"Stan Lee Meets the Silver Surfer"

WORTH CONSUMING!

How sweet it is to here from the Surfer’s creator that the Surfer sure is dull. Good grief. I have never been a fan of Silver Surfer. I know being a FF fan that is almost blasphemy, but I really could do without all the new age mumbo-jumbo of Jack Kirby in the late 60’s.

There’s a really good reprint of a Spidey- Surfer Marvel Team-Up included, plus some fun tributes to Stan Lee’s 50 years in comics.

"what the?! (regular series) Issue #17"

NOT WORTH CONSUMING

The period of 1988-1994 in the world of Marvel Comics was gritty vigilante. I hated it. It almost put my entirely off comics. Thankfully, had my collection not been stolen and I decided to go into baseball cards- I think the speculation of comics would have sent me over the edge, and I would be rating Topps Turkey Red 2007 right.

Thankfully, the 2000’s came with Ultimate Universe and Marvel Adventures and that whole period changed.

So if you want to relive the hayday of every issue guest starring Wolverine or Punisher- have at it.

For me- Make Mine NOT WORTH CONSUMING!!

"what the?! (regular series) Issue #14"

WORTH CONSUMING!

Ok- to be honest, I don’t remember anything about this issue. I know I didn’t hate it. So to be fair, I will give it a worth consuming- but not all 10 stars.

"300" by Frank Miller

Sin City- there’s obvious genius there. Even some brilliance is shining through in Ronin, but 300 left me flat. Maybe it was the hype from the movie, but to me, it’s like getting the latest Bruce Springsteen CD- its good- but the magic that made the Boss and in this case Frank Miller has gone.

I really thought (Spoiler Alert) that the 300 won. I also thought there was a big climatic pushing of Savages off a cliff- well neither was present in my version. Did I get some super sucky version?

Don’t get me wrong- the book started off great. It just didn’t carry any of the hype of the movie. And for me, that was a big letdown. Plus the ending was like that of Terminator or Castaway- just too gosh darn open ended. I hate that.

So, guys, if you want Classic Frank Miller, read an old issue of Daredevil instead.

Not Worth Consuming.

"what the?!(regular series) Issue #12"

WORTH CONSUMING!

Another great issue- this one is an all-prehistoric issue- almost. I think one of the stories isn’t, but then again, there are really a lot of Caveman type stories that were tame enough for children bound to the comics code, would understand.

I really enjoy “What The…” theme issues, they tend to be the best.

 

Worth Consuming- CROM!

"what the?!(regular series) Issue #11"

WORTH CONSUMING!

This one is a much better issue. She-Hulk (Series 2) was one of the diamonds in the rough during the lag of comics in the early 90’s. It was funny, chic ,and fun. And “What The…” does a great parody.

Another great Bud’s Suds story, too.

"what the?!(regular series) Issue #9"

A parody of Marvel Comics Presents, this epitomizes the lameness of 90’s comics. The jokes and stuff and really topical and for someone like me who remembers the comics of 1988-1995- this brings back some painful memories.

"what the?!(regular series) Issue #8"

WORTH CONSUMING!

It’s a very good issue- funny. Not the best, but not the worst either.

Kitchen Science: A Guide to Knowing the Hows and Whys for Fun and Success in the Kitchen

Why I gave up consuming "Kitchen Science: A Guide to Knowing the Hows and Whys for Fun and Success in the Kitchen":

It just was taking too long and got kinda boring to me. I really think this 1st chapter intimidated me, because while it’s necessary to cook food with the right utensils, I will never have all of them in my house. So I just kinda wimped out and gave up.

"Into Hot Air: Another "Novel" by Chris Elliott"

WORTH CONSUMING!

I am probably the only fan of Chris Elliot. I loved Get A Life and actually hated that it was cancelled. (the show is also the reason why I am a fan of R.E.M.) The book was great fun. A tad gross at times, but I am used to Chris going over the edge. He ate Dog Food on Letterman once- and LOVED IT!

I want to read his first book. I didn’t know he was now a writer.

For a quick read and a chuckle or two- this book is worth Consuming!

"what the?!(regular series) Issue #6"

Ok- it’s starting to get a little stale. I know that Smacks of Vengeance is a parody of the Acts of Vengeance storyline- but had I not gone to Wikipedia, I would not have a clue as to what that storyline was even about. Also, from reading these issues, I am becoming ever so much gladder that I am a DEESEE fan, instead of MARBLE. (Inside Joke- as in Inside the book). I am really glad that I gave up being an X-Men fan- it’s just too confusing.

(But I will never stop loving Excalibur- that will never stop, it’s too gosh darn funny!)

"what the?!(regular series) Issue #5"

WORTH CONSUMING!

Okay- parody needs to be consumed in the frame of time it’s meant to be placed. It’s a very topical sense of humor. A lot of these jokes were over my head 17 years ago when this was first published, because I knew little about artists and writers and such. Nowadays, these jokes are funny. However, I don’t think that a first time comics fans would understand much of the jokes in this series because many of these titles that poke fun at no longer exist. How many 13 year olds know who Quasar is? How many know that a member of Alpha Flight was gay? And how many folks understand that a John Byrne revamp is not necessarily a good thing?

So, I would say this is worth consuming- but only if you are enough of an expert to understand Comics books in the late 80’s to early 90’s.

"what the?!(regular series) Issue #4"

WORTH CONSUMING!

This is the last issue- sorta. See, Marvel only did 4 issues at first, but it became such a big hit, that they ended up doing more issues. But instead of starting with Issue 1, Vol. 2- Marvel just continued the series.

It’s kinda confusing- and heck, it confounded me for a while until I read issue 5- So, I will see you there.

 

"Dave Barry's History of the Millennium (So Far)"

WORTH CONSUMING!

Dave Barry is a riot. I love his sense of humor and though you can tell he’s a Democrat- he clearly shows a lack of love for them at times- because hey, both sides are bone heads.

I’m glad books like these still come out, because I miss having his columns in our paper. It was the only reason I would read it- well that and Foxtrot and now I hear he has retired too.

"Secret Origins: Featuring the JLA"

WORTH CONSUMING!

A nice addition to the Secret Origins series- this time focusing on the JLA version of the Justice League. 7 great stories- with the Green Lantern tale being the best. Strangely, J’onn J’onzz in absent from this volume in more ways than one. He doesn’t have an origin tale and he speaks maybe 10 words in the JLA origin story.

Still, without it, it is very much worth consuming!

"what the?!(regular series) Issue #7"

WORTH CONSUMING!

I remember reading this when it first came out over 27 years ago. I loved it then and it’s not changed. This is a classic issue. Though, I feel like some really cruddy characters were used instead of more true blue super heroes. Also, this is a rare issue that really points out how lame DC was in the late 80’s with its version of Justice League- whatever it was. Booster Gold, I can go with, but Fire, Ice Maiden, and Blue Beetle as the best America had to offer to save the day? It’s a wonder we weren’t conquered by the French!

"Star Wars: A Long Time Ago..., Book 7: Far, Far Away"

WORTH CONSUMING!

 

Superman: The Bottle City of Kandor

WORTH CONSUMING!

The stories are top quality. However, as in several other Superman TPBs, there are several stories that I have read reprinted in other volumes. Sadly, some tales have been put through the ringer so much, if it was a TV show, I could put in on mute and be able to recite the dialogue verbatim.

DC- you guys really need to get better at selecting tales that don’t overlap other collections.

Worth Consuming- but I am taking away one star.

"what the?!(regular series) Issue #1"

WORTH CONSUMING!

Think Mad Magazine, only in color and all about Marvel (and sometimes DC) Comics and Super Heroes. Very Juvenile, but it was a classic when I was around the ages of 10-12. And in my collection, I just felt that the entire series was something that just could not be omitted.

Fun stuff, somewhat is dated to the comics industry of the time- so the humor is topical and not for everyone. Still, worth consuming.

"Star Wars: A Long Time Ago..., Book 6: Wookiee World"

WORTH CONSUMING!

Not having the Empire for an (major) enemy sucks. The Nagali are bad, but they are a cross between the Sandman and Robert Smith of the Cure- and thus not scary. In fact, every time they appear in one of these issues, I expect them to start singing “Pictures of You” at Luke, Leia, and the rest.

The end of the run is coming and sadly, the art is getting very sloppy. Thankfully, the stories are still fairly well written. But, now with one volume to go, I am getting sad to see it all come to an end.

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (The Official Comics Version)

WORTH CONSUMING!

Beautiful color job- I think it was water color. Of the 3 adaptations, Jedi lacked the most plotlines, esp. when Leia meets Wicket. And there’s no “Director’s Cut” material covered in this.

For those who are collecting the 7 volumes of Star Wars: A Long Time Ago, you MUST OWN this book, because Jedi is for some reason left out of the anthology of Marvel Comics Star Wars tales.

 

"Ultimate Spider-Man Vol. 18: Ultimate Knights (v. 18)"

WORTH CONSUMING!

Now that Aunt May knows, Parker seems to get a free pass to do whatever he wants. I think this series loses something when this happens. Since at the time I read this volume 19 is not ready for print yet, I am forced to wonder what effects this will have on Ultimate Spidey. I hope the reveal didn’t make this great series jump the shark.

"Fool's Bounty (Star Wars: A Long Time Ago..., Book 5)"

WORTH CONSUMING!

It seems like it’s taking longer to get from Empire to Jedi than it did to get from New Hope to Empire in terms of the number of issues. Also, buyer beware- the adaptation of Jedi is not included in this book so you’ll have to find it used if you want to have the entire original Marvel run. (I got one for $1.99 on ebay in pretty good condition for a library book) Yes- I know it was a limited edition series, but it’s still a vital chapter in the lore of Star Wars.

"Star Wars: A Long Time Ago..., Book 4: Screams in the Void"

WORTH CONSUMING!

The Hoojibs came a lot sooner than I thought. I had a book on record (yes I am that old) called Planet of the Hoojibs, and I really thought it was a story that came after ROTJ. I should have realized that they were trying to find a new base to hide from the Empire, so it had to happen after Hoth. Who knew????

Great stories here, but not having Han hurts. Using him in flashbacks for a couple of stories is genius.

 

"Ultimate Spider-Man, Vol. 17: Clone Saga"

WORTH CONSUMING!

It’s a bit on the confusing side for me to make this a 5 star volume. Though I really enjoy the web of continuity amongst the many stars of the Ultimate Universe which I prefer over the 616 universe which has been marred by the Civil War. Plus, you don’t have to wait (SPOILER ALERT) 30+ years for Aunt May to find out Peter Parker is Spiderman (which was bound to happen since everyone else knows who he is).

Worth Consuming- Oh yes, and in answer to an previous nit- Peter is not Jewish and he admits saying “Oy!” all the time is annoying. Not What about his habit of saying “Woof”?