Jonny Quest #2 (Comico, July 1986, $1.50)
"Enter Race Bannon" Writer: William F. Messner-Loebs, Penciller: Wendy Pini, Inker: Joe Staton, Letter: Joe Pinana, Colorist: Rick Taylor, Editor: Diana Schutz.
Be sure to take a look at that credit line again. I found the creative team of this issue to be mind-blowingly spectacular, and if that group of three doesn't make up some kind of independent comics power trio, I don't know who would. This Hanna-Barbera cartoon tie-in comic was written and drawn by some of the more impressive independent comics creators of that era. Thank you, Diana Schutz, for bringing those creators together!
In her editorial, Schutz says a little about the intent behind the issue: "In the original run of Jonny Quest, ... we never did learn how Race Bannon came to be a part of the Quest team -- nor was mention ever made of Jonny's mother." Messner-Loebs's stort amends those gaps.
Jonny's mother is introduced as a lively counterbalance to his more sober and studious father. She becomes ill and lapses into a coma, and Bannon is an agent assigned to protect the family from terrorists. There are several extremely touching scenes in the comic focusing on Judith Waterston and her relationship with her husband and son, particularly pages 7, 11, and 17. Bannon's first impression, then, though heroic, is as sympathetic and comical as it is strong or powerful in its intent (p. 19).
For the most part, Pini and Staton's artwork stays true to the cartoon character designs and overall style, but occasional glimpses of their other work pops through here and there. This isn't Elfquest or E-Man, but I love that those two creators had their hands at this series.
The issue also includes a pinup by Adam Kubert and a two-page letter column containing seven letters of comment. One of those letters was penned by T.M. Maple.
Availability: This comic has not been collected. We also recommend the original cartoon.
Showing posts with label 1978. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1978. Show all posts
Sunday, December 08, 2019
Thursday, January 03, 2019
Resonant of Poe
The House of Secrets #149 (DC, December/January 1977/1978, 35 cents)
"The Rain Dance" Editing/Plot: Paul Levitz, Story: J. Cheever Loophole, Art: Bill Draut, Color: Liz Berube.
This eight-page story, following a one-page bookend drawn by Michael Golden, was written by Michael Uslan using a pseudonym. Racist residents of a small town in the supposed midwest go into the mountains to invade an Indian village and persuade the medicine man to help their struggling crops.
The shaman reluctantly dances, bringing on a rain of blood, as well as a large vampire bat—captured well on the cover by Mike Kaluta. The "blood-sucking spirit of death" targets the old and young, as well, prompting the townies to try to destroy the bat with fire. Instead, they destroy their town.
"The Evil One" Story: Jack Oleck, Art: Ricardo Villamonte, Color: Liz Berube, Editing: Paul Levitz.
Another eight pager, this story tells the tale of Paul Craven. After his uncle kills his father and gets away with the crime, the young man is raised by the "old miser." Seeking the assistance of Old Peg, a local witch, Craven eventually summons Satan and acquires his assistance killing his uncle in such a way that "no one will ever find his corpse."
The ending is a little resonant of Poe. When authorities find a body, Craven thinks it's his uncle and confesses. But, the body isn't his uncle's—it's someone else entirely, and Craven is institutionalized.
Publisher Jenette Kahn's publishorial "It's a Mystery..." discusses the late-'70s resurgence of horror and suspense titles. Bob Layton is featured in a DC Profile. A one-page "The House of Secrets Speaks" lettercol features four letters of comment.
Availability: Chances are good that this issue's material is included in House of Secrets: The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 1.
"The Rain Dance" Editing/Plot: Paul Levitz, Story: J. Cheever Loophole, Art: Bill Draut, Color: Liz Berube.
This eight-page story, following a one-page bookend drawn by Michael Golden, was written by Michael Uslan using a pseudonym. Racist residents of a small town in the supposed midwest go into the mountains to invade an Indian village and persuade the medicine man to help their struggling crops.
The shaman reluctantly dances, bringing on a rain of blood, as well as a large vampire bat—captured well on the cover by Mike Kaluta. The "blood-sucking spirit of death" targets the old and young, as well, prompting the townies to try to destroy the bat with fire. Instead, they destroy their town.
"The Evil One" Story: Jack Oleck, Art: Ricardo Villamonte, Color: Liz Berube, Editing: Paul Levitz.
Another eight pager, this story tells the tale of Paul Craven. After his uncle kills his father and gets away with the crime, the young man is raised by the "old miser." Seeking the assistance of Old Peg, a local witch, Craven eventually summons Satan and acquires his assistance killing his uncle in such a way that "no one will ever find his corpse."
The ending is a little resonant of Poe. When authorities find a body, Craven thinks it's his uncle and confesses. But, the body isn't his uncle's—it's someone else entirely, and Craven is institutionalized.
Publisher Jenette Kahn's publishorial "It's a Mystery..." discusses the late-'70s resurgence of horror and suspense titles. Bob Layton is featured in a DC Profile. A one-page "The House of Secrets Speaks" lettercol features four letters of comment.
Availability: Chances are good that this issue's material is included in House of Secrets: The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 1.
Wednesday, February 07, 2018
Age-Appropriate Adventures
Spidey Super Stories #2 (Marvel, November 1974, 35 cents)
"In the Hands of the Hunter" Writer: Jean Thomas; Artists: Winslow Mortimer, Don Heck, and Mike Esposito; Editor: Roy Thomas; Art Director: John Romita. (13 pages)
Presented by Marvel Comics and The Electric Company, a production of the Children's Television Workshop, this ad-free (!!!) comic book aimed at readers age 6-10 was based on the recurring live-action skit featured on the TV show. It ran 57 issues between 1974 and 1982, living beyond the skit on TV—which ended in 1976-1977.
Written by Jean Thomas, who also wrote Night Nurse, the comic book was thoroughly vetted by the CTW to be sure it was true to the TV show, was age appropriate in terms of content and reading level, and featured female characters. In early issues, a story adapted one of the TV segments, and in many issues, Spider-Man was paired with a well-known Marvel hero or villain to introduce that character to younger readers and viewers. (Similar to the Marvel Heroes and Marvel Ultimate Spider-Man magazines published by Redan today.)
In this issue, Spidey and Jennifer of the Jungle encounter Kraven the Hunter after a film shoot. Kraven takes the web slinger prisoner, and Jennifer—with her friend Paul the Gorilla—go to rescue him. The writing is very simple, and the artwork larger-paneled (most pages with fewer than six panels)—but not quite coloring-book basic.
In the five-page "very short comic book ... as seen on The Electric Company" story "Spidey Vs. Mr. Measles," Spider-Man "meets the meanest menace of all," a man plans to throw spots at people so they get the measles. "Then everybody will have to stay in bed... in the dark, where they can't read!"
"The Long Arms of the Law-Breaker" (12 pages) pits Spidey against Doctor Octopus. The issue also features several one-page items: "The Secrets of Spider-Man's Costume," "Let's Pay a Visit to Peter Parker's Place," "Let's See Some More of Peter Parker's Place," and "Reader Vs. Speeder," which features Electric Company character Easy Reader.
"In the Hands of the Hunter" Writer: Jean Thomas; Artists: Winslow Mortimer, Don Heck, and Mike Esposito; Editor: Roy Thomas; Art Director: John Romita. (13 pages)
Presented by Marvel Comics and The Electric Company, a production of the Children's Television Workshop, this ad-free (!!!) comic book aimed at readers age 6-10 was based on the recurring live-action skit featured on the TV show. It ran 57 issues between 1974 and 1982, living beyond the skit on TV—which ended in 1976-1977.
Written by Jean Thomas, who also wrote Night Nurse, the comic book was thoroughly vetted by the CTW to be sure it was true to the TV show, was age appropriate in terms of content and reading level, and featured female characters. In early issues, a story adapted one of the TV segments, and in many issues, Spider-Man was paired with a well-known Marvel hero or villain to introduce that character to younger readers and viewers. (Similar to the Marvel Heroes and Marvel Ultimate Spider-Man magazines published by Redan today.)
In this issue, Spidey and Jennifer of the Jungle encounter Kraven the Hunter after a film shoot. Kraven takes the web slinger prisoner, and Jennifer—with her friend Paul the Gorilla—go to rescue him. The writing is very simple, and the artwork larger-paneled (most pages with fewer than six panels)—but not quite coloring-book basic.
In the five-page "very short comic book ... as seen on The Electric Company" story "Spidey Vs. Mr. Measles," Spider-Man "meets the meanest menace of all," a man plans to throw spots at people so they get the measles. "Then everybody will have to stay in bed... in the dark, where they can't read!"
"The Long Arms of the Law-Breaker" (12 pages) pits Spidey against Doctor Octopus. The issue also features several one-page items: "The Secrets of Spider-Man's Costume," "Let's Pay a Visit to Peter Parker's Place," "Let's See Some More of Peter Parker's Place," and "Reader Vs. Speeder," which features Electric Company character Easy Reader.
Thursday, December 21, 2017
A Human Secret Weapon
Steel, the Indestructible Man #2 (DC, April 1978, 35 cents)
"The Monster Who Mined Miracles" Written and created: Gerry Conway, Designed and drawn: Don Heck, Inker: Vinnie Colletta, Letterer: Ben Oda, Colorist: Adriene Roy, Editor: Allen Milgrom.
This is a strange little comic series; it only ran five issues before cancellation. In the late 1930s, Hank Heywood is injured while preventing an act of sabotage, and is reconstructed "using the miraculous bio-retardant formula." Think Captain America meets the Six Million Dollar Man. Yet somehow, Dr. Gilbert Giles doesn't quite make the connection between the rebuilt Heywood and the emergence of the "costumed vigilante" Steel.
A Doctor Moag demonstrates his transmutation machine to Baron Toten, an industrialist with an allegiance to the motherland. Tumbling into the Omega Field, Moag is reborn as Mineral Master.
During a demonstration of his capabilities "for the Army brass," Steel hopes to convince the war department "of my usefulness as a human 'secret weapon.'" He encounters Mineral Master, "like something out of a Gernsback science fiction magazine!" They fight—"worse'n that 'War of the Worlds' radio show!"
A one-page article "Steel Filings" details how Steel was created and why. It's a little too similar to Captain America or Fighting American for me. At times, Heck's artwork gets a little Ditko-esque (p. 6, panel 4; p. 15 in its entirety), but otherwise, there's little to recommend this title.
Availability: Steel has not been reprinted or collected. Back issues are available from Lone Star and Mile High. The original Fighting American has been collected.
"The Monster Who Mined Miracles" Written and created: Gerry Conway, Designed and drawn: Don Heck, Inker: Vinnie Colletta, Letterer: Ben Oda, Colorist: Adriene Roy, Editor: Allen Milgrom.
This is a strange little comic series; it only ran five issues before cancellation. In the late 1930s, Hank Heywood is injured while preventing an act of sabotage, and is reconstructed "using the miraculous bio-retardant formula." Think Captain America meets the Six Million Dollar Man. Yet somehow, Dr. Gilbert Giles doesn't quite make the connection between the rebuilt Heywood and the emergence of the "costumed vigilante" Steel.
A Doctor Moag demonstrates his transmutation machine to Baron Toten, an industrialist with an allegiance to the motherland. Tumbling into the Omega Field, Moag is reborn as Mineral Master.
During a demonstration of his capabilities "for the Army brass," Steel hopes to convince the war department "of my usefulness as a human 'secret weapon.'" He encounters Mineral Master, "like something out of a Gernsback science fiction magazine!" They fight—"worse'n that 'War of the Worlds' radio show!"
A one-page article "Steel Filings" details how Steel was created and why. It's a little too similar to Captain America or Fighting American for me. At times, Heck's artwork gets a little Ditko-esque (p. 6, panel 4; p. 15 in its entirety), but otherwise, there's little to recommend this title.
Availability: Steel has not been reprinted or collected. Back issues are available from Lone Star and Mile High. The original Fighting American has been collected.
Monday, December 11, 2017
Seeking Help from Dr. Faustus
Marvel Super Action #9 (Marvel, August 1978, 35 cents)
"If the Past Be Not Dead" Script: Stan Lee, Pencils: Jack Kirby, Inks: Syd Shores, Letters: Artie Simek.
My coverless copy of this reprint book offering again the November 1968 Captain America #107 is also missing several pages. This review is based on only 13 of the 18-page story, already two pages shorter than the original publication.
Without Captain America's awareness, Dr. Faustus has prescribed him a nightmare tablet every evening in order to drive him mad. Already coping with the many changes that occurred while he "was in suspended animation for two decades," Steve Rogers is seeing people he knows on the street: a Sharon Carter lookalike and a police officer who looks like the Red Skull.
Seeking help from Dr. Faustus, Rogers is taken prisoner by Nazis—only to be revived by Faustus. "Snap out of it!" Prescribing more pills, Faustus plans to end his "little game" that night. Rogers wakes to find himself aged, now elderly. "I've grown old—overnight!" Bucky arrives to enlist the elderly Cap to stop enemy agents "try to steal our new missile plane!" To Faustus and his lackeys' surprise, Rogers mind is not yet broken and shattered.
What an awesome story. This is why you should read coverless comics when you come across them. Who knows what you'll find. Kirby's artwork is wonderful: four-panel pages (p. 7 and p. 14), p. 11's Red Skull, the Nazis on p. 13, the elderly Rogers on pp. 21-23 (astounding with a page turn!), and pp. 27-28—and that's not even the complete comic! This is a great issue.
Marvel Super Action was an odd little reprint book that lasted 38 issues. After a 1976 non-reprint black-and-white one-shot magazine, the 1977 series reprinted Captain America starting with #100 before changing to Avengers reprints to pick up where Marvel Triple Action left off. Unfortunately, the reprints often shortened the original stories—so even if reprint book back issues are less expensive, you sometimes won't get the full experience, coverless or otherwise.
Availability: Captain America #107 has also been reprinted in Essential Captain America, Vol. 2, Marvel Masterworks: Captain America - Volume 3, and Captain America Omnibus, Vol. 1.
"If the Past Be Not Dead" Script: Stan Lee, Pencils: Jack Kirby, Inks: Syd Shores, Letters: Artie Simek.
My coverless copy of this reprint book offering again the November 1968 Captain America #107 is also missing several pages. This review is based on only 13 of the 18-page story, already two pages shorter than the original publication.
Without Captain America's awareness, Dr. Faustus has prescribed him a nightmare tablet every evening in order to drive him mad. Already coping with the many changes that occurred while he "was in suspended animation for two decades," Steve Rogers is seeing people he knows on the street: a Sharon Carter lookalike and a police officer who looks like the Red Skull.
Seeking help from Dr. Faustus, Rogers is taken prisoner by Nazis—only to be revived by Faustus. "Snap out of it!" Prescribing more pills, Faustus plans to end his "little game" that night. Rogers wakes to find himself aged, now elderly. "I've grown old—overnight!" Bucky arrives to enlist the elderly Cap to stop enemy agents "try to steal our new missile plane!" To Faustus and his lackeys' surprise, Rogers mind is not yet broken and shattered.
What an awesome story. This is why you should read coverless comics when you come across them. Who knows what you'll find. Kirby's artwork is wonderful: four-panel pages (p. 7 and p. 14), p. 11's Red Skull, the Nazis on p. 13, the elderly Rogers on pp. 21-23 (astounding with a page turn!), and pp. 27-28—and that's not even the complete comic! This is a great issue.
Marvel Super Action was an odd little reprint book that lasted 38 issues. After a 1976 non-reprint black-and-white one-shot magazine, the 1977 series reprinted Captain America starting with #100 before changing to Avengers reprints to pick up where Marvel Triple Action left off. Unfortunately, the reprints often shortened the original stories—so even if reprint book back issues are less expensive, you sometimes won't get the full experience, coverless or otherwise.
Availability: Captain America #107 has also been reprinted in Essential Captain America, Vol. 2, Marvel Masterworks: Captain America - Volume 3, and Captain America Omnibus, Vol. 1.
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