G.I. Joe Origins Omnibus Volume 1

      There are 2 people you call on if you want to reboot the G.I. Joe franchise to reflect a more modern era war on terror: Larry Hama and Chuck Dixon.

      Hama is the granddaddy of G.I. Joe. He crafted all of the backgrounds of the 1980s era action figures and documented their exploits in the pages of the Marvel Comics adaptations. 

     Chuck Dixon took over the reigns as head writer for G.I. Joe when the license switched over from Marvel to Devil's Due Publishing in the late 90s and early 2000s.

      So when IDW Publishing decided to publish the definitive origin of both the Joes and Cobra, they called on both Hama and Dixon to do it. Featuring a slew of IDW's best artists, including Ben Templesmith (30 Days of Night) and Andrea Mutti (Highlander), this was a thrilling look at how the fight between good and evil got started before the Marvel Comic series even got started. Cobra Commander has never looked more evil and Snake Eyes has never been more cooler!

    Worth Consuming!

    Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.
       

Batman, Volume 10: Epilogue (The New 52!)

 
    Scott Snyder closes out his epic run on Batman in this final volume of the New 52! 
 
    As Gotham City rebuilds from Mister Bloom's reign of terror, Bruce Wayne returns to Wayne Manor. Has he also returned to the Bat Cave, as well?

    Featuring a wide array of tales that span Bruce Wayne and the Batman's past, present, and future, this was a fitting end to the New 52! era Dark Knight. 

   Worth Consuming!

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Doctor Bananas, Monkey Magician #1 (Family Comic Friday)

    He's a doctor...
    He's a magician...
    He's a monkey...
   
    In facts, he's all three things rolled into one and he's tons of fun too. 

    He is Doctor Bananas, Monkey Magician!

    In this premier issue by artist and writer Luke Foster, Doctor Bananas is on the hunt for a magical artifact that can do any wondrous thing. In a twist on the legend of the Monkey's Paw, our hero battles a witch named Siobhan, who is trying to sell a magical simian hand at a swap meet. The talisman just happens to be Doctor Bananas' missing right hand and the wizard has better act fast because every time he uses his magic against the paw, the powers backfire onto him, rapidly aging him. 

    Can Doctor Bananas get what is rightfully his (pun intended) before his clock runs out?

    Doctor Bananas, Monkey Magician is an all-ages comic that is completely bizarre and yet the most funny thing you'll read in a long time. I first learned about the comic a couple of weeks ago when I meet Luke Foster at the Oak City NCComiCon in Raleigh, NC. I devoured this book when I got home that night but due to a very busy work schedule, it's taken me a while to get a chance to do a Family Comic Friday post. 

      I feel terrible making you guys wait so long for this review. But in the time that has elapsed, a fourth issue of Doctor Bananas has been published. Sadly, it's also the last...

     But don't fret. Readers can order the adventures of Doctor Bananas through the Indy Planet website (either print or digital) or digital-only via Comixology. 

     So what are you waiting for? Go, check it out now! Laughs await!

     Worth Consuming

     Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

The New Teen Titans: Terra Incognito

     
     The Teen Titans have just accepted their first new member since this incarnation's formation. Her name is Terra and with the ability to manipulate earth and soil, she's like a muddier version of Magneto. Claiming to have been a member of the Markovian Royal Family and recently escaped her kidnappers, elements of her story don't add up. Can Terra be trusted or is she a wolf in sheep's clothing?
       Meanwhile Dick Grayson is struggling to maintain balance as the Titans' leader, Robin, as well as being Batman's sidekick, and as a college student. Trying to become his own man, Dick's relationship with fellow teammate Starfire is in serious jeopardy as well. Adding to his problems is an Assistant District attorney named Adrian Chase, who's quest for justice against a mob boss who keeps skirting jail time, may send the Boy Wonder down a rabbit hole of bent rules and lawless vigilantism to which there is no return.
       The New Teen Titans by the legendary team of Marv Wolfman and George Perez were DC's answer to the revitalized X-Men. Those merry mutants from Marvel were a great read, but unless you had a chart to assist you, it was really hard trying to keep up with the endless characters and soap opera style story-lines that writer Chris Claremont weaved throughout a number of titles. Titans seems to have that same soapy feel as X-Men, and there are quite a bit of players all over the place- but it's of a lesser (and easier to follow) extent.
      Recently, I've been trying to clear my bookcases of things that I amassed but wasn't 100% sure if after I did, that I'd want to keep it. This volume was from my best friend's collection I inherited a couple of years ago. He was a huge Teen Titans fan and I had held on to it because of that. 
    So, what's the verdict?
    I'm hooked. I want the other volumes! This was a tremendously fun read and I want to know what happened before this storyline and I definitely have to know what happened afterwards. 
    Plus, if you collect the short-lived 80s series Vigilante like I do, then you will want this volume as it details the character's origin are covered in great detail. 
     There might even be some backstory to the Crisis on Infinite Earths lurking around a few corners in this awesome collection.
     A true classic made by some of the masters of the comic book industry.

    Worth Consuming

     Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Batman, Volume 9: Bloom (The New 52!)

   

There's a terrifying new villain in Gotham City. Calling himself Mister Bloom, this new enemy is supplying the gangs of Gotham with bio-engineered 'seeds.' In reality, these seeds are a sort of nanobot steroid that are turning the criminal element into superhuman powerhouses. Claiming to be the Joker to Jim Gordon's Batman, Mister Bloom just might have what it takes to destroy the Bat and his city forever.
    Meanwhile, the fate of Bruce Wayne is revealed. But what about the Joker? Did he too survive Endgame?
    Bloom is a brutal character and I quite like him. Despite being Gordon's Joker, he's the direct opposite, if anything. Mister Bloom seeks order in the face of chaos where as the Clown Prince of Crime is quite the opposite. Refreshing- though I wish Bloom's identity would have been revealed- or was it I missed all the clues?
    As for the return of Bruce Wayne- I like how he's basically got a new lease on life. Of course, you know he's eventually going to return to the mantle of the Bat, but for right now having a completely reborn Bruce Wayne without the scars and wounds of years as a vigilante hero, is pretty awesome. Plus, the theory of how a Bruce Wayne Batman can continue on for decades to come is perhaps the most unique twist on the future of the Dark Knight mythos since the introduction of Terry McGinnis in Batman Beyond.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Batman, Volume 8: Superheavy (The New 52!)

   In the wake of Endgame, the threat of the Joker is over but Batman has fallen. Without its protector, the citizen's of Gotham City are in peril from the scores of gangs and members of the Dark Knight's Rogue's Gallery that are fighting for their piece of the pie.

      Enter the Powers Corporation, a conglomerate that has the crazy idea to fashion a new Batman. Combining the latest technology and the best of Gotham City Police Department's finest, Powers Corp hopes to create the ultimate Dark Knight. But when the members of the force wash out, the company's CEO has her wackiest idea yet- make Jim Gordon the new Batman!

       When it was revealed a few years back that Commissioner Gordon would be the next Batman, I felt like Gordon did: it was the stupidest idea I've ever heard! But writer Scott Snyder did a fantastic job explaining away how it was possible a 45-year old man, who smokes a pack a week, could get himself in shape to become the ultimate physical specimen, Batman. 

    Short answer: lots of implants, surgery, and intense training.
    Another classic segment of one of the few shining spots in the New 52. Superb writing. Excellent art by Greg Capullo. And tons of action and adventure.

    Worth Consuming

    Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Astro City, Volume 12: Lover's Quarrel

    Enjoy another trip to Astro City with your guides Kurt Busiek, Brent Anderson, and Alex Ross. On this trek, discover the love/ hate on again/ off again relationship of Quarrel and Crackerjack through the numerous back alleys and secret headquarters of the community. Then enjoy the music scene of Astro City as the silver-back (and super-smart) gorilla Stick ventures from his Arctic paradise homeland to the City of Heroes in hopes of becoming a drummer.

     It's another fun journey to one of my favorite fictional cities. The Quarrel story started off a little rough, but once I realized who the narrator really was, the story got quite intriguing and quite good. The Stick story was brilliant. It was a tribute to comicdom's long-running obsession with apes. I'll admit, I had to flip ahead because I was going to be quite mad if this volume ended with dead monkey.

(SPOILER: It didn't.)

    Another great volume. I was a bit disappointed that this volume didn't include the ubiquitous sketch book section. There was a script section instead but it wasn't quite the same...

    Worth Consuming

    Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

1977: A Madman Turns 40: 2017- Day 112

   I know it's been a while since I have done A Madman Turns 40 posting. It's been a crazy month. But things are changing- for the good- and I should be having some more availability to do post again very soon.

   Today's look at my favorite year has a couple of noteworthy achievements. 

   First of all marks the opening of the first Broadway show of Annie. It's the musical adventure of the young orphan girl who rises from the ashes and gets adopted by the ultra-rich baldy, Daddy Warbucks. Based on the comic strip Little Orphan Annie, the show ran for 3,277 performances (77- there's that number again. Huh...) and spawned 2 film versions, a beloved soundtrack, and made Annie a household name again. 

    Then from the Strange But True file, New York Yankees Manager Billy Martin had a unique strategy in his match-up against the Toronto Blue Jays. He picked his starting line-up out of a hat! Not only did he allow fate to choose for him- the Yankees won 8-6! I wonder if he used the hat for when he needed relief pitchers...?

    Well, that's my look at my favorite year for the day. Hopefully I'll be back real soon to look at another aspect of 1977.

   Until then... 

1977: A Madman Turns 40: 2017- Day 105

 

  It's a very happy day here at Casa Madman- Doctor Who returns today!

  I've been watching Doctor Who since I was a little guy. I'd come home from pre-school or kindergarten and every day at 5pm on PBS, I'd watch the adventures of the Doctor and his TARDIS as he battled monsters, robots, and baddies galore.

   So in honor of tonight's season premieres, let's look at Doctor Who in the year I was born.

   In 1977, the Doctor was the bohemian Tom Baker. With his unruly hair, wicked sense of humor, and extremely long scarf, Baker was and still is a fan-favorite. (His replacement, Peter Davison is MY Doctor. But Baker is clearly in my top 5!)

    The Fourth Doctor's companion in 1977 was the warrior Leela. Played by Louise Jameson, she added a bit of sex appeal to the series as she ran around most of the time in a leather bikini. But she was fierce and could kick serious butt.

    Another companion of the Doctor was his robot dog, K-9. He was oh so faithful to the Doctor, calling him master and using his lasers to save the Doctor when the chips were down.

    One of my favorite things about the show was the theme song. I'm addicted to every version and variant of it. So before I go, I just had to share with you the theme as it would've been in good ole 1977.

    Enjoy...

   

1977: A Madman Turns 40: 2017- Day 102

    I know I've not been around very much the past week or so. I didn't mean to be away but some things at my work got really, really serious and not in a good way. Playing on my anxiety disorder heavily, the events at work have taken it's toll. I've been afraid of my shadow- but I've also been working to get out of the situation as well. 

   In some ways, it has sparked a sort of mid-life crisis. 

   Last year, I got my dream job as a culinary instructor. Right now, I can only teach part-time but with some certifications and more education, I can increase the number of hours I can be a chef instructor. Well, I am convinced after the troubles I have been having at work and the meeting I had a couple of days later when the dean of culinary, that God is telling me it's time to focus on the ultimate goal- teaching full-time.

    In 2 weeks, I will be free from my current full-time position. But the fear and anxiety still linger there. Oddly enough, the thought of going part-time, becoming a house-husband, and going back to some sort of schooling doesn't add to it. I hope I will be able to post again daily (not just A Madman Turns 40 but my reviews of books and other things geek.) But it's also been hard not to want to hide under a rock. But today's post is a start.

   I'll be back soon...

   Until next time.

1977: A Madman Turns 40:2017 Day- 95

    Folks, some days you just don't feel up to posting. I had a really rough day yesterday and I'm not really having such a great day after. No, I'm not starting to feel the affects of turning 40. This is all professional and being someone with an anxiety disorder, the looming hours till my next shift is starting to weigh on me. 

    So, forgive me for not sharing some big moment in 1977 history today. In fact, I may not get a chance tomorrow either...

1977: A Madman Turns 40: 2017- Day 94

    I've been eagerly awaiting the day to do this post. 40 years ago today, the Toronto Blue Jays played their very first major league baseball game. The event took place in Toronto, where the Jays defeated the Chicago White Sox 9-5. 

A snowy opening day.

    This game is most notable as is was actually delayed by the weather; not for rain but for snow! Played in outdoorsy Exhibition Stadium, it was because of white that the score was so high. It's really hard to see a tiny white baseball in the snow properly. Eventually, snow wouldn't be a problem as the stadium would be replaced with the Rogers Centre, AKA Skydome: a stadium with retractable roof, build-in hotel, and impressive shopping accommodations. 

    The Blue Jays have a special place in my heart. When I first started collecting baseball cards to be like the other fellas, I didn't know which team to choose. So, I decided that I would buy a pack of cards and the first team I got would be my favorite team. (Just please, don't be the New York Yankees!) 

    Well, my first card was a 1988 Topps card of George Bell of the Toronto Blue Jays(#718, All-Star Game Card.)

 I didn't know where Toronto was, so I decided to give it one more try. Card #2 was of Jimmy Key, a pitcher with the Toronto Blue Jays. Figuring life was trying to tell my something, I became a Blue Jays fan.

    Being the fan of an obscure team isn't easy as a kid. But it paid off as in 1992 and 93, the Blue Jays won the World Series. ('91-'93 was a pretty good year for me as my favorite teams the Duke Blue Devils, Toronto Blue Jays, and Pittsburgh Penguins all won back-to-back championships in those years!!!) Feeling vindicated, I wore my World Series Championship shirts with pride and maybe the scorn of my fellow classmates.

Blue Jays Anniversary Patches over the years.

   Over the years, I would fall out of touch with the Blue Jays. I still like them and I was rooting for them when they were in the Playoffs last year. As an adult, I'm Pittsburgh Trinity all the way- Pirates, Steelers, Pens. However, I married into a Yankees family and have to put up with that fandom begrudgingly. (Go METS!!!) But, you never forget your first love and I will always have a fondness for the boys in blue- Go Blue Jays!

   Until Tomorrow...

    

  

1977: A Madman Turns 40: 2017- Day 93

The iconic Lucky Strike smoke stack
and Lucky Strike tower, Summer 1977.

   

  Today I start teaching for the Sprint Quarter at the Art Institute of Raleigh-Durham. It's where I went to culinary and I just love teaching. This branch is located at the American Tobacco Campus in Durham, NC.

   Folks if I have to pick a favorite place in the world- it's the ATC. I have such fond memories from my time working for the Durham Bulls and going to Ai. Now I continue to make those memories as I work there.

Ads such as this 1977 Benson & Hedges one
were crafted at the American Tobacco Campus.

   

 So I thought for today's post I would take a brief look at American Tobacco circa the year of my birth- good ole 1977. I know it's fudging the rules a little bit. But hey, it's my journey as I turn 40...

Until tomorrow...

Star Trek Gold Key 100 Page Spectacular #1

     Collecting some of the earliest Star Trek issues by the now defunct Gold Key Comics. The point of this 100-page special isn't so much as being able to full some key missing issues in your collection- though that helps. Instead, this special highlights some of the very odd discrepancies between the classic sci-fi series and the comics.

     Continuity and production errors include:

• Captain Kirk and Sulu's tunics were green- NOT Gold!
• Scotty looks less like James Doohan and more like Robert Stack of Unsolved Mysteries fame.
• In most panels, Spock's ears take over 3/4 of the side of his head.
• The nacelles of the Enterprise spits fire.
• The Klingons all look like Mr. Clean in purple onesies- in other words: white, bald, and in need of a diaper change. 

     I could highlight some further errors, but I don't wanna spoil all the fun.

     The problems that occur in these issues is something I never really thought about, but it explains a lot. Comics based on movies and TV shows usually go into production before the product ever airs. So all the writers and artists had to go on are production photos, some rough drafts, and maybe some sketches. The rest is just made up. Thankfully, if a series gets popular, the production team of the comic book can start to make the two entities sync up

      This was a very interesting read, especially the essay at the end of this volume that delves into the backstory behind the early days of the very first Star Trek comic book. As a fan of MST3K, I had a lot of fun with this book in which you can't really complain about the flaws as that's really the whole point of this special.

      As I had mentioned earlier, this collection also isn't really ideal if you are looking to complete your Gold Key run. But as the first issue, collected here, is valued at anywhere between $500-$1600 depending on edition and condition, this is an affordable way to get your hands on the story without breaking the bank. 

    Worth Consuming

    Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

   

1977: A Madman Turns 40: 2017: Day 92

  
 Today in Madman history, the race horse Red Rum won it's historic 3rd Grand National Race in Steeplechase at the Aintree racecourse. For those of you not in the know, steeplechase is when a jockey riding atop a horse runs a course littered with little walls made of differing materials. 

   
    Now, I'm not picking this event in 1977 history because I'm a fan of horse racing or anything like that. I've seen races on TV and I could probably tell you the names of a handful of horses and probably tell you even less of their accomplishments. But it was the name of the horse that struck me- Red Rum!

   Red Rum is murder spelled backwards. Well, this was the horse's 3rd championship and by 1977 Red Rum was already 10 years old. But if you remember in January, I did an article about the Stephen King novel The Shining and it's debut. In the book, young Danny Torrance sees the word 'Murder' spelled in blood on his wall. But the kid sees it from the reflection of a mirror across the room from his bed. So he keeps screaming 'Red Rum... Red Rum...'

   I thought Stephen King was the first to figure that out. Well, obviously, at least the owner of the race horse Red Rum figured it out first.

    Well, that's my look at 1977 history for today. See you tomorrow when I'll be showing up somewhere else in A Madman Turns 40...

1977: A Madman Turns 40: 2017- Day 91

  It was a very busy day in Madman History today- I just hope I can cover them all:

A shining star snuffed out too soon,

• The Big Bang Theory of the creation of the universe was first address by physicists in a physical review by scientists in Europe.
• The ruins of Pompeii, destroyed centuries earlier by the blast of Mt. Vesuvius were rediscovered by Spaniard Rocque Joaquin de Alcubierre.

He looks like a happy birthday boy doesn't he?

• Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak found Apple Computer in Jobs' parent's garage.
• New Orleans businessman Oliver Pollock invents the '$' sign.
• It was a busy day for births of famous people as Donut maker Otto von Bismarck, American writer Brad Meltzer, and Holy Roman Emperor Louis IV was born today while the world mourned the loss of Elanor of Aquitaine, Scott Joplin, and Marvin Gaye.
• Tragically, the passing of the Hale-Bopp comet saw dozens of cult members take their own lives in an effort of being beamed aboard the space ship riding the heavenly bodies tail.

• In the realm of love and marriage, Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye tie the knot and never have a moment of infidelity or strife while sadly Duff of Guns N' Roses separates from his bride.
• Lastly, Jon Favereau's live-action version on the Jungle Book opened and was the biggest draw for the weekend.

     Well, if it seems like April 1st, 1977 was busier than usual- that's cause it was. All of the events happened on the first day of April. But they happened in different years.

     APRIL FOOL'S EVERYBODY!!!