"Secret Origins (3rd Series, 1986-90) Issue #8"

 

WORTH CONSUMING!

This issue focuses on the golden age hero Doll Man and the modern heroine, Shadow Lass (from Legion of Super Heroes). Doll Man’s story is similar to the Atom of the Silver Age, but I like this story very much, even if Doll Man is the dumbest name for a super hero. (As well as being the owner of the dumbest costume ever.) The Shadow Lass story, on the other hand, I didn’t like so much. The story seemed old, like I have heard it before. The plot really is like Willow or Legend. It just seemed to be a stale origin and for that, issue 8 only gets 8 out of a possible 10 in my book (and 4 stars in yours).

Secret Origins (3rd Series, 1986-90) Issue #7

This issue focuses on the Green Lantern’s of earth, primarily Guy Gardner and the origin of the Golden age Sandman.

Both are classics. Again, Sandman is a figure who never had an origin until now, and thanks to Roy Thomas.

For those of you who might have enjoyed issue 5, The Crimson Avenger, you must check out this issue as he is a main character and much of his origin is expounded on here.

Worth Consuming.

   

 

"Secret Origins (3rd Series, 1986-90) Issue #6"

 

 

WORTH CONSUMING!

Issue six starts a new format of featuring 2 heroes and being 52 pages. I have no problems with this. The only detractor is the Halo story. Halo, another DC character I am not familiar with, was weak, and I did not like the barbecued cat scene.

Still the Batman (of the golden age) story was great and kept this from being a not worth consuming tale.

A review of "Secret Origins (3rd Series, 1986-90) Issue #5"

WORTH CONSUMING!

This issue covers a super hero I am not at all familiar with. However, his story is not very different from the Shadow or Green Hornet. What makes this story different? Besides the fact that Crimson has never had his origin revealed till now, Thomas uses the Orson Welles “War of the Worlds” Halloween broadcast as a back drop for this amazing story.

Consume it!

"Secret Origins (3rd Series, 1986-90) Issue #4"

I’ve always been a fan of Firestorm, one of my top favorite characters of all-time. But I must have only known the kid friendly origin as this issue focuses on the life of Prof. Stein and the hardships he endured that lead to his fusion with Ronnie Raymond.

Worth Consuming.

"Secret Origins (3rd Series, 1986-90) Issue #3

WORTH CONSUMING!

Issue three is a fascinating look into the origin of the Big Red Cheese. For a character I tend to dislike due to his actions in “Kingdom Come” and the fact that he’s a Superman wannabe, to like this issue so much says a lot about the series and the work of Roy Thomas. Plus, Thomas’ history lesson about Shazam and the whole scandal over the name of Captain Marvel is really cool. Consume it or become an evildoer!!!!!

"Secret Origins (3rd Series, 1986-90) Issue #2"

WORTH CONSUMING!

In issue 2, we learn about the secret origins of the first and second Blue Beetles. Originally a character owned by Charlton Comics, right before the Crisis, DC Comics purchased the rights to the Beetle and several other super heroes from the competitor. This issue was released as a preview for the Blue Beetle regular series DC was getting ready to release in late 1986. It’s a fun ride, with a few chops in it, but still worth consuming.

  

"Secret Origins (3rd Series, 1986-90) Issue #1"

WORTH CONSUMING!

This is a great story about the origin of the original, 1938 Superman. Done as a tie-in to Crisis, you can find many errors in this story, but it’s still enjoyable. For someone familiar with the first 4 issues of Action Comics, you may be surprised by the language, but it’s a SUPER ret-con! The original Siegel and Schuster never before seen artwork is a fitting tribute. And unlike other DC fans, I like reading the Secret Origins of Secret Origins page as I enjoy reading about the history and background of not only the heroes, but that of their creators too. Consume it!

Secret Origins (TPB)

WORTH CONSUMING!

This trade is a great introduction to the awesome 54 issue series from DC Comics of the same name. I recently complete my collection of these tales and started out reading the series by reading this TPB, that includes 4 reprinted tales from the series, a Superman story from “Man of Steel” by John Byrne, and a never before published tale of Batman by Dennis O’Neill (which is the basis for Batman Begins – Alone With Batman: Year One)

I skipped the 4 S.O. reprints, since I will be reading them real soon! Consume it!

"Superman Returns: The Prequels"

WORTH CONSUMING!

DC published this series of 4 one-shots that are supposed to shed light and major bits of information cut from scenes omitted the movie “Superman Returns”. Sadly, all you get are 4 really good stories, especially the Krypton tale. You’re better off reading SR: the official movie adaption if you’re looking for key clues as to why Superman left the earth for 5 years.

Still for the stories and artwork alone, it’s worth consuming.

Catwoman: Selina's Big Score

NOT WORTH CONSUMING

This book is a major disappointment. I love Darwyn Cooke’s stuff, but this book just isn’t up to snuff. It was as confusing as “Get Shorty”, with hard to understand past histories, this character backstabbing this other guy, the introduction of additional characters without any backstory. It’s just a big jumble, and with Selina Kyle starting off the story being “dead”, there’s no recap to help a casual reader of Catwoman tales, like myself, to understand what’s going on.

I say Don’t Consume It!!!

"The Marvel Saga: Issues 1-25 (Entire Limited Series Run)"

WORTH CONSUMING!

A great series. I remember reading some of these issues as a kid and only recently got the whole series (as a 7th year anniversary present-Thanks babe!!!) Puts the events of the Marvel Universe in perspective, not by the issues published, but how events fall on the Marvel Time-Line: From the Creation of the Marvel Universe up till the arrival of Galactus. The first 21 issues are a perfect fit. However, the editor for the series left after #21 and for the last 4 issues, the timeline method is thrown out the window, and focus narrows to Spiderman (issue 22) to the Fantastic Four (issues 23-25), with any loose ends tied up in the span of 4 very sloppy pages. Ends on a high note with the Watcher being revealed as the narrator. Actual rating 9.5 out of 10 stars. But very much worth consuming!!!- Nuff Said.

"The Marvel Saga (Limited Series) Issue #25"

The final issue of this limited series; focuses on the Galactus Arrival to the Marvel Universe. While the story is interesting, the series ends very quickly, with very little respect given to the characters and any closure is out the window.

"The Marvel Saga (Limited Series) Issue #23"

This issue resolves the cliffhanger in issue 21. However, instead of exploring the history of that time period of Marvel’s storied history, the book focuses on the Fantastic Four’s first meetings with the Inhumans. While I love the FF, I’ve never been a fan of Kirby’s Inhumans (which later will become DC’s New Gods- ALSO, NOT A FAN OF). Anyway, the focus on the Inhumans, plus the lack of focus to stay with the Comic Series original outline makes this a little more than 4 star consumption; the rating for this is not a perfect 5!

 

Worth Consuming.

"The Marvel Saga (Limited Series) Issue #22"

WORTH CONSUMING!

In honor of the Marriage between Peter Parker (Spiderman) and Mary Jane Watson, Marvel devoted an entire issue of the Marvel Saga to the stormy history between these two love birds.

A huge skip from being the entire history of the Marvel Era, as the previous issue left with a cliffhanger involving Dr. Doom and the wedding of Reed Richards and Sue Storm of the Fantastic Four.

 

Note: So where's issues 2-21. Well, at the time, I was really only putting trades and hardback comics in my reading journal. Sometime around the finishing of this book, I decided to also put any standard comic book formatted book in my reading journal. Thus, the absence of those issues. But I did read them! Promise!)

"MARVEL MONSTERS: FROM THE FILES OF ULYSSES BLOODSTONE"

WORTH CONSUMING!

A novel idea from the House of Ideas. Ties in with the Marvel Monster Series. Sadly, the Godzilla comics from the 70’s are all but ignored.

"Oddly Enough: Unbelievably Outrageous but True Stories from the News"

WORTH CONSUMING!

This has been a bathroom book for me. So, when it’s time for my kitten Eddy to eat, I take him in the bathroom and read while he eats. That way, the other cats won’t bother him while he eats.

The stories in this book are true news stories. Some of which I remember, like the reporter from Africa who pretended to be in Iraq during the invasion, when he really was hiding out in the radio stations closet filing phony reports. Or Florida’s plan to arrest women who reveal more the 75% of their breasts or buttocks in public. It’s all here, ready for you to consume it… and have a good laugh.

"Road to Perdition"

WORTH CONSUMING!

Great story. Amazing visuals. Many of the panels have very thin lines, giving the effect of a mug shot, which leaves some very startling images in your mind. Some portraits look like they are from the ‘90s, not 1930. Also, be on the lookout for cameos of George Clooney, Orson Welles, Tom Hanks, and more. Don’t believe me, then read it and consume it for yourself!!!!!

"Runaways, Vol. 1"

WORTH CONSUMING!

I am convinced that it takes 3 issues for a comic book series to hit its intended stride. And once it does, like RUNAWAYS does truly, it’s a thrill a minute, don’t look back awesome series. Under no circumstances should you read ahead, you’ll miss out on some really great surprises. BKV is awesome, one of the best in the industry today- Heck All-Time!!! Worth Consuming!

"Elongated Man Europe '92 (Limited Series) #4 of 4"

NOT WORTH CONSUMING

 This limited series ends with a whimper. Which is really sad, since the character of Ralph Dibny (The World Famous Elongated Man) deserved his own series after years as a B-side story for title like Detective Comics and The Flash. Now we know why there will never be another EM series. Many plot twists are left dangling. Several questions are answered with more questions. And the reader in all this is so disgusted, he is left wanting NO more. The Series as a whole= don’t consume it! although, if you are willing to try all four issues can be bought on ebay for about a buck a pop, not bad for a 14 year old 4-issue series.

 

"Last Planet Standing #1"

WORTH CONSUMING!

Set in the future, this tale is the beginning chapter about the next generation of Marvel Heroes and their upcoming battle with Galactus. Very much worth consuming, unless you are a huge Shi’ar fan, then you’re in for a big disappointment.

"500 Comic Book Villains"

 

WORTH CONSUMING!

A good reference to villains you’ve never heard of. Mediocre about the ones you do know about. Spell check and a good editor is needed for this book. And it leaves out entries to important villains… No General Zod, Rha’s Al Ghul is briefly footnoted, and Fin Fang Foom is on the cover, but nowhere to be found. And some titles are overused. (I mean how many Judge Dredd villains do you need to know about anyway???)

There is a companion volume to this (500 Comic Book Heroes), but I do not know if I want to read it or not.

"Elongated Man Europe '92 (Limited Series) #3 of 4"

WORTH CONSUMING!

The best book in the series. Sadly, it takes a guest appearance by the Wally West Flash to save the day. And I really was sad to see him leave half-way through this issue, because the story goes back downhill afterwards.

"Weird U.S.: Your Travel Guide to America's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets (Weird)"

WORTH CONSUMING!

Some really cool spots in this book. Many I one day want to and will go to!!!! Great to read during Halloween time, because some of the stories of hauntings really freak you out. A great, but safe scare fest.

 

"The Goon Volume 3: Heaps Of Ruination"

WORTH CONSUMING!

Great stuff! I love it. One of the best series out there. Collection includes the continuing saga of the Buzzard and a Goon/ Hellboy cross-over which is awesome.

Worth Consuming!!!!

 

 

 

 

Captain America Vol. 3: Red Menace, Book One (v. 1)"

WORTH CONSUMING!

Capt  stories are the Comic Book equal to Tom Clancy or 24. Contains issues 15-17 and the 65th Anniversary special. Great Stuff. If you love America, you will consume this!

 

 

 

"Menopaws: The Silent Meow" — 2006

 

WORTH CONSUMING!

A cute 5 minute read. A selection my wife found for me to read at the library.