"The Sandman; vol. 4: Season of Mists"

The art of Hell was just too disturbing. The parts that don’t involve it are stunning and I prefer that. But Hades is too much like a HP Lovecraft orgy and it made me sick to my stomach just looking at it.

 Not worth Finishing!

"X-Men: Excalibur Classic, Vol. 3 - Cross Time Caper, Book 1 (v. 3, Bk. 1)"

WORTH CONSUMING!

There are a lot of missed opportunities in this series of issues. Instead of focusing on dozens of alternate timelines, Excalibur spends 2 or more issues on a single timeline and it makes the series become a little stale and not as fast paced as volumes 1 and 2.

  Now, the intro of Jamie Braddock is an interesting twist. This guy is EVIL and is a villain you love to hate. Great job, Claremont! And the Speed Racer and John Carter of Mars timelines were inspired.

 

"Batman Annual #18"

WORTH CONSUMING!

I had always heard that there is a secret picture beneath the Mona Lisa. This Elseworld story is built around the premise that the picture reveals a Medieval Batman. That story is really excellent as Leonardo Di Vinci recruits his pupil to adopt the Batman persona and rescue Mona Lisa from a Tyrant.

However, having that story tie-in with the real Batman was a cheap plot device. It should have had the Mona Lisa get robbed, but have someone else other than Batman recover it.

 I don’t know, maybe even that wouldn’t have worked. But because of the way it did unfold, I take away a star.

 

"Superman: The Man of Steel Annual #3"

WORTH CONSUMING!

This issue fits the Elseworlds mission statement to a t. “Where Familiar Characters are no longer familiar” In this reality, the Kryptonians are so unlike themselves that it’s a little disturbing. Jor-El and Co. being a bit like Stalin is like Vulcans being like Genghis Khan (ok- that’s what the Romulans are, but that’s beyond the point).

I liked this a lot better than Action Comics Annual 6, but I am not impressed with the Disney-like ending. So, it loses a star. Worth Consuming!

 

"The Ten-Cent Plague: The Great Comic-Book Scare and How It Changed America"

WORTH CONSUMING! 

If you are a die-hard comic book fan, this book might make you very upset at PTAs, Senate Judicial Hearings, Civic Groups, and Catholic Schools, with this retelling of the Horror Comics Scare and the many book burnings that happened as a result.

 This all happened in the late 40s and throughout the 50s. And it’s such a shock for a world devastated by the evils of Hitler to go half-cocked and do censorship and book burnings (A lot of this happened in the UK, but the focus in on the US). It makes someone who’s a big fan of the 50s, like myself, not want to visit that time period some much anymore, except to rescue a bunch of comic books!

But, despite these shortcomings, one must forgive all these groups that did wrong and focus on the real monster- a doctor by the name of Fredric Wertham- who surprise!- was a product of Nazi Germany!

 Great book, but it has a really tragic ending with the 8 pages of those who careers and livelihoods were ruin by that 1 evil man!

 

"Catwoman Comic Book Annual # 1 - 1994"

WORTH CONSUMING!

It’s a lot like the movie ENEMYMINE except it takes place in a Middle Earth type world and Batman and Catwoman are the archetypes. Great story and art. I was a tad disappointed at the ending.

X-Men: Excalibur Classic, Vol. 2 - Two-Edged Sword"

WORTH CONSUMING!

Excalibur just keeps getting better. The Inferno Storyline was pretty good- for a tie-in in which I know nothing about. The mystery of Widget deepens and the alternate Nazi victory timeline is awesome. No wonder I love Excalibur, it takes after some of my favorite storylines, What If…. and Elseworlds.

X-Men: Excalibur Classic, Vol. 1 - The Sword is Drawn

WORTH CONSUMING!

As a teenager, it was a treat to get Comic Book starter kits and find several copies of Excalibur inside. Nightcrawler is my all-time favorite X-Man, and Kitty Pryde is a close 3rd.

Full of absurdist humor, awesome inside jokes, and a flare for eliminating the fourth wall, this is my favorite mutant title.

"Detective Comics Batman Annual #7 (Elseworlds)"

WORTH CONSUMING!

Having read all of the 1994 Elseworld Annuals, this is the winner, my all-time favorite. Pirates of the Caribbean meet the Dark Knight.

Great art, really cool motifs and wood cutting-like designs. Great “pirate Shanties”. And the plot and melding of old and new is flawless from beginning to end.

If you all gonna pick an Elseworld Annual to read- this is IT!

Will Eisner's New York: Life in the Big City

WORTH CONSUMING!

For years, when I’ve read a book on the history of comics, I always hear of how Will Eisner is a genius. I’d always been skeptical… until now! This volume is a treasury of 5 books, each a work of art, well stylized, and truly entertaining.

Sometimes funny, often tragic, this book is a masterpiece and probably the best indy book I have ever read. (Very Close to Persepolis- I’m not sure)

 This is required reading!

Essential Godzilla (Marvel Essentials)

WORTH CONSUMING!

Despite the schlock, camp, and bizarre rubber animals, the Godzilla comic of the late 70s is actually some of the best to come out of the House of Ideas during what many consider to be a dry spell for comic books.

 I loved it. It was like finding a lost episode (or in this case movie script with story boards) in which Godzilla meets the Marvel Universe. This could so work as an animated feature. Might just be the fastest I have ever consumed a Marvel Essential treasury.

 

"Legionnaires, Annual 1"

WORTH CONSUMING!

Imagine the Legion of Super Heroes, if they were a futuristic off-shoot of King Arthur and the Round Table. It reminds me a lot of Camelot 2000, which is an all-time favorite of mine.

Great art and great dialogue abounds in this annual. A little ambiguity about if Earth was the setting of “Camelot” or if it were it were stationed in the planet’s orbit.

Still, Worth Consuming.

"Justice League America, Annual 8"

WORTH CONSUMING!

Felix Faust is one of those characters who are so absurd on paper and yet I don’t think there has ever been a bad story with him as the antagonist.

 In this story, Faust destroys the JLA and a mysterious benefactor works underground to create a replacement team. Of course there is a traitor, but you were smart enough to know that would happen. What ends up as Faust’s demise was unexpected and pretty cool. (Think the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark).

While not the best story ever created, it is enjoyable and a fun ride.

"Batman: Shadow of the Bat, Annual 2"

WORTH CONSUMING!

This issue is very similar to a Superman: The Animated Series episode in which an alternate timeline Superman becomes a tyrannical force who’s been poisoned by Luthor after an accident kills Lois Lane.

Now just replace Superman with Batman and Luthor with Scarecrow and there you have it. Though this is an oft-too used plot device, the art was stunning and the plot was quite good. I liked the ending especially, it had an old EC Comics horror story morality play ending that made those stories so gosh darn good.

 

"Batman: Shadow of the Bat, Annual 2"

WORTH CONSUMING!

This issue is very similar to a Superman: The Animated Series episode in which an alternate timeline Superman becomes a tyrannical force who’s been poisoned by Luthor after an accident kills Lois Lane.

Now just replace Superman with Batman and Luthor with Scarecrow and there you have it. Though this is an oft-too used plot device, the art was stunning and the plot was quite good. I liked the ending especially, it had an old EC Comics horror story morality play ending that made those stories so gosh darn good.

"ACTION COMICS ANNUAL, #6"

NOT WORTH CONSUMING

To have an opportunistic Kryptonian come to earth during the American Revolution and fight on the side of the British is near blasphemy! I don’t care how much an Elseworld this may be- the universe has constants and I think an American loving Superman is one of them. (Feeling this strongly does not bode well when I read Superman: Red Son in the future).

 Yes, having a “Superman” on the side of the British is a unique concept, but the Continental Congress just didn’t have a chance. Instead of Superman defeating America and thus becoming King of the British Empire of Earth, I would rather seen Superman win over the Brits and then become a power hungry king of America. I think the irony would have worked quite well.

But having an “evil” Superman isn’t the only thing about this issue I hate. I refuse to believe that if Britain won the Revolution, all progress in science, technology, and dress would have become stagnant as portrayed in this story. Also, there’s no Lex Luthor in this story. There should have been a real patriotic Lex to contrast the Imperialism of Superman.

Sadly, on many levels, this issue missed some golden opportunities.

"Steel, Annual #1"

WORTH CONSUMING!
To put Steel into an Anti-bellum setting was a stroke of genius. And to later tie in John Henry Irons with the John Henry of American folklore- that just capped a masterpiece. This is how an Elseworld should be written! Great back story, intense action, even when the “HERO” does not appear in costume until the very end.

 Art was stunning- especially the scene in which the Slave Babies are discovered to have drowned during a massive rainstorm. So was the script. Very good stuff! Should be required reading for all comics lovers.

"Superman Annual #6 1994"

WORTH CONSUMING!

This Elseworld is based mostly on if the event of the JUNGLEBOOK actually took place and that the book was written about Superman. Thrown in are elements of King Kong and Tarzan. But what makes this issue great is how it’s written. The atmosphere is very Allan Moore and the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

All of the characters work in this book; from Khan to Luthor, are very well written and the art is amazing. I would love to read a sequel to this. (That actually could work, since Kipling did write a Jungle Book 2).

Worth Consuming!

"New Titans Annual, No. 10"

WORTH CONSUMING!

This Elseworld doesn’t draw on any type of fact or fiction that I can recall. So it’s a welcome chance to discover an entirely new world free of already existing ideas of how the plot will unfold. The writing is excellent, and the art is very clean and some of the best of the ’94 Elseworld annuals.

 

A very flawless book- WORTH CONSUMING!

 

"Team Titans Annual #2"

NOT WORTH CONSUMING

There’s too much plot, action and characters and not enough backstory to really enjoy this issue. The shining moments are those elements of Star Wars, from which episode IV is the basis for this story. Turning Earth into the “death star” was brilliant, with a small hint of humor of Spaceballs mixed in with the planting of a human face on the Battleplanet.

 

Still, Not Worth Consuming!

"Justice League International, annual #5 (1994)"

NOT WORTH CONSUMING

This isn’t even worth 1 star! Art was awful and not well inked. The plot was very lame and using Poison Ivy and Doctor Polaris was NOT necessary. I loved the way Ralph Dibny was used as a sort of keeper of secret and Bruce Wayne in the Maxwell Lord role was a brilliant move.

 

Still, these few rare high-lights are not enough to safe it. Not Worth Consuming!

"Deathstroke: the Terminator, annual #3"

I know very little about Deathstroke prior to this issue- so I will attempt to review this book based on its merits and not a lack of familiarity.

 Deathstroke is supposed to be 500 years old? and to have aged 100 years from The Vietnam War to the 1980s? Someone’s timeline is way off. This Deathstroke is too much like a Logan rip-off. Ageless, a loner, and about the most droll narrator ever.

 The ending was very good, with Deathstroke getting a conscience and saving the baby- and that ending- very similar to the alternate T2 ending, full of hope and a sequel, left me wanting more.

"Essential Fantastic Four, Vol. 6 (Marvel Essentials)"

WORTH CONSUMING!

 The end of the Stan Lee era results in some new line-ups and a new feel for the FF. The art is some of the best in the entire series. Roy Thomas does an amazing job in the stories he writes- but sadly, the Gerry Conway stories are lacking.

 The last storyline of this volume is about the Fantastic Four going back in time to a very mixed up 1950s. The jumble of new and old, the lame dialogue, and the very sloppy, quick, happy ending is by far the worst of the series (leading up to issue 137) It’s like a very bad NEW GODS issue, without Jack Kirby’s bizarre artwork.

"Superboy Annual, #1 (The Super Seven - DC Comics)"

WORTH CONSUMING!

In part 2, we see a traitor, a man on a mission, and the beginning of the end of the evil aliens who have enslaved Metropolis.

 While the 1st part was excellent, I was not as much of a fan of the cliffhanger. 1st, the “origin” of this Superboy is oft hinted, but never revealed, so I feel like it was a bit of a letdown. (And if it was revealed, I must have missed it).

 When Superman dies and Superboy replaces him without anyone being the wiser that the Legend himself is dead- well, I wasn’t blown away by this. It happens in Generations 2, Batman Beyond, and several other DC storylines. And it was a bit of a bummer.

 The Lex/ Superboy confrontation as a hint of things to come was a great ending and it does leave you wanting more.

"The Adventures of Superman Annual #6 : The Longest Night (The Super Seven - DC Comics)"

WORTH CONSUMING!

Take elements of Terminator and War of the Worlds and you’ve got the basis for one of the best Elseworld Annuals of 1994 stories. There’s even a glimpse of Kingdom Come in this story with Superman ceasing to exist and living out his life as a slave as a sort of repentance. Hal Jordan’s role as a Caretaker to the lives lost in Coast City is equally disturbing and touching.

 This is a 2 part story, with the 2nd part taking place in Superboy Annual #1 (1994)

"Green Lantern ANNUAL, #3 (Comic Book): ELSEWORLDS"

NOT WORTH CONSUMING

When Tolkien wrote the Lord of the Ring books, many of the evils of the Ring were reflections of the horrors of Nazi Germany- so it makes total sense to make this Elseworld Green Lantern story have elements of a One Ring- that causes people to go mad with power. and while, I appreciate having John Stewart being an “outlaw” to the white supremacy of Hal Jordan and the Nazis, this story lacks a plot. This story could be done better if the events didn’t take place over several hours.

 There’s very limited character development. One minute Hal’s an evil Nazi with a yellow ring- then he’s good- then he’s right back to being bad. And when the Green Ring melds with the Yellow ‘One’ Ring- shouldn’t it have become Blue?

 

 I didn’t like this story, almost as much as I hate the Nazi episode of Star Trek. Yet, the Justice League 2-part story about the League going back in time to fight the Nazis is one of the best stories of the entire series. Apparently, the Krauts make good enemies, but they can’t make great enemies of our greatest heroes.

“Religious America”

WORTH CONSUMING!

As only my second coffee table book to have been read up to this point of my Dewey Decimal Project- I’ve hardly took the easy way out. But after reading that doozy of a book DKMA: Mythology, I deserved a much needed break.

 Religious America almost stopped me at the introduction. In it, there is a picture of the photo=journalist’s beloved dog, sitting on a desert plain looking out as the sun sets. I instantly knew that couldn’t be good.

"Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight ANNUAL, #4 "

WORTH CONSUMING!

Now this is how an Elseworld should be- that a popular movie (Citizen Kane) add an element of DC (in this case Batman and Harvey Dent)- twist those elements into each other and viola- by the 2nd act you have a never before seen alternate point of DC History.

The mystery of the “Asst. DA’s” identity is easy to find out by the 2/3 mark of the story. But, there is a real twist that even I didn’t see coming.

Very Much Worth Consuming!

"Legion of Super-Heroes Annual 5 1994"

This shouldn’t be an Elseworld’s annual. 9/10 of this book is Shrinking Violet retelling someone else the story of “Wizard of Oz” with some 23rd century twists and turns. And the other 10% of this book revolving around a plot in the current DC Universe.

This title is a misnomer! And a big disappointment.

The art really is the only thing that saves this issue. And at times- that’s uneven.

"Robin Annual, #3 (Comic Book): Elseworlds"

The worst of the ‘94 Elseworlds annuals (So Far- I still have quite a few more to read and review). The mystery that involves the plot is transparent by about page 22. The Batman as a Ninja thing doesn’t really work (and besides his costume looks more like a Samurai’s, anyways)

 The writing was less than inspired and I thought that the ending was lousy and not needed. Very sloppy stuff here.

 The art is great at times and at times splattered with careless ink spolts. And most of the costume designs are consistent to either Feudal Japan or the current DC Universe. The Japanese retouch of Robin’s emblem was really cool- but couldn’t the artist’s had come up with something else for Batman that just ripping off his current (Neal Adams designed) logo?

Not Worth Consuming.

"LOBO ANNUAL, #2 (COMIC BOOK): ELSEWORLDS"

WORTH CONSUMING!

17 really fragging funny “skits” that parody some of the most beloved Western Legends, Movies, and TV shows.

More gratuitous violence than a Tarantino film (but that’s not really a bad thing). Just don’t go looking for a CCA rating on this book. May not be suitable for those under the age of 15- or those who’d seek to banned comics forever.

There is 1 very raw panel that I am surprised that it made print. Makes me wonder if that was not worth a recall- how bad can the ultra-rare Elseworld’s 80-Page Special be?

"L.E.G.I.O.N. '94 Annual #5"

WORTH CONSUMING!

Okay fellow Legionnaires- since When did Lobo join the Legion or and of its sister teams? I thought the Fragger was from the same century as Superman, the JLA, and such? When the heck did he forward in time? Or is he like the “Others” on LOST and he never ages?

 Once you get past all this- the book is really very clever and funny. It contains about 12 other different parodies- but I think it should have stopped at the 1 main story with a slight beefing up of the 3 other smaller tales- instead of a bunch of sloppy one-page deals that are quite lame.

"The Flash Annual, #7 (The Barry Allen Story)"

WORTH CONSUMING!

It’s always great to see Barry Allen back- even if it is an alternate timeline version of him. Apparently no matter which universe he’s in- he’s destined to- oops well, I’ve said too much. (SPOILERALERT!)

The story starts off slow- but it really has a nice finish and is worth a lot of the “Memento”-isque beginning mumbo-jumbo. Great story for any Flash or Elseworld fan’s collection.

Batman: The Dailies 1943-1946"

WORTH CONSUMING!

The art is sloppy, the plots buffoonish, the criminals stereotypical- but for the price of a current Marvel color trade paperback (just 6 issues for $24.99)- you get the entire 1940s run of Batman’s daily comic strips (3 volumes in one) for the same price. And currently, Barnes and Noble has this on Clearance at many locations. And with Gas prices and everything else the way they are- this is a very wise and buy and that makes this volume (flaws and all) worth consuming.

Also- read each volumes introduction after you read the scripts- many times a spoiler is talked about and that can ruin the fun of the stories.

"Moon: The Life and Death of a Rock Legend"

WORTH CONSUMING!

This is a book that will make you laugh, cry, and cry some more. The blatant self-destruction of the greatest rock drummer of all-time is a lot to take at times. One can only witness so much pain, agony, and sadness without needed a moment to catch their breath. So I found myself- like many who’ve partied around the icon, taking frequent breaks away from Keith Moon and then reading a 200 page binge into the dark spiral of the drummer’s tortured soul.

The material inside this tome is brutal stuff and enough to make one see Moon in a less favorable sight and yet still defend to the death how vital hi presence was to the WHO.

Worth Consuming- but be prepared to need to take a break from it at times.

“Don’t Know Much About Mythology”

NOT WORTH CONSUMING

For years, I felt guilty that I’ve never finished Davis’ Don’t Know Much About History. After read DKMA: Mythology- I no longer feel guilty and I no longer want to own, read, and consider any further works of Kenneth Davis.

"Dexter in the Dark: A Novel"

WORTH CONSUMING!

Now, I had just cheered someone who hated the whole Molok theme of this book. And I still stand by that cheer. To introduce a new narrator in a series like this does detract somewhat from the essence of what Dexter is all about.

But, I really love the exploration of what makes Dexter tick and the crimes and clues in the book make sense. And Dexter’s friendship with Vince has some real buddy moments that remind me of Lethal Weapon- if Lethal Weapon was made by the E! network.

The role of Dexter’s soon to be step-kids has some really classic moments involving Sgt. Debbie- but some things like the kidnapping gets a real Disney-like ending. I just don’t think that could really happen in real life.

Out of the 3 books (so far…) this is the least of the bunch. But, Dexter is such a great character- I just couldn’t put it down. So, I give it a worth consuming!

"Essential Fantastic Four, Vol. 5 (Marvel Essentials)"

WORTH CONSUMING!

The 70’s have a reputation for being a lean time for great comic book story telling- but I must disagree- and this book is proof of that.

The art of Kirby just keeps getting better, Stan Lee’s stories get better (and less sappy), and what’s more- the rotating membership of the FF actually works. And had I read this before the Civil War tear up of the Baxter Building’s favorite residents, I might not have been calling so much for Joe Quesada’s head.

"Dearly Devoted Dexter: Dexter Morgan"

WORTH CONSUMING!

Better than the 1st book… I love how Dexter ends up becoming more “normal” no matter how hard he tries not to. The MO of Dr. Danco is inspired and very clever. Dexter is the greatest literary character to come out of the past 5 years. Thus, Jeff Lindsay is one of the greatest writers of the 21st century.

I cannot wait for book 3!