.
From these two issues, written by Anthony Del Col and drawn by Werther Dell'Edera, I gather that Fenton Hardy supposedly committed suicide (!!!). Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys have gone undercover with a local gang, immersing themselves in Bayport's criminal underground to find the true killer.
Dell'Edera's art is semi-realistic and captures the noir of mystery well, but is cartoony enough to not become overly threatening. Of the youth detective characters, Drew is more of a strong presence than either Hardy, which struck me as odd but good. #4 includes some pretty neat elements, including the statue of General Jack Smith being a literal entry point to the criminal underground.
The return to the caves and "our old adventures" in #6 is a pleasant almost-callback to the original books—and the shadowy art on pp. 12-14 is pretty darn cool. P. 14 is almost all shape and silhouette—a technique that intrigues me.
A sleeper hit! The comic doesn't need the licensed characters. Perhaps the licensed characters need the comic.
Availability: These issues are available in Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys: The Big Lie.
Even if you don't know or like Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys, this is a wonderful, straight-ahead mystery comic. It reminds me of Ms. Tree, Criminal, and 100 Bullets. It also reminds me a little of the Riverdale TV show and perhaps even Veronica Mars.
From these two issues, written by Anthony Del Col and drawn by Werther Dell'Edera, I gather that Fenton Hardy supposedly committed suicide (!!!). Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys have gone undercover with a local gang, immersing themselves in Bayport's criminal underground to find the true killer.
Dell'Edera's art is semi-realistic and captures the noir of mystery well, but is cartoony enough to not become overly threatening. Of the youth detective characters, Drew is more of a strong presence than either Hardy, which struck me as odd but good. #4 includes some pretty neat elements, including the statue of General Jack Smith being a literal entry point to the criminal underground.
The return to the caves and "our old adventures" in #6 is a pleasant almost-callback to the original books—and the shadowy art on pp. 12-14 is pretty darn cool. P. 14 is almost all shape and silhouette—a technique that intrigues me.
A sleeper hit! The comic doesn't need the licensed characters. Perhaps the licensed characters need the comic.
Availability: These issues are available in Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys: The Big Lie.
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
A Tough Pill
The Divided States of Hysteria #6 (Image, November 2017, $3.99)
Written and drawn by Howard Chaykin, this series follows up his relatively straight-forward noir comic Midnight of the Soul. While the first few issues of this new work felt slightly dense, busy, and difficult to parse, by this point in the series, the multi-layered story—though complex—is easier to read. Perhaps the reader becomes more literate in the comic's form and function with each successive issue.
It is a difficult comic structurally. Chaykin incorporates narrative elements not common to most comics today: little tweet icons and other social media discourse buttons and bugs, photorealistic panel design and elements, and a preponderance of sound effects. The end result is dense, cluttered, but meaningful pages and panels—and a comment of sorts on the age's overwhelming media soup surrounding us. How does one get signal through all the noise?
It is also a difficult comic thematically. It is not a nice, kind, or friendly comic. That doesn't mean it's a hateful comic, but it's not a considerate or patient comic. By this issue, if you made it this far, that might seem OK. But Chaykin pulls no punches on shedding light on some of the more problematic aspects of race, gender, sex, and class relations and divisions in America today. "The freedoms this nation once promised to any and all... the rights once offered to a free people in a free country... have been supplanted and perverted by a national narcissism... redefining our rights as whatever we may feel like doing at any given moment."
Regardless of your politics, it's a tough pill to stomach, but medicine (more inoculation than curative) worth seeking. An impressive, challenging, important comic that's also fun to read. This issue also includes editorial comments by Chaykin in a column titled "Undivided Attention."
Availability: Divided States of Hysteria will be collected mid-month. You can also buy individual issues online.
Written and drawn by Howard Chaykin, this series follows up his relatively straight-forward noir comic Midnight of the Soul. While the first few issues of this new work felt slightly dense, busy, and difficult to parse, by this point in the series, the multi-layered story—though complex—is easier to read. Perhaps the reader becomes more literate in the comic's form and function with each successive issue.
It is a difficult comic structurally. Chaykin incorporates narrative elements not common to most comics today: little tweet icons and other social media discourse buttons and bugs, photorealistic panel design and elements, and a preponderance of sound effects. The end result is dense, cluttered, but meaningful pages and panels—and a comment of sorts on the age's overwhelming media soup surrounding us. How does one get signal through all the noise?
It is also a difficult comic thematically. It is not a nice, kind, or friendly comic. That doesn't mean it's a hateful comic, but it's not a considerate or patient comic. By this issue, if you made it this far, that might seem OK. But Chaykin pulls no punches on shedding light on some of the more problematic aspects of race, gender, sex, and class relations and divisions in America today. "The freedoms this nation once promised to any and all... the rights once offered to a free people in a free country... have been supplanted and perverted by a national narcissism... redefining our rights as whatever we may feel like doing at any given moment."
Regardless of your politics, it's a tough pill to stomach, but medicine (more inoculation than curative) worth seeking. An impressive, challenging, important comic that's also fun to read. This issue also includes editorial comments by Chaykin in a column titled "Undivided Attention."
Availability: Divided States of Hysteria will be collected mid-month. You can also buy individual issues online.
Monday, January 15, 2018
Ragman's Rags
Ragman #3 (DC, February 2018, $2.99)
Chapter three of this new series written by Ray Fawkes and drawn by Inaki Miranda progresses the story in three important ways. First of all, Ragman encounters Batwoman, who tells him that other heroes in the city are watching him, that he's not alone. "Anyone who says he's got eyes on us in this mess is lying, sir."
Secondly, Rory's fellow Marine, Jim Fanshawe, emerges as a villain. Left limbless by a bomb while serving overseas, he is visited by a mysterious figure and turned into a force to be reckoned with. "His flesh is toxic, the ooze infernal." And third, a damaged summoning circle in an abandoned theater doesn't summon the expected invading lord Z'Dargill, but Etrigan, the Demon, who helps turn the tide. (The Demon also currently has his own series; does Ragman cross over to its pages?)
I haven't read the preceding series, but this new outing seems to have more in common with the '90s titles than the original 1976 series. Interestingly, Elaine Lee wrote the 1993 miniseries Cry of the Dead. More could be done artistically with Ragman's rags, but the art is enjoyable, particularly those pages portraying Fanshawe.
Availability: You can buy this issue online. This series will be collected in July.
Chapter three of this new series written by Ray Fawkes and drawn by Inaki Miranda progresses the story in three important ways. First of all, Ragman encounters Batwoman, who tells him that other heroes in the city are watching him, that he's not alone. "Anyone who says he's got eyes on us in this mess is lying, sir."
Secondly, Rory's fellow Marine, Jim Fanshawe, emerges as a villain. Left limbless by a bomb while serving overseas, he is visited by a mysterious figure and turned into a force to be reckoned with. "His flesh is toxic, the ooze infernal." And third, a damaged summoning circle in an abandoned theater doesn't summon the expected invading lord Z'Dargill, but Etrigan, the Demon, who helps turn the tide. (The Demon also currently has his own series; does Ragman cross over to its pages?)
I haven't read the preceding series, but this new outing seems to have more in common with the '90s titles than the original 1976 series. Interestingly, Elaine Lee wrote the 1993 miniseries Cry of the Dead. More could be done artistically with Ragman's rags, but the art is enjoyable, particularly those pages portraying Fanshawe.
Availability: You can buy this issue online. This series will be collected in July.
Friday, January 12, 2018
To Topple the Kingpin
The Punisher Magazine #11-12 (Marvel, June-July 1990, $2.25)
I don't understand why they published The Punisher Magazine. I always thought the reason to go magazine format was to bypass restrictions from the Comics Code Authority, to do things you couldn't do in a comic book. You also benefit from a larger page size and the rich moodiness enabled by black and white on newsprint—perfect for horror and adventure.
As Marvel's answer to Mack Bolan, the Punisher seemed ripe for a more mature newsstand magazine, like the mid-'80s Savage Tales. But this wasn't it. Instead, the magazine reprinted issues of the comic book (these two issue reprint #15-18). That's fine—the comic's not bad—but colored artwork isn't always well suited for black-and-white reproduction, and Portacio's art is a little hash-marky for B&W.
#11: "To Topple the Kingpin" Script: Mike Baron, Layout: Whilce Portacio, Finishes: Scott Williams, Letters: Ken Bruzenak, Editor: Carl Potts, Under a Heavy Load: Tom DeFalco.
The Punisher goes after the Kingpin after routing a youth gang in a high school. Building his own Able Team, he enlists the help of Microchip ("Buckminster Fuller's my idol."), a high school student, a chemistry teacher, and too-fleeting love interest Conchita Ortiz. Meanwhile, the Kingpin brings in the specialist Mr. Kliegg.
"Escalation" Script: Mike Baron, Layout: Whilce Portacio, Finished Art: Scott Williams, Letters: Ken Bruzenak, Editor: Carl Potts, Editor with Ammo: Tom DeFalco.
Kliegg is quickly defeated, so the Kingpin turns to a high-school computer hacker, the Board, who discovers the computer bug planted by Microchip. The team takes their fight to the King's Inn, a hotel in which the Kingpin has momentarily moved his operations. "The Kingpin's got some kind of battle bus!"
The issue also includes a one-page pin up by Dan Reed, and a letter column, "Shoot Your Mouth Off!"
Read Also: The Punisher Magazine #6, 9, and 10. (Unless the issue reference captions went un-edited from the original comics, in which case, read also The Punisher #6, 9, and 10.)
I don't understand why they published The Punisher Magazine. I always thought the reason to go magazine format was to bypass restrictions from the Comics Code Authority, to do things you couldn't do in a comic book. You also benefit from a larger page size and the rich moodiness enabled by black and white on newsprint—perfect for horror and adventure.
As Marvel's answer to Mack Bolan, the Punisher seemed ripe for a more mature newsstand magazine, like the mid-'80s Savage Tales. But this wasn't it. Instead, the magazine reprinted issues of the comic book (these two issue reprint #15-18). That's fine—the comic's not bad—but colored artwork isn't always well suited for black-and-white reproduction, and Portacio's art is a little hash-marky for B&W.
#11: "To Topple the Kingpin" Script: Mike Baron, Layout: Whilce Portacio, Finishes: Scott Williams, Letters: Ken Bruzenak, Editor: Carl Potts, Under a Heavy Load: Tom DeFalco.
The Punisher goes after the Kingpin after routing a youth gang in a high school. Building his own Able Team, he enlists the help of Microchip ("Buckminster Fuller's my idol."), a high school student, a chemistry teacher, and too-fleeting love interest Conchita Ortiz. Meanwhile, the Kingpin brings in the specialist Mr. Kliegg.
"Escalation" Script: Mike Baron, Layout: Whilce Portacio, Finished Art: Scott Williams, Letters: Ken Bruzenak, Editor: Carl Potts, Editor with Ammo: Tom DeFalco.
Kliegg is quickly defeated, so the Kingpin turns to a high-school computer hacker, the Board, who discovers the computer bug planted by Microchip. The team takes their fight to the King's Inn, a hotel in which the Kingpin has momentarily moved his operations. "The Kingpin's got some kind of battle bus!"
The issue also includes a one-page pin up by Dan Reed, and a letter column, "Shoot Your Mouth Off!"
Read Also: The Punisher Magazine #6, 9, and 10. (Unless the issue reference captions went un-edited from the original comics, in which case, read also The Punisher #6, 9, and 10.)
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