Doctor Who: Prisoners of Time, Volume 3

Well it took upwards of a year, but I finally have completed the epic Doctor Who: Prisoners of Time 50^th Anniversary miniseries by IDW. It was so very much worth the wait. In this volume, the identity of who was kidnapping the Doctor’s companions from the time stream is finally revealed. I wouldn’t in a million years have guessed who it was. I won’t reveal who, but I’ll give you a hint: this modern era companion is one that Whovians often refused to talk about. (Need more clues, go to the Doctor Who Hub on Facebook and looks for the companion we “don’t talk about.”)

Anyway, the art was fantastic and I was glad to finally read issue 12 after getting some top secret hints from that issue’s artist, Kelly Yates. Plus, in that issue, all 11 Doctors converge with just about every companion imaginable to defeat this top secret villain and his even more super-secret partner. Sorry, John Hurt fans, there’s no War Doctor in this book!

This was a fantastic finish to a wonderful series that had a marvelous mystery to unravel. It’s truly a love letter to the world’s longest running science fiction television program and proof that IDW should be allowed to renew their licensing agreement with the BBC and continue producing more classic Who stories for generations to come!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars!

 

Sledge Hammer! #1

  This comic was based on the short lived ABC series of the same name. Sledge was a parody of 80s cop films like the Lethal Weapon movies. But more directly, Sledge himself, with his giant magnum firearm, was a direct send up of Dirty Harry, only nowhere near as mean or smart.

I liked the show. I thought it was funny and I remember having this issue as a kid. I found this recently in a bargain bin for less than a quarter, so of course I had to snatch it up!

In this issue, Sledge must protect a TV starlet, whose the latest in the line of actresses who have all died playing the same role. As Sledge and his partner play bodyguard, they run through a list of possible suspects while facing off against a number of classic horror characters that are trying to kill the budding actress.

Sledge was silly fun. I still liked it and I wouldn’t mind getting my hands on issue #2 (Only 2 issues of this series were ever published.) Interestingly enough, the book’s cover touts an appearance by Satana, the sister of Damon Helstrom, The Son of Satan. However, she’s not really the Marvel horror character, but a role played the various actresses who have died mysteriously in a series of gruesome murders that reenact classic horror films. What a clever way to attempt to tie Sledge Hammer! into the Marvel universe!

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

“Deadline” by Mira Grant, Book II of the Newsflesh Trilogy

Book II of the Newsflesh Trilogy isn’t quite as good as the first book, Feed, but it wasn’t a disappointment. Georgia Mason is dead after what transpired in Book I, so her brother Shaun is the narrator. I didn’t find him as engrossing a narrator as Georgia. Maybe that’s because she’s a more intelligent and less emotional storyteller. It could also have something to do with the fact that Shaun’s slowly going off the deep end, believing that his sister now resides inside his head.

In this chapter, Shaun and his team of reporters at After the End Times delve deeper into the conspiracy that threatened to destroy Senator Ryman’s presidential campaign and ultimately killed Shaun’s sister. The team is in the thick of it when a CDC researcher shows up on their doorstep, only CNN and other news sources are reporting her deceased. The crap really hits the fan when someone unleashes a zombie outbreak on the news team’s roof and the whole building is scheduled for elimination.

Shaun and his team seek refuge in the fortress-like structure of a pharmaceutical heiress and end up on a variety of road trips seeking to discover why they’ve been targeted by this global conspiracy. Could the CDC researcher’s notes on the evolving strains of the Kellis-Amberlee virus that turns the dead into the undead have something to do with it? And what’s going to happen to Shaun’s already fragile psyche when he discovers that certain anomalies in his sister’s blood might’ve actually saved her life when she was infected with the live virus in the previous book has Shaun not killed her before she had a chance to transform into a zombie?

   Thankfully, this book gives plenty of ample time some several underused characters from the first book, like the Brit blogger Mahir. His character steals several scenes. Noticeably absent from this book was the character of Rick, a newbie to the Mason’s news agency. He’s gone on to bigger and better things, becoming the vice President and despite several mentions, not used once in this entire book. An oversight I hope is fixed in book III.

     Also, as you are reading this book from Shaun’s perspective and it’s clear he’s not a genius like his sister was, it takes a while to truly grasp the implications behind the conspiracy and the motives of the CDC. Thus, Deadline started off very slow.  I devoured the last 200 pages in less than 3 days. When the team gets caught in the remnants of a tropical storm and the whole world seems to have disappeared, it got spooky good! At that point, Deadline began to recapture that energy that captivated me in Book I. I couldn’t put the book down at the moment. I was craving to know what happened so much, that I couldn’t stop thinking about it yesterday at work. Once I was home, I tackled that book and like a hungry zombie, devoured every last bit of it!

By the way, I’m still hungry. Bring on Book III- STAT!

Worth Consuming.

Rating 8 out of 10 stars.

GI Joe Special Missions #6

Yes, I did skip issues 1-5. There’s a good reason for doing so. See, issue #61 of GI Joe, which was collected in Classic GI Joe Volume 7 cliffhangers into this issue and then reverts back to GI Joe #62, only IDW neglected to include this issue in that trade paperback. I don’t have every issue of Special Missions, yet! Thankfully, I had this issue. If I didn’t, I would have been pissed!

It’s a good story. A team of Joes are sent on a top secret mission deep in the heart of the Soviet Union. It’s so secret, the US government has discharged the soldiers from the Army and if they are captured, the government will disavow all knowledge of their exploits and essentially, they’re stuck behind enemy lines.

This issue takes place after Snow Job, Quick-Kick, and Stalker have been apprehended. Stalker had ordered Outback to escape in hopes of getting word to the Joes about what happened. This entire issue is Outback’s incredible journey to freedom.

I thought it was a great story with only one glitch that was a pet peeve. In GI Joe #61, the four Joes are wearing dark uniforms. But, in this issue and Joe #62 all four Joes are wearing their normal uniforms. Talk about your poor communication. You would have thought somebody in the editorial department would have caught this continuity nit.

Oh, well- at least this story kicked some serious butt.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Classic GI Joe Volume 7

Well, it’s time to say good-bye to the individual issues of GI Joe momentarily and come back to the trades, albeit briefly. In this volume, we’ve got the shake ups to end all shake ups as Cobra Commander returns to reclaim Cobra from Serpentor. Only, this Cobra Commander seems different. An opportunity sniffing Baroness is going to use this upheaval in the balance of Cobra power to her advantage. It’s an epic fight for superiority that will be fought on land, air, sea, and even outer space. (Which BTW, none of the characters in the space issue wear protective suits. So, wouldn’t the Joes and Cobra operatives all explode? That issue is one of the most laughable of all.)

But before we get into Cobra and its growing pains, there’s a top secret mission that Stalker, Snow Job, Quick-Kick, and Outback must undertake deep in Soviet territory. The mission is so clandestine that before it, all four have been discharged from the military and if caught, the government will disavow all knowledge of their mission. Plus, you’ve got to read part of the story in GI Joe: Special Missions and IDW neglected to put this important issue in this book. (Thankfully, I had that issue of Special Missions or I would’ve been maddddd!)

Lastly, the Joes crack the mystery behind the Cobra Terrordromes and its secret will send them to the fjords of Scandinavia to battle Cobra and the jungles of Sierra Gordo where they meet a new threat, the now independent ( and Golden chromed) Destro and his personal soldiers of fortune: the Iron Grenadiers.

Not exactly the best collection of stories. The tension behind the reappearance of Cobra Commander was a shocking highlight. The absurd Star Wars type battle between Cobra and the Joes could never have happened in real life. Ever heard of anti-gravity, people? But, the book finished strong with the Terrordrome saga.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

GI Joe #60

The Joe team goes Covert Ops as Chuckles, Lt. Falcon, and Law& Order are introduced into GI Joe canon. It seems these guys have been a part of the team, only Hawk and the rest of Joes don’t know about it.

Adding to the drama and suspense, more Dreadnoks are introduced and they’ve got the low-down on the super-secret goings on of this unknown team of Joes. It all comes together for an epic clash in which the Joes actually want the Dreadnoks to win for once and the thugs don’t know it.

I love espionage comics, like Nick Fury and Captain America. This issue of Joe was not a disappointment. Spy stories always are a little confusing and I have to reread them, but that’s because there is always subterfuge. That kind of bewilderment is okay in my book, as it’s meant to be there. It’s like a mystery novel with hot cars, cool toys, and Bond girls.

I liked how Larry Hama introduced Chuckles and his unit a lot better than how those guys were introduced in GI Joe: The Movie, having these guys as Covert Ops squad that’s operating outside of Hawk and the Joes knowledge than as a bunch of goof-off recruits. And I don’t have to hear Don Johnson’s whiny voice every time Lt. Falcon speaks.

Oh, and the ending is one of the most bad assed endings of a comic book, ever!

Worth consuming.

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

GI Joe #59

The Joe team is on maneuvers in the Rockies where they’re attacked by Cobra Commander and a man in a giant bird costume flanked by a bunch of birds of prey. This is perhaps the weirdest use of birds as weapons of mass destruction since the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

There’s a fantastic chase scene between the Joes and Cobra Commander in his new POGO Plane. The baddies vehicle might look stupid, but the crazy scenes that take place in the Colorado Rockies and a very narrow tunnel are amazing. Kudos to the art team for this!

Plus, Cobra Commander’s son, Billy has awakened from his coma. Of course, he’s got amnesia. But, there’s a dojo next door to Billy’s father’s new hide-out, Might it trigger some old memories of his training with Storm Shadow?

The answer: Of course it will! But how this plot twist will play out with Cobra Commander’s new plans to retake his criminal organization remains to be seen and I eagerly wait. Knowing the legendary Larry Hama, the results will be epic. Only time will tell.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Fables, Volume 19: Snow White

 



The modern adventures of your favorite (and least favorite) fairy tale stars continue with two possible nuptials. First in Haven, Beast must prevent the Blue Fairy from holding him captive a total of 777 years by initiating marriage proceedings between the angry fairy and Gephetto. Back in the “mundy” world a gentlemen caller comes for Snow White’s hand in marriage. Has anybody told her husband, the Big Bad Wolf about this?

This is an exciting tale that comes with some dire consequences that result in the demise of a fan favorite. I’m pissed. They better bring ******* (name deleted for spoiler purposes) real quick. I’m not kidding.

A few weeks back, I read volume 1 of Fairest, the newest Fables spin-off and it’s a good thing I did. Some major plot points that aid Bigby is his quest to find his missing cubs are directly tied into the first story arc of Fairest. I would’ve been lost without that prior info. It appears that I’m a budding Jedi, as my instincts to read the spin-off first before this volume of Fables served me well.

Worth Consuming.

Fox Kids Funhouse Presents the Tick in a World of Pain(t)

 Back in the late 90s, we kids were blessed with the world’s greatest super hero cartoon show. No, I’m not talking about Batman: the Animated Series (though that show totally rocked.) Nope, I am talking about the Tick! He was wacky, crazy strong, had a bunch of bizarre enemies and even more bizarre allies. Oh, and he was totally nuts.

This digest features the Tick and his flying moth sidekick Arthur in an all-new adventure. When a villain kidnaps Arthur from the local Laundromat, it’s up to the Tick and his new weapon, the Tick-a-rang, to save the day. In order to do that, the Tick must survive the world’s most deadliest game. That’s right, bring on the paintball!

Besides a couple of minor technical glitches and what I assume was a bit of dialogue that should’ve been remove due to an editing mishap, this Tick story was pretty good. It made me miss the TV show. Plus, I’d be willing to search out further digests (if the exist.)

This digest also featured stories involving other Fox Kids cartoons. In Bobby’s World, the youngster imagines himself becoming the world’s mightiest plumber when the family toilet goes haywire. Then in Life with Louie, young Louie Anderson (yes, that Louie Anderson!) and his friends go camping. Only it’s his dad who thinks roughing it means staying at a campsite with no free HBO! The first tale was smart and I enjoyed it very much. The Louie tale was just way too long and a little sophomoric. Plus, the character of Louie is just one of the most hideously drawn characters in the history of animation. I feel bad about that, since it’s based on a real person.

Overall, not a bad way to kill a half hour. I loved the Tick and Bobby’s World. I could’ve gone the rest of my life without reading about Louie Anderson camping.

Like Meatloaf says “2 outta 3 aint bad.”

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars,

GI Joe #58

Having removed his son Billy from the hospital, Cobra Commander in civilian attire searches for a safe house. He finds it in Denver where a Crimson Guardsman, posing as a mechanic, is awaiting activation. With this new character comes a new costume for Cobra Commander and a new Cobra hopeful with a penchant for falconry and dressing up as a giant bird. But will any of this bring the young boy out of his coma?

This period of GI Joe is about when I started to lose interest. I hated Cobra Commander’s new suit. I never understood why he needed the change. (I do now, as CC had to ditch his original costume in order to escape from New York.) Then there’s the Cobra character dressed as a giant hawk. At the time, I thought he was pretty cool as a kid. Right now, I’m not so sure. Imagine the San Diego Chicken driving a Volvo with about 30 birds of prey in the back seat. That’s what happens in a panel of this issue. It’s pretty ridiculous. Hopefully, Larry Hama can bounce back with classic in the next issue.

My least favorite issue of the series thus far!
Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

GI Joe #57

Now I’m back in numerical order. After a brief trip through several GI Joe Yearbooks, I’m fully caught up with the action and ready to continue my reading of the complete Marvel run of 155 issues of Joe!

In this issue, Destro enlists the help of Flint and Lady Jaye! It seems that an imposter has taken ole Chrome Dome’s place in the wake of his ‘death’ during the battle of the Pit. With the Joes help, should Destro reclaim his home and title, he’ll hand over the blueprints and codes to the Cobra Terrordromes.

I love it when the bad guys and good guys have to team up. It makes for some interesting scenarios and you are always waiting for the baddie to stab the hero in the back. I won’t divulge if that happens or not, nor will I tell whose behind the face Destro mask. However, I will tell you that I was very satisfied with the ending. It was a classic twist that doesn’t make Destro look corny nor does it tarnish his cool factor.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

GI Joe Yearbook #3

This book is why I had to “go back in time.” At the end of GI Joe #56, we learn that while the siege of Seirra Gordo and the Cobra Terrordrome is completed, the ultimate fate of Snake Eyes continues in this issue. While I normally hate it when a comic makes you read another title for the conclusion of a storyline instead of finished sequentially by ascending numerical order, I did happen to already have all of the GI Joe Yearbooks. But I decided to read Yearbooks 1 and 2 first just to make sure I didn’t miss anything. I’m glad I read this as it’s a loose sequel to the famous GI Joe issue in which Snake rescues Scarlett from Destro’s castle and the entire story has no words. The same here with Scarlett and Storm Shadow saving the American ninja and I loved it!

This issue has the obligatory review of everything that’s happened in the previous 12 issues. It also has another article on the GI Joe cartoon. It was interesting although the first dozen paragraphs seemed to be a rehash of the same articles in Yearbook 1 and 2.

Lastly, there’s a very funny short story in which Serpentor regales Dr. Mindbender with the exploits of one of his past lives. It also means that the new leader of Cobra might’ve been responsible for the invention of pizza.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

GI Joe Yearbook #2

Now this was more like it. Yes, there was a cover gallery of all of the issues of Joe up to the point of publication and there was a recap of the latest Joe and Cobra exploits. But this time there is an original story.

  In the tale that I assume is by Larry Hama (There isn’t a box that tells who wrote, drew, and inked this story), the October Guard, those Soviet thorns in the Joes side, are under attack by Cobra. The villains’ mission, to steal a top-secret laser that can do some serious damage. It’s primarily the Russians verses Cobra. However, we do get a sneak peek of the Joes at some point. Not only do we get a glimpse of the Joe team, but the amount of detail in that cameo was phenomenal. The characters were so tiny, but you still make out who was who.

I really enjoy that story. I’m not sure who did the art, but my money would be on Todd McFarlane. There is a few scenes where the female October Guard member is posed in very provocative poses all the while trying to escape the Cobra marauders. Though the imagery of her, sometimes spread eagle or with erect nipples or both is excessive, it doesn’t make this an R-rated book. PG-13, maybe.

Oh and there’s another great article on the GI Joe cartoon. It’s making want to see some vintage episodes real bad.

Worth Consuming.

Rating 8 out of 10 stars.

Two Collections Becoming One...

My wife is my best friend. I often joke that Star Wars is my best friend as I was born the same year as the first movie and I spent my whole life playing, watching, reading, and collecting it.
  But aside from my wife, my best friend was Todd. he died about 3 years ago. I don't remember the exact date, but I remember the day we got the phone call from his wife that he was gone. I'll never forget helping make funeral arrangements that day.
  Well, today was the first time in about 2 years since my wife and I got to spend some time with Todd's wife, Tammy. We had lunch today and met her new husband. He's a really cool guy and it wasn't hard getting to know.
   I'm usually very shy meeting someone new. But, once I've gathered the courage- WATCH OUT! It's like when Todd and I first meet. It took 45 minutes for our wives trying to get each other attention and to open up. Then a commercial came on that changed everything. It was for Superman Returns and we both expressed a desire to see the film at about the same time. I asked if he collected comics and he said yes. Todd asked if I collected. I told him not anymore, but I read them all the time at my local library. That go a friendship started.
   Todd was who got me into collecting again. I had been wanting to for so long, but wasn't sure if my wife would be up to my new interest. However, I think my wife saw that I was forming a friendship with another guy and she gave it her okay. The next thing I know, we're at HeroesCon in Charlotte as a pair of couples and while Tammy and my wife saw in a corner and talked, Todd and I went exploring. I still remember meeting George Perez and getting him to sign a issue of Crisis proclaiming "I killed Supergirl, Confessionally. (sic)" and he added a sketch of her insignia. The three of us spent 30 minutes talking. It was the beginning of my vast collection.
   Well, today, I received something I never in a 1,000 years expected. After years of struggling to figure out what to do with it, Tammy gave me Todd's collection. She said that I should have it because I would treat it as precious and that Todd would be happy knowing it went to someone he cared about.
  I now have an entire station wagon full of comics and graphic novels. It's going to take weeks and months to go through everything. I need to figure out doubles, decide if those extras are something I can donate to the kids at my wife's clinic. Then with the remainder, I have to bag them, process them, and then add them to my collection. I also need to buy a bunch of supplies.
   It's going to be a lot of work. But it's also going to be lots of fun.
   However, I'd trade that entire collection to have my friend back.
  Todd, Thank you- this post it for you!

GI Joe Yearbook #1

This comic is exactly what it says it is. This Yearbook contains a recap of every comic adventure the Joes have has since issue #1. In fact, this Yearbook reprints issue #1. I kinda wish I knew that before I bought it all those years ago. I thought it would be like an annual and there would be new  double-length stories

 Since I’ve read issue #1 and all of the other issues recapped within the past 3 months, I didn’t feel the need to read them again. I did read the articles on how a GI Joe cartoon is made, the full schematics of the Pit, and best of all, the top-secret dossiers on several key Joes and Cobra operative. Side bar- thanks to these “file cards”, I did learn that the Joe’s tanker driver, Steeler, was in fact from Pittsburgh. So, I have a feeling that Larry Hama was a Steelers fan! I love it!

Yo Joe! Go, Steelers, Go!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

GI Joe #56

The Joes have enough evidence to go do to Sierra Gordo in South America and attempt to solve the mystery of the Cobra Terrordrome. Snake Eyes has been captured and that dastardly Cobra mind reading device, the Brain Scanner has been trying to learn the location of the Joes new base by torturing the fallen ninja.

It’s an action-filled issue with lots of drama. There’s even a major player who’s in danger of dying and I couldn’t tell if he’d make it or not since I’m about to get to the point of the series where the cartoon no longer impacted what Larry Hama could do with the characters. Thus, some major characters actually kicked the bucket and we weren’t fooled with a resurrection issue months later. That may or may not be the case here. You’ll just have to read it!

Oh, and the ultimate fate of Snake Eyes isn’t revealed here and actually is going to result in a wee bit of time travel on my part. More on that later.

Worth Consuming.

Rating 8 out of 10 stars.

GI Joe #55

This looks like it’s going to be the GI Joe issue everyone’s been waiting for. Only, it’s not…

Yes, Destro and Cobra Commander (who survived and escaped the destruction of the Pit) do indeed remove their masks and uniforms in able to escape back to Cobra Island. However, what you see isn’t their actual faces, but them in ridiculous beards, sunglasses, and 80s rock video garb.

This cover also shows Snake Eyes removing his mask. In several issues, you see much of his face, but it’s always obscured to prevent the reader from seeing his scars. Again, we only see the back of his head.  Bummer! Although, I have it on good knowledge that all three characters true faces are eventually revealed before the final issue of GI Joe. So, there’s that to look forward too!

Also, I had about gotten to the point of thinking that Marvel was never going to get to what happened to Candy (AKA Bongo the Balloon Bear), the Soft Master, and Cobra Commander’s estranged son Billy after they hit a moving train and everything exploded. Thankfully, the suspense that was killing me is over as all three’s ultimate fate is finally revealed.

Despite the disappointing reveals of the Masked Three, learning the fate of those involved in the train wreck almost10 issues ago make up for the tease. That keeps this book interesting and worth consuming. Way to go Marvel and Larry Hama for keeping the plot moving and pulling my leg at the same time.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

GI Joe #54

In their first mission after being reactivated, the Joes are sent to Central America to learn the secret behind Cobra’s Terrordromes. Flint is sent in to investigate using a top secret spy-jet. As he attempts to infiltrate the base, he’s captured by those wicked twins, Tomax and Xomat. Oddly, as he’s captured, Flint, who’s usually very cocky and verbose is sullenly silent.

  What’s up with that? The answer may surprise you- well unless you do some very clever deduction that even a member of the Scooby Doo gang could figure out.

I great story with a mystery. Larry Hama did a fantastic job with this issue!

Worth Consuming.

Rating 9 out of 10 stars.

GI Joe #53

This is it folks! The all-out battle assault on the Pit by Cobra finally takes place in this issue. With General Hawk taking several high ranking Pentagon officials on a tour of the Pit, just about every Cobra imaginable has invaded the Joes not-so-secret compound. I was expecting one of these officials to be a Cobra spy. But, these old guys really know how to kick some Cobra butt. And don’t worry, the rest of the Joes get in on the action as well.

My favorite issue of all (thus far!) Why this wasn’t a double sized issue is beyond me! But that’s okay as there’s 3-times worth of action crammed into 32 little pages. This issue is full of laughs, action, adventure, and of course, GI Joe!

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars!

Captain America, Volume 2: Castaway in Dimension Z, Book 2 (Marvel NOW!)

  When we last saw Capt., his adopted son, Ian was kidnapped by Armin Zola and it looked like Steve Rogers was going to die stuck in this pocket universe. Of course, the Sentinel of Liberty preservers- it’s his book and Bucky’s nowhere around to that back the shield. Anyway, Zola manages to brainwash little Ian into becoming Captain America’s worst fan! However, Zola should’ve been spending a little more time on the rest of his family as he’s gained a new ally, but lost his daughter to Captain America’ cause. With the only way out of the little universe slowly moving into our reality, it’s up to Rogers, Zola’s daughter, and an unexpected visit from planet earth to save both realities.

I loved this volume. It was as good if not better than volume 1. The ending was tragically sad and puts Steve Rogers even more out of synch with the 21^st century, as 13 years have passed in Dimension Z and only about 1 hour on earth has transpired. The epilogue was kick-ass and made me exclaim, “Oh, hell yeah!” I so want to read more about what happens next. Hopefully, future volumes of this series will explore that.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars!

GI Joe #52

 

Cobra is mounting an offensive on the Pit and the battle looks to be epic. But before that happens, the Joes must deal with another intruder- the resurrected Storm Shadow! If he could find the Pit, why has it taken Cobra 30+ issues to discover that the Pit is right where Cobra blew it to smithereens before?

Though there’s lots of nitpicking to be debated over that previous statement, the issue is a wonderful tale. It gives some sort of closure to Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow’s search for their master’s killer. The ending was just beautiful and it made for good storytelling. I like where Storm Shadow left, but I am very sure he’ll be back real soon!

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.  

GI Joe #51

 

    With the Joe team coming up empty after the invasion of Springfield, USA, the Pentagon decides to disband the team and confine all personnel to their barracks in order to avoid a PR crap-storm. Only Cobra doesn’t know of the status of the Joes and has sent the Dreadnoks to destroy the heroes once and for all. (In volume 5, it’s revealed that Buzzer knows where the Pit is located. Hint: its right where Cobra destroyed it about 30 issues prior. Oh, yeah, the Pit was rebuilt over its old remains.)

Okay- this issue inadvertently addresses a problem I’ve had with the series and allowed great action, art, and adventure to bury it deep down in my subconscious. Why would you rebuild your top-secret Army base right where your most hated enemies destroyed it before? And why hasn’t Cobra put 2-and-2 together and set a squad of Crimson Guardsmen to check to see if the Pit is still operating as if nothing ever happened?

I like the drama of Hawk trying to reestablish the team and prove that Springfield was housing a secret Cobra base. I also liked being introduced to more of Zartan’s Dreadnoks, including his pink haired brother and sister. I had forgotten about the brother, but I remember having a Zarana figure. It’s good to see her finally make an appearance.

The story is building up to an epic battle between the Joes, Dreadnoks, and Serpentor. I cannot wait to see what happens next!

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Paro-Dee #1

 

This is a surprise! Paro-Dee is a Christian Comic. I wasn’t expecting that when I found this is a bargain bin. I thought it was your run of the mill Indy comic that parodies the big two- DC and Marvel. Instead, this book skewers everything- from cults to the media, devil worship to those classic EC Comics I love so much, to as you may have guessed- DC and Marvel.

The book is from the 90s. Having been to a Christian school during the 90s, that means that just about anything that is Christian is sinful. I remember being sent home for wearing a Duke Blue Devil T-shirt. I quickly learned that if I was going to enjoy life at that school, I had to adapt and that meant studying the school handbook and finding ways to bend the rules without breaking them. I’m not badmouthing my faith. I’m proud to be a follower of Jesus Christ- I just don’t think that means that I can’t enjoy a Beatles record, root for Duke, or collect comic books. Jesus ate with sinners; I can read a John Grisham novel.

Anyway, back to my point. This book does a great job when it shares its faith open and honestly, just like I did. This book fails when it gets judgmental. For instance, there’s the great story in which a panel on comic book morality is taking place at a comic convention. There’s Christian who can’t understand why  comic books can’t be about action and adventure and have become morality plays with just about everyone having only one moral- if it feels good, do it! The guy shares his faith, and he doesn’t judge. It’s a great read.

  Then there’s the cover story, which blames Ted Turner, Madonna, and rap music for all of the world’s ills. Only by strict avoidance of the secular world will out heroes prevail. Life isn’t meant to be lived in a bubble. That doesn’t work and neither does this X-Men parody.

A diamond in the rough. You just really have to chip away at those rough spots to enjoy this book.

I give it a rating of 6 due to outdated thinking, but still think the book was worth consuming for the most part.

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Avengers, Volume 2: The Last White Event (Marvel NOW!)

I think it’s extremely interesting that during a time where I’ve been reading some old articles about Marvel’s New Universe line of books by the mid-80s that I happen to read this book. The Last White Event continues from Avengers World in which a mysterious entity with out-of-this world powers gains a brother of sorts. It turns out that the names of these new characters are from the New Universe. So, Marvel’s found a way to integrate the New Universe with the Marvel 616 reality. Add to the fact that the White Event is the elimination of universes and other earths; this is Marvel’s version of Crisis on Infinite Earths, but on a much larger scale.

It’s a good book with lots of action and mystery. The Avengers/ SHIELD dynamic is explored to some depth and it makes for a great mix of super heroes and espionage. The last chapter is filled with some great comedic moments, such as a trio of AIM scientists going on a bender with a pair of Avengers. Alas, the low point comes when the volume ends with yet another cliff hanger.

I liked what I read. I cannot wait for Volume 3. However, the back cover promises to tie in the events in this and volume one with what’s been going on in Secret Avengers. Unless I miss something, and I don’t think I did, I just didn’t see the connection. Maybe reading volume 2 of Secret Avengers was needed before this issue. Sadly, my library didn’t have that book- yet!

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

GI Joe: A Real American Hero, Volume 5 (Classic GI Joe, Volume 5)

Issues 41-50 of GI Joe were read in another trade paperback collection. It starts off with Rip-Cord going off half-cocked to the sovereign nation of Cobra Island in search for his missing girlfriend, Candy and winds up playing a deadly game of dress up with Zartan, the Cobra master of disguise. Then the Soft Master, Storm Shadow, Snake Eyes, Candy, and Billy all converge on Springfield to finally answer the question as to who killed the Hard Master? It’s an answer that has tragic consequences.

But the biggest storyline that unfolds in the creation of Serpentor. It culminates with the ultimate fate of tiny Springfield, USA- home base of Cobra. What happens to conclude this volume in a double sized issue #50 will leave you stunned.

A great volume filled with lots of action, mystery, and excitement. I thought that I would hate Serpentor as I remember thinking he was unnecessary on the cartoon. But Larry Hama does a fantastic job making him so noble and such a good leader; he inspired me to want to overthrow Cobra Commander as the leader of the Joes.

Fantastic stuff that is Worth Consuming. Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

(Note: the is the final volume in Marvel’s run of reprinting GI Joe as GI Joe: A Real American Hero. No other volumes were produced as IDW took over the license shortly as this volume’s publication. Further GI Joe reprint edition will not carry an alternate title in parentheses as the title to this post did.)

GI Joe #41

It’s pretty bad when the bad guy wins. It’s even worse when the bad guys trick you into doing their dirty work for them. That’s what happens in this issue when Cobra launches an attack from their underwater base in the Gulf of Mexico. The ruse is that the battle is designed for the Joes to bomb the hell out of the base causing a fault line to rupture and produce a new land mass.

 That’s right; Cobra Island finally appears in the comic books for the first time. Now, time runs out as the Joes must secure the new island before Cobra Island receives recognition from the United States as a sovereign nation.

The jaw dropping conclusion will stun you and make you run for the next issue to find out what happens next.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

GI Joe #40

Cobra has got something cooking in the Gulf of Mexico. Recent events have led the Joe team to discover that Candy (AKA Bongo the Balloon Bear) is a Cobra spy due to the fact that her father has been revealed as one of the Crimson Guard. So when the team finds plans of a secret underwater base off the coast of New Orleans, Hawk sends a commando unit out to investigate.

The true motive behind Cobra’s secret lair is outrageous. However, as I think back on the cartoon series, it actually makes lots of sense and an important plot device from that series that I’ve overlooked finally comes into play. (I’ll reveal spoilers as to what in my review of issue #41.)

This is a fantastic issue full of great action and adventure and finally the first appearance of one of my favorite Joes, Shipwreck.

Worth Consuming.

Rating 10 out of 10 stars.

GI Joe #39

The Joe team find themselves back in the same position when they started in 1982. Someone has kidnapped a renowned nuclear scientist. The same scientist the team had to rescue from Cobra back in issue #1! Along  with the reunion, the team ends up in the very same South American jungle that resulted in the near deaths of Snake Eyes and the Baroness. Only this rescue has the Joe team pitted against some rebels that have benefitted from the power vacuum caused by Cobra’s defeat.

I enjoyed this issue very much. I particularly liked that series writer Larry Hama was willing to spend some time exploring what happens in the aftermath of a battle between Joes and Cobra. The art was very good and the action sequences were fantastic. Oddly enough, the best part of this issue is the insightful banter between field commander Striker and the pining Rip-Cord, whose girl Candy (AKA Bongo the Balloon Bear) recently broke up with him.

A great issue that was very enjoyable.

Worth Consuming.

Rating 10 out of 10 stars.

Fairest, Volume 1: Wide Awake

From the pages of Fables, one of my all-time favorite non-superhero comics, and the mind of Bill Willingham, comes Fairest. Where Fables is about a group of exiled characters from Fairytaleland (men, women, animals, and animated and enchanted objects) who try to survive in the real world, this series focuses primarily on the women and their many loves.

  The volume has two tales. The first has Sleeping Beauty being rescued by true love’s kiss. But when her prince ends up having eyes for another, it seems that true love can awaken Sleeping Beauty, it just doesn’t mean that that devotion is directed towards her.

The second tale is a noir themed piece that has Beast (from Beauty and the Beast) on the trail of an ancient evil that makes the rounds in 5-inch heels. Can he stop her before she kills again?

I like both stories very much. The Sleeping Beauty tale has Ali Baba and a certain blue imp that’s confined to a shiny bottle  tied in with it. It definitely takes many liberties with the stories of Sleeping Beauty and Aladdin. That’s totally forgivable as it makes for an exciting story that is very familiar but since it doesn’t quite follow the stories we’ve heard since the cradle, there’s room for plenty of surprises.

But, I like the Beast tale the best. The art reminds me of Batman: The Animated Series and it’s classic and clean. The story is straight from Sam Spade and Mickey Spillane. I’m not a huge fan of noir, but I do enjoy those type of tales from time to time. It’s an excellent capper to a very good spin-off. This is no After MASH or Joey! I can’t wait for to read more!

Worth Consuming.

Rating 9 out of 10 stars.

DC Universe Super Heroes Secret Files #1

  The mid-90s is a period of comic book history that I currently know very little about, nor have I read a whole look of books from that period. This book is really no exception. There’s a super hero intelligence agency called the DED, that is run by and deals with metahumans. If you’ve got a super power and you get out of line, this is the group that’s going to come and kick you’re a$$.

  This is also the first time I’ve ever heard of this group. I’ve heard of Metropolis’ Metacrimes Unit and I love any Superman tale that involves them. There’s also Top 10 by Alan Moore about a city of super heroes and the super powered police force that protects and serves. The DED is similar to both ideas but by far not superior to them. Though the premise did interest me and I would gladly read more books about the organization.

  This Secret Files also includes some of the earliest pieces starring Resurrection Man and Stars and STRIPE. I like both and from reading them and the DED dossiers on those heroes, I want to read more about them too. There’s also an extensive- no make that exhaustive timeline involving the all of the characters I just mentioned and then some. (It’s a 2 page triple columned timeline printed in a font size of 4 or less. It tired me out so much reading the small print, it took 2 days to complete.)

A very good issue filled with stuff I knew little about in the DC Universe, but it was worth reading. Man, I’ve got a lot of catching up to do.

Worth Consuming.

Rating 9 out of 10 stars.