Captain America: The Fighting Avenger, Vol 1

This collection of Captain America tales was a pleasant surprise. With the exception of the title story, I was certain that I had read the other three stories published within. Thankfully, having just devoured this awesome anthology, I was wrong.

Captain America: The Fighting Avenger takes place during the awkward stage of Steve Rogers’ career. He’s just gotten the super-soldier serum and finished basic training. But he lacks combat experience. I9n fact, he’s been paraded so much selling war bonds that he’s looked at more like a mascot than a solider. In this story we get a glimpse of Cap’s first combat mission. However, war is more ho-hum than hell as his platoon makes him play look-out than actually do any fighting. It’s interesting to see a less than confident Cap struggle to be seen as a symbol of freedom much less be able to use his shield properly.

Along with Captain America: the Fighting Avenger, this volume also reprints a team-up tale from Marvel Adventures Super Heroes #5. In that story, Cap and Rhino hope of saving an endangered rhino baby from experimenting Hydra scientists. I’m pretty sure that that story was only a segment from issue #5 and not the whole comic as the story was too short. However, it was a thrill-a-minute read and unique having Rhino play the good guy role for a change.

The last two stories are from the classic Marvel Adventures Avengers series (issues 7 and 37 are reprinted.) In the first story, Baron Zemo kidnaps Captain America in revenge for past defeats during World War II. But all is not as it seems with this Zemo as he’s too cunning than he was in the 1940s. It will take all of the super powers, ingenuity, and tricks up the sleeves of Steve Roger’s teammates in order to save the Sentinel of Freedom.

I’m not sure how I missed this issue. I thought I had read the entire run of MA: Avengers. Btu like I said earlier, I was pleasantly surprised and thrilled to have an all-new adventure starring my personal favorite Avengers line-up. 

I had read issue 37 before. It stars the Puppet Master finding a way to drag the Invaders through time and turning them into his new army of warriors. When Cap is faced with his past he must decide whether to stay with his new team or return to the friends and time he holds so dear. Thanks to my readings of the Timely 75^th Anniversary one-shots, I was able to reread this tale with a new perspective and enjoy some of the inside jokes a little more.

This collection is a great treasury starring my all-time favorite super hero. I highly recommend this book. Sure, ¾ of the book is geared toward the all-age crowd (IE kids under 13) but seasoned veterans of Cap’s adventures, adults, and youngsters alike will love this collection. I also consider it a good primer for someone wanting to get their toe wet in comics starring Captain America and the Avengers.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

X-Men: First Class: Class Portraits

This edition contains a series of one-shots that take inspiration from the X-Men: First Class series. Some stories are prequel tales like Magneto’s first visit to the Big Apple and a glimpse into the trauma that haunts Jean Grey. A couple of tales are ‘untold’ tales of the original X-Men, including Iceman and Angel’s spring break adventure and Cyclops learning how to have fun by trailing Batroc The Leper and his merry band of misfits throughout Manhattan who are on a sort of working vacation. The last couple of tales aren’t even under the ‘First Class’ imprint but taken from Marvel Adventures publications.

   Both of those stories guest star Spider-man. In the first story, Peter Parker and Bobby Drake race through Queens in hopes of snagging the last open table at a chic sushi restaurant for their valentine’s dates. In the second story, SHIELD has recruited Spider-man and Marvel Girl into babysitting Bruce Banner during a day out in the big city. But with a host of calamities getting in the way will Banner be able to stay calm or will he unleash the beast within?

Speaking of Beast- other than a couple of panels in the Cyclops story, he is noticeably absent from this book. Why? He’s such a great character and I think it’s a crime against mutant-kind that Marvel didn’t do a one-shot starring him! I even think Professor X should’ve gotten a one-shot other than Magento but I can understand that so much has been revealed about his origin that maybe Marvel decided to focus on a villain instead. But to slight Hank McCoy- I cry foul!

Worth Consuming, but I want a Beast one-shot!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Iron Man: Tales of the Golden Avenger

In this collection of Iron Man tales we get the following: the first issue of Iron Man: Armored Adventures,  Iron Man: Iron Protocols  #1, the premiere issue of Marvel Adventures: Iron Man, and issues 3 and 4 of Iron Man and Power Pack.  It’s a very eclectic collection of stories that range from all-ages to teen+.

In the Armored Adventures, a young Tony Stark is donning the golden armor. Desperate to know if he is friend or foe, Nick Fury sends a rookie SHIELD agent named ‘Hawkeye’ to discover the secrets of Iron Man.

Iron Protocols is taken from Tony Stark’s time as director of SHIELD. In this story, a SHIELD base is hijacked and armed missiles have the transforming base going suborbital and locking in on New York City. Only Iron Man can get to the base in time to diffuse the situations.

The Marvel Adventures tale reboots Tony Stark’s origin. Here, Stark and Prof. Yinsen are kidnapped by AIM and forced to create new weapons for the terrorist organization. You pretty much know the rest of that story. I’m not sure why a reboot of his origin was needed for Marvel Adventures unless editors thought Tony becoming injured by terrorists was less frightening that him being injured by stepping on a land mine.

Lastly, is a two-part story starring Power Pack. When a new museum exhibit featuring old Iron Man armor opens, the Power kids decide to take in the fun. However, the Puppet Master has plans of his own as he’s got a new device that causes the armor to come alive- unmanned! Guest Starring the Iron Avenger, the Power Pack will need all the help they can get to shut these walking suits of hi-tech armor down.  I like this story, but I don’t understand why Marvel only printed the last 2 issues of this team-up mini-series. I would’ve liked to have read the whole thing. Oh, well. I guess I’m now on the lookout for those issues individually.

A very good collection that is perfect for the amateur reader wanting a good jumping in point for Iron Man tales as well as the seasoned collector who might not have ever come across these all-ages gems.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers, Volume 1

This volume collects the Lockjaw & the Pet Avengers miniseries as well as a one-shot special, plus a Marvel Handbook to the World of Marvel Pets. In the miniseries, Lockjaw discovers that his owners, the In-humans and the Fantastic Four are looking for the Infinity gems. After the mutant dog discovers one, he begins teleporting throughout time and space of the Marvel Universe, collecting gems and allies along the way. The stars of this miniseries are Speedball’s cat Neils, Redwing, Falcon’s trusty bird, and May Parker’s pampered Pooch Ms. Kitty. (BTW- knock me over with a feather but Ms. Kitty is actually a he! Was that the case in Spider-man and his Amazing Friends?)

The one-shot is called Tails of the Pet Avengers. It features a variety of short stories, each one starring one of the members of the Pet Avengers. Most of the stories are very good but the best story is the Lockjaw story, in which he befriends an awkward teen who loves dragons and fantasy. It was heartwarming and very sweet.

As is the case with all of the Marvel Handbooks, this one of the Marvel Pets is not only exhaustive but exhausting. It’s filled with tons and tons of information about dozens of animals to occupy the Marvel Universe. IT wouldn’t be so bad if Marvel didn’t use such tiny print font. But if they used a regular size this entire book would probably been over 400 pages and retail for $39.99 or more!

A very interesting glimpse at a little thought about part of the Marvel Universe. When I think of superheroes with pets, I naturally think of DC. But this book opened my eyes and inspired me to read some further adventures.

Now if only DC would get on the ball and come out with a DC Pets team-up mini.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

 

 

Challengers of the Unknown #8

When reviewing the last issue, I said that the plot was “wrapped up into a very neat and tiny little package.” Gee- I couldn’t have been more wrong. In this final issue of the mini-series by Loeb & Sale, the remaining Challengers officially reunite while clearing their name while making Moffett an ‘unofficial’ Challenger. They also all seem to finally make peace with getting older and with the strange choices they’ve all made since the trail of the Challenger Mountain explosion.

I was very satisfied with the conclusion until I read a letter from scribe Jeph Loeb in the letters page. In that message, Loeb revealed that there was to be another mini-series in hopes of bringing the Challengers back into a monthly series. Well, for some reason that fell apart. While I am disappointed that this didn’t transpire, I realize that had if happened then we’d never have the fantastic Loeb/ Sale works such as ‘The Long Halloween’ and the Marvel ‘colors’ series. I guess the saying is true “when one door closes, another opens.” But just think what would’ve happened if DC had picked up Challengers as a monthly. Would we even have ‘The Long Halloween?’

I shudder at the thought…

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

 

 

Challengers of the Unknown #7

The Challengers and Moffett have finally learned the final fate of their deceased comrades as well as the identity of who blew up Challenger Mountain. But what they didn’t count on was who was behind all of this, as well as an epidemic of insanity that’s been turning normal people into cold-blooded killers. It all gets wrapped up into a very neat and tiny little package- Uh wait a minute!

This is an 8 issue mini-series and this is issue #7! What the heck is going on here? There’s no way that the Challengers are going to have time for another adventure in just 1 measly 32-page comic. I’m anxious to see what Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale have in store.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Challengers of the Unknown #6

Tabloid reporter Moffett once used to cover the exploits of the Challengers of the Unknown. Nowadays, he’s unemployed and can’t get any work- no matter how sleazy. His reputation has exceeded him and made him journalistic poison. So while Ace is trying to get the remnants of the team back together, Moffett has been receiving a number of bizarre messages compelling him to investigate the reason behind the Challenger Mountain explosion.

In this exciting chapter, some questions are answered- FINALLY! Who destroyed the Challenger’s base and killed two of them? Who has been sending Moffett these ethereal messages? And will the Challengers ever get back together! A fantastic issue with a cliff hanger I really didn’t see coming.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

 

Ghosted, volume 1: Haunted Heist

Ghosted is like Ocean’s 11 meets Reservoir Dogs meets Shawshank Redemption meets Ghostbusters (minus the comedy.) In this new series, an eccentric collector of the macabre busts a former bank robber out of prison in hopes to steal him a ghost from a condemned haunted house. The team assembled by the felon represents just about every archetype found in horror movies: you’ve got your skeptic, your gifted psychic, your slime ball who dabbles in black market voodoo, and you’ve got your ghost hunters. Added to the mix is a bad-ass babysitter with a slew of weapons who is responsible for keeping this band of ghost hunters on task and from back stabbing their very wealthy benefactor.

This series is extremely graphic. From the very first panel depicting a prisoner raping his cellmate to the rampant gore, betrayal, and otherworldly terrors, this is very much a product of the horror titles of the 70s, if written and penned by Quinten Tarantino. Oddly, enough, the book is heavy on just about every R-rated vice except for swears.

I liked this book even though it’s not quite my taste. Let’s face it- my days of being an R-rated fanboy are over. I’m in my late 30s and I am a family man. I like my more wholesome materials nowadays. That doesn’t mean I won’t pick up volume 2 as soon as it hits store shelves.

This story has a definite ending but ends with a “To Be Continued.” If anything, I am more interesting in finding out where this series is going than seeing cartoon T&A and illustrated violence. Will the adventures of this ghost hunting team continue or is GHOSTED mean to be a vignette series like FX’s American Horror Story. It’s that element that I am more interesting in than anything else.

Worth Consuming but should only be read for those aged 18 and up.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Challengers of the Unknown #5 (1991)

Things look bleak for the Challenger former known as Red and now going by “just Ryan, bub!” After being not so subtly told to get out of Gotham by a dark knight, Ryan went do to South America to offer his services as a soldier of fortune. Too bad he chooses the wrong side. Now undergoing months of torture, he’s finally ready to make his escape.

Or maybe things look even bleaker for the Challenger formerly known as Rocky and now going by his Christian name, Les. Fame as an action movie super star has taken its toll on Les. Fast cars, even faster women, and a raging addiction to alcohol have put this former adventurer in a sanitarium.

Then we’ve got Moffett, the reporter who lost his job covering the Challenger’s exploits. With no job, no prospects, and no way of ever bedding the hot new reporter who replaced him, things must be terrible, right? That would be if only a giant pile of gold doubloons didn’t just fall on his do step along with a mystical message to solve who or what did actually blow up Challenger mountain.

This issue was full of drama, mystery, and excitement. Oddly, Ryan’s tale seems to be a strange merger of the origins of the Punisher, Iron Man, and Wolverine. I know it’s a bit of a rip-off, but I really like the treatment Loeb and Sale have given the character. Plus I can’t wait to find out what happens to him and Les- how is he going to get out of that institution?

Hey, wasn’t there a third challenger? I wonder where he’ll figure into all of this. This series is awesome!

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Challengers of the Unknown #4 (1991)

The honeymoon is over. The Challengers have found that their new found independence isn’t quite as it was cracked up to be. Alcoholism, devastation, and betrayal are ruining the ‘sweet life’ for our aging heroes.

It’s not my favorite chapter in the series but it still continues to interest me. I’m not sure why I’m not so enthralled by this issue. Maybe it’s because things are looking bleak.

But you know what that means: things can only get better! Right?

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Challengers of the Unknown #3 (1991)

The surviving Challengers have split up and gone their own ways. Rocky is now an action star. Ace has decided to further his spiritual journey by learning the arcane arts. Red has gone a little loco and moved to Gotham in order to become the Punisher! Not only that, these heroes have dropped their youthful monikers and taken back up their real names as a sign of growing up and moving on.

I enjoyed this twist in having the remaining Challengers try to make it on their own. But what I enjoyed more were the Easter eggs. For example, ‘Ace’ is renting an apartment in Greenwich Village from a very strange doctor. If you haven’t figured out who I am talking about, maybe the sorcerer’s Asian man-servant will ring a few bells.

This series is excellent. It wasn’t a big hit when it came out in 1991 and to be honest, I think these 8 issues have been designated to bargain bins nationwide. However, the little touches that Loeb and Sale put into this book with the Easter eggs, homages to Kirby, and inside jokes is what made this series superb and a hidden gem worth discovering.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Challengers of the Unknown #2 (1991)

The surviving Challengers find themselves of trail for gross negligence in the wake of the explosion of Challenger mountain. There’s not a lot of action in the sense of fighting but there’s quite a bit of fighting- of the legal system that is.

This issue features several awesome cameos- one of which you might say is super! Plus in a nod to Challengers creator, Jack Kirby, there are also a few easter eggs featuring some, should I say, marvelous Kirby creations from the 60s.

The art is still fantastic and for a courtroom drama, the story itself isn’t bad. The ending left me scratching my head. But not because I was confused but because I don’t have a clue what’s going to happen next to the Challengers when the verdict is handed down with a shocking provisional attached.

Worth Consuming

The All-New X-Men volume 1: Yesterday’s X-Men (Marvel NOW!)

I was a little hesitant to read this book. I found it at the library and it’s been checked out at least once but I put off reading this title because I have yet to read the Avengers Vs X-Men (AVX) cross-over series that takes place immediately before the events of this book. I know a few things that happened during that cross-over event, like that XXXXXXXX kills XXXXX. (I’m not going to give out any spoilers here, folks! Yes, I found out thanks to spoilers- some were by accident from FB posts from friends and some were intentional like the blabbermouth headlines that reveal spoilers without warning from the idiots at Yahoo!)

Anyway, I was concerned that if I read this book first that I would be totally lost having not read anything from AVX. Thankfully, the writers do a very good job getting the casual reader of current X-Men titles, such as myself, up to date pretty quick within the first few pages of the first issue.

In the All-New X-Men, a dying Hank McCoy tries to fix the mess Cyclops and his Phoenix five have left of human/ mutant relations by going back in time and bringing the original line-up of X-Men to the present. He hopes that by having a younger Cyclops see how rotten he grows up to become it will shock him into changing events during the AVX storyline. But there’s a small winkle in Beast’s plan as a very young Jean Grey has developed her mind reading abilities way to soon thanks to the shock of travelling in the time stream. Will she be able to control herself while her team of displaced mutant heroes decides to make the most of the present?

This series is proof that what was old is young again. Although, there’s a big twist as the ‘current’ line-up of Wolverine, Storm, Blue Beast, Ice Man, and Kitty Pryde are now seen as the ‘old X-Men.’ There’s some really mind-bending quantum mechanics behind this new wrinkle in the X-Men time stream, but I liked it.

What I did not like was the pacing and paneling of these issues. Several pairs of pages have the sequence of events going from extreme left to extreme right, meaning instead of stopping at the bottom of page 2 you then pick up at the beginning top of pager 3 the reader’s eye is asked to go all the way across. What makes this confusing is sometimes there’s a panel that’s stuck in the middle of the two pages and after you finish page 2, you go to page 3 and find you’ve gone backwards somehow. I’ve haven’t seen creatively weird sequencing since the New Gods work of Jack Kirby. But at least he drew little arrows telling the reader which panel to follow next. Hopefully volume 2 will not have this problem or at least have those handy arrows lying around for direction purposes.

  The art in the series is a wonderful combination of gritty present meets classic retro. I love the color palette and the numerous variant covers depicting young and older selves of the classic X-Men as well as the stunning confrontation between young and old Scott Summers and Hank McCoy were stunning tributes to the Marvel Mutants. I am excited about this series and cannot wait to read volume 2 as well as finally read AVX!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8.5 out of 10 stars.

 

 

 

 

Thor: God of Thunder, volume 3: The Accursed (Marvel NOW!)

After the fall of the God Butcher, the three Thors of past, present, future return to their own timelines. Their memories of their exploits might be fading away, but that doesn’t mean we’ve seen the end of that Asgardian trinity. In a new storyline spanning generations, a threat from the past escapes Hel. This dark elf has one goal: become the leaders of the dark elves or kill them all. It doesn’t matter which course of action to this demented aspiring leader as if he’s the only dark elf left, he’ll still be the leader!

   In a plot that resembles Lord of the Rings, a group of warriors from the nine realms are assembled, led by Thor. Their mission: take that murdering elf down. Travels, adventure, sex, betrayal, and trickery await this assembly as the hunt down their prey. The only thing missing is an all-powerful ring that needs to be thrown into Mount Doom.

   But before Thor’s mission, we catch up with Jane Foster. Life’s dealt her a bad hand and you’ll never see Thor more venerable when he can’t fix her. It’s a touching reunion with hints of a new earthling romantic leading women waiting in the wings.

  This was a very good storyline. Though I swear I thought Gandalf was going to jump out any moment offering his assistance. (If Magneto would’ve somehow appeared in this story, I would’ve counted it!) There’s a lot of LOTR in this book and with the whisper of a coming war between the Dark Elves and Asgard, I’m sure we’re going to see more of the ‘League of Realms.’

  Is that so bad?  No, but compared to the last storyline in volume 1 and 2 of this series, ‘The Accursed’ does hold a candle to them. Plus, I was more interested in the new lady in Thor’s life. She’s a newly graduated SHIELD agent and the series seemed to have forgotten her after the conclusion of the first issue in this volume.

   Why introduce her if you’re going to forget she even existed an issue later? Does that character appear in other Marvel Comics that I don’t know about? I’m interested to see what writer Jason Aaron had planned for that plot angle.

  The art continued to be top notch with very interesting Norse art style touches. The covers were excellent and Thor is becoming one of my all-time favorite characters. This book, while a little too Tolkien for my tastes, has a very good opening chapter and a great closing chapter that focus on Thor and a dragon with dad issues. I’m still hooked and cannot wait for volume 4!

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Challengers of the Unknown #1 (1991)

Where to start with this reboot of the Jack Kirby classic Challengers of the Unknown. Well, for one thing, it’s not really a reboot. Usually when a series from the 50s or 60s gets another chance in the 90s or 2000s, I describe it as not being “your dad’s” superheroes or even “your granddad’s.” But when this mini-series starts, the Challengers are very much the super hero team that your parents or grandparents grew up with. Only, they got older.

 Now approaching 50, the Challengers are still searching out the unknown, they’re still super heroes and they are most definitely on borrowed time. Time, which is running out for our superhero team of non-super powered explorers, is now coming to a close as someone has planted a bomb in their not-so-secret base during a tour group meeting. The explosive cliffhanger promises to tear the team apart in ways unimaginable as some of the team will not make it out alive- well at least for a few issues. It is a comic book- you know that death isn’t always final in those.

   This opening chapter was fantastic. The writing was by the now legendary Jeph Loeb of HEROES and LOST fame, as well as countless comics from the big two publishers. I don’t think it’s his first work, but it’s pretty early. What is a first for Loeb is that this mini-series is the first ever teaming of the writer and artist Tim Sale. Sale, whose classic inking and water color style is a favorite of mine, is fantastic. With works like The Long Halloween and the color series of Marvel tales in their future, I’m excited to see what this duo comes up with next in issue 2.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

The Werewolf of New York: A Supernatural Law Book

I’m a big supporter of Kickstarter. Let me take that back- I love the idea behind Kickstarter. I’ve yet to ever donate any money to anyone’s projects.

  For those in the ‘no’ Kickstarter is a web site were people who have a project, be it a book, piece of art, a film, or restaurant, that they’d like to do but lack the funds to get starter. These dreamers put together a business plan in hopes of intriguing potential investors. If the project is fully funded, then as repayment, the hopeful entrepreneurs will offer rewards that could range from an autographed CD all the way to a fully catered banquet for you and forty of your friends. The size of the reward is in regards to the amount of money you donate. I think all projects must start with a $1 donation but can go for thousands of dollars.

  I mention all of this because the book I am reviewing came to be thanks to a Kickstarter project. The Werewolf of New York is the latest book in the Supernatural Law series. The brain child of Batton Lash, Supernatural Law follows the law firm of Wolff and Byrd and their high-profile law firm that only takes on cases of the macabre. In this, the first ever graphic novel featuring the team, a reformed werewolf is allowed parole only if he undergoes rehab to rid himself of his monthly urge to howl at the moon.

  Standing in the young man’s way is a group of pro-werewolf activists who feel that such legal judgments are unjust. Wolff and Byrd seem to have the man on the road to recovery when sightings of a mad wolfman begin suddenly. Has our paroled wolf fallen back off the wagon or is this groups of ‘pricks’, that have taken a strange interest in his affliction, behind these new attacks? (I use the word pricks only as it’s an inside joke used to describe the protesters often based on an anagram of their name- not as an insult.)

  I’ve been a fan of Wolff and Byrd for years. Their adventures are bizarre, funny, and actually very technical in a legal sense. Artist and Writer Batton Lash has a very clean style of art and it make look familiar to you. Thanks because Lash has been a frequent contributor to Archie Comics for decades. Here’s my only problem with his art- it’s inconsistent in terms of character renderings. Look at the cover- the werewolf looks super creepy (that’s good), the female, Wolff, looks like a stunning 80s bombshell (that’s good, too), while the guy, Byrd, is all round and dumpy like a fat Reggie (that’s not good!)

  Some characters possess a stylized quality shown in some of the best horror comics of the 70s. Yet ever once and a while, Lash slips in a character that food some reason looks like one of the Archie gang. Why can’t the characters be all gothic looking or all residents of Riverdale?

  When it comes to plotting and storytelling, Lash is top notch and I really have no complaints there. He is known to overuse a joke to the point of near exhaustion. But that can be overlooked as even the characters themselves seem to know that fact. Finding Supernatural Law books is hard to do. It’s an Indy title and a web comic, something I did not know until I read the afterword (or was it the preface?)

I got lucky to find this on the new arrivals shelf of a used book story for literally a song. But now that I know how to get my hands on more material frequently (and in its intended format) I’ll be a frequenting the Supernatural Law web page for here on out. And don’t worry; I haven’t given up on paper comics- a web comic is supposed to be on the web (though it doesn’t hurt to put them to paper.) Plus the web comics’ medium is a great way for aspiring comic artists and writers to get their material out there in hopes of attracting a crowd and maybe a publisher in a more economical fashion. Batton Lash, being a user of Kickstarter understands this. He used his web page to promote this book as well as achieve funding through Kickstarter. Lash understands that a comic is meant for paper. Sadly, the economy makes this fact very hard for the little guy. So, support web comics, folks and hopefully one day they’ll end up where they belong- on the shelf or in the long boxes of your comic book collection.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales: Donner Dinner Party

In this edition of Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales, the patriot cum martyr regales his captors with the gruesome story of the Donner Party. From the beginning of their wagon train in Illinois to meeting up with a trail master in Independence Missouri through the barren salt flats of Utah till their ultimate perilous stop in the wilds of California, every tragic episode is told in horrible detail. There’s murder, death, cannibalism, betrayal, and stupidity- AND it’s all true!

The book is geared for ages 8-12 but the subject matter may actually up the reading level to 11 and up. Once again, many of the references in this book’s bibliography are from adult text books. What gears this book for kids is the silly jokes and goofy nature of some of the characters. For example, the patriarch of the Reed family is shown as a buffoon who likes to name places after himself and sing songs of how he slew a buffalo. The author, whose name actually is Nathan Hale, admits in the afterword to using some poetic license to lighten the tone of this history lesson.

    I love these stories- juvenile or not. There’s looks of facts mixed in with the fictional goofiness and the author is very careful to let readers know at books end what stuff was real and what was fictionalized. There’s another volume due out soon- if not already and I can’t wait for it to come out.

Once again, thank you Orange County (NC) Public Library for carrying another great series of graphic novels that I otherwise would’ve overlooked if you didn’t obtain them for readers like me.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

 

Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales: One Dead Spy

 This is the first book in the series, but it’s not the first book I’ve read from it. NHHT, as the author commonly refers to this series, stars Nathan Hale as the narrator. Just before he is to be hung during the Revolutionary War, Hale was given the ability to see all of American History (as his last words have earned him a place in the history books.) His execution by hangman and a British officer is stayed as long as he regales them with stories.

Up ‘first’ is the story of how Nathan Hale joined the revolution up to his capture as a spy. NHHT’s are my kind of comics. As a former educator and a history major, I am a big supporter of medias that make learning fun. I think it’s because I was such a fan of Schoolhouse Rock as a child. But let’s be honest- what’s more fun to learn: the memorization of the periodic table or to have a band like the Ramones belt out a turn helping you to remember the atomic weight of boron?

Sure, this series is geared for ages 10-14. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t learn anything from this book. For example, I didn’t know that Hale has a mole on his neck and it was considered such a bad luck charm that fellow school children teased him that he’d be hung by the neck by a noose. That’s a very interesting fact- but not something a 6-year old should probably be learning. Also just about every book in the bibliography used for research are geared for adults. Thus, I think I’ve proven that Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales offers something for everyone!

A fantastic series that I just can’t wait until I get my hands on the next one.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

 

Superman Family Adventures #3, (corrected)

 

How I got my hands on 2 issues of Superman Family Adventures is a common story in my blog. I found them at the library. As a fan of Art Baltazar and Franco, I would love to add  their DC titles to my collection. But since they keep turning up at my local library, it allows me to savor them for free and spend my money on other harder to find (at the library) titles.

  In this issue, Superman has bestowed his pal Jimmy Olsen with a special watch that will summon the Superman family in the event of an emergency. Eager to show his classmates that he is indeed buddies with the man of Steel, Jimmy uses the watch to alert the superhero of an assortment of troubles. The only problem, the watch keeps summoning the Super pets!

   Another laugh riot that’s geared for kids but has something adults will enjoy. Like a Disney film, there’s a little something for everyone. Thus, these books by Baltazar and Franco are perfect for parents to read as bedtime stories.

  

Worth Consuming.

 

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Superman Family Adventures #6

The dynamic team of Art Baltazar and Franco has done it again. First it was Tiny Titans- it’s a series that I must confess has turned me into a fan of the Teen Titans. Then the creative dup did this series- Superman Family Adventures. The title is in homage to Superman Family, a series in the 70s that contained original stories and reprints of not just Superman, but him as a boy, his cousin Supergirl, his best bud Jimmy Olsen, and his girlfriend Lois Lane. Sometimes, you get stories starring his myriad of villains, super pets, and friends and family. It was a Superman lover’s dream. And I had he first issue, I might add. It was awesome.

  This all-ages tribute to the Family of Steel captures that classic series perfectly. But instead of everyone starring in their own tales, the entire gang has adventures together. Added to the mix are more current Superman allies such as Steel and his niece Natasha. Also, we’ve got STAR labs and some of schoolyard chums of Kara and Connor Kent. Plus Ma and Pa Kent are alive in the DC Universe at the time of this publication and appear whereas they were both dead in the pre-Crisis 70s.

  The art might be childish but the Easter eggs and stories themselves bolster the all-ages appeal that will make kids and their parents enjoy this series for hours and hours. In this issue, the character of Metallo is introduced as an astronaut who becomes infected by sub-orbital kryptonite. Though he’s big and bad, he’s not as bad as his criminal counter-part in the adult comics. But that’s okay. It’s a forgivable tweak to a characters origin that won’t cause fans when they get older to hate. Plus, it makes for the issue to be more all-age friendly and parents of children wanting to become engrossed in comics will find this story more acceptable.

  It’s a real tragedy that with the coming of the New 52 universe, series like this and Tiny Titans got the heave-ho.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Batman: Turning Points

Turning Points is a five issue series that highlights the strange friendship between Jim Gordon and the Dark Knight. Taken from their earliest encounters, we see the strange evolution of begrudging trust mold into a symbiotic guardianship of Gotham City. Unwavering partnership was never the final destination of these two. As long of Gordon never really knows whose under the cowl, there will be the slightest doubt as to the Caped Crusader ability to not cross the line from vigilante into ruthless criminal.

Each issue features a famous artist and writer duo from the past 70 some odd years of Batman’s career. I loved issue one very much as it was a return to Frank Miller’s Batman: Year One storyline. Though, I wish they’d got Miller to do the writing or at least the plotting. Other issues involve Gordon going up the GCPD ranks from Lieutenant to Captain to ultimately Commissioner while Batman goes through a number of partners and gains members of the Batman family.

I do wish that the fourth issue wasn’t set when Azrael was the Batman. I know that that issue highlighted the doubt that will forever linger in the back of Gordon’s head like I mentioned earlier. I just wish that all five chapters could’ve involved the Bruce Wayne Batman. Also, I think a sixth issue epilogue would’ve been great. That one could’ve been set during the Dark Knight Returns timeline and maybe in a twist featured the Batman: Beyond Caped Crusader rising to ranks as the new protector of Gotham City.

While that story would’ve been awesome, the final chapter is a unique and heartwarming ending to events that unfold in issue 1. Thus a cycle of what is old is new again is complete. So, despite my fan boy dream team, I think Turning Points ended as strongly as it began a fantastic tribute to two of the DC Universe’s most trusted crime fighters.

Worth Consuming.

Rating:

Issue 1: 10, Issue 2: 10 Issue 3: 7, Issue 4: 3 Issue 5: 9

Overall Rating: 8 out of 10

The L.A.W. (Living Assault Weapons) #6 of 6

 

If you notice on this cover, the final one of this mini-series, it depicts Captain Atom. The same Captain Atom who will one day become Monarch. The same Captain Atom who was a member of the Justice League. And do you know what Captain Atom has done in the past 5 issues? Absolutely nothing!

   In issue 1, he is summoned to fight the demon hordes of Avatar and gets captured pretty quick. In issues 2-4, you see Captain Atom stuck in a mystical glass cage, unable to break free. In the last issue, his body has been so drained of his atomic powers, he’s morphed into a giant gray slug by the time he’s finally rescued. What was the point of having him as a member of the L.A.W. if he’s not going to do anything?

  I would’ve rather another Charlton character have been used if all Captain Atom was going to do but be the centerpiece of a giant snow globe. Where was Peter Cannon- Thunderbolt for goodness sake? Use him!

   In my last review, I mentioned that I didn’t understand why this was a 6 issue mini-series if the villain was going to be eliminated in issue 5. Well, I discovered just what DC had in store and I liked it. The issue takes place with The Question writing an article about the after math. Shades of Rorschach in Watchmen, perhaps? Since they took so long to build up the L.A.W. team, it was good of DC to take extra time showing the readers what happened next. I was quite happy with the outcome and thought that this was a decent ending to the series. I am disappointed that this new team didn’t really catch on. I would like to have seen more of their adventures. But, it didn’t catch on and some much has changed in the past 25 years since this book was published with the DC Universe, I’m sure that opportunity has past.

   However, that doesn’t mean I can’t go on a search for the old Charlton books and maybe find a few in a bargain bin. That’s a testament to how well a job DC Comics did, despite the Captain Atom fiasco, in crafting a whole ‘universe’ of characters that I grew to know more about.

   Worth Consuming.

 

Issue Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Overall Rating of the Series: 8.5

 

The L.A.W. (Living Assault Weapons) #5 of 6

 

  This issue sees the release of the JLA from Avatar’s extra-dimensional prison spell. That action could make this comic become a JLA title real quick. Thankfully, that powers that be remembered that this mini-series was supposed to star some of the super-heroes from the Charlton Comics line of the 60s and 70s. The JLA do join the fight with the L.A.W. but their role is support only. Kudos! DC, you made the right choice about this.

   Now, here’s something I am very confused about. This issue ends with the fall of Avatar. I won’t spoil how it’s done or by whom. However, I feel that I must point out that this is issue 5 of a 6 issue mini-series. So, if the villain is vanquished, what are the Living Assault Weapons going to do for their curtain call next issue? Take on another big threat to the earth and manage to defeat it in less than 32 pages?

   I’m very interested to see how that’s going to play out.

 

Worth Consuming.

 

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Astro City, volume 9: Through Open Doors

  The end of just about every issue of Astro City has a street sign on the bottom last page that says “Now Leaving Astro City. Please Drive Safe.” Well every time I read an Astro City comic book, I feel like I’ve taken an extensive tour or a living, breathing city filled with costumed heroes, villains, and everyday Joes just trying to make a living while hell breaks loose daily. During this tour, series creator Kurt Busiek recalls tales of the city’s early days, gives glimpses into the workings of city hall, the local food trucks (like Luft Waffle, A German brunch truck!), and provides in depth character studies of the residents.

    I love it.

   During this tour of the city, a strange ambassador from outer space has requested some assistance in learning about life on earth. While this official is educated, a group of super-powered citizens team up to take down a megalomaniac trying to build a super powered army with kidnapped Astro City residents, and we learn about the Astro City call center, designed to help super heroes know when and where a crisis has arisen. Plus, we take a small trek through the Astro City underworld through the eyes of an up-and-coming mob boss.

  This hard cover collects the first 6 issues since Astro City became a Vertigo property. The completion of this volume made it my fourth or fifth trek through Astro City. Even with a new land lord, the quality of stories, the pathos of characters, and the gritty beauty of the city has not been altered one bit! Plus, there are some awesome painted covers and character sketches by my favoricomic artist, Alex Ross!

I love this book so much. I cannot wait for more. I’m very glad to learn that Astro City has a home with DC/ Vertigo and maybe one day we’ll see Superman face his ‘dopple-danger’ the Samaritan someday soon.

   Did I mention I loved this book?

Worth Consuming.

 Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

The L.A.W. (Living Assault Weapons) #4 of 6

 

 The issue 3 promised that in this issue’s fight between Judomaster and Avatar, one of these two will die. Well, if it’s the Avatar then what the hack is going to happen in the next 2 issues? And if Judomaster kicks the bucket then how will Avatar achieve some sort of final retribution since the Judomaster is inadvertently behind the villain’s reason for turning evil?

   I’m not going to reveal who dies but one of these two characters really does die. I will say that there is a M. Night Shyamalan type twist behind that characters death. No, it’s not a ‘Lady in the Water’ type twist. This is an honest to god ‘Sixth Sense’ quality level twist! I love it!

  Yet another great issue in this underrated series. It’s perhaps my favorite in the entire series- it’s definitely the best thus far.

 

Worth Consuming.

 

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.