Bruce Lee #1(2022 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

Despite a very short career, Bruce Lee is a martial arts icon. Born in San Francisco, Lee was the child of British Hong Kong parents. Thus with dual citizenship, Lee was able to simultaneously operate in both Asia's burgeoning kung-fu cinema industry and classic American Hollywood.

Dying suddenly of cerebral edema in 1973, Bruce Lee's filmography is relatively short. Lee appeared in about 2 dozen TV shows and films as a child in Hong Kong before having to flee the region due to his hot-headed temper and ability to run afoul of the police. While in the states, Lee started to privately practicing his techniques while in enrolled in a Seattle university studying philosophy. 

After meeting his wife Linda Emery, Lee dropped out of college to open his own martial arts school in Oakland, Ca. Bruce started to appear in competitions and developed a strong following. During an exhibition, Lee caught the eye of producer William Dozier. Originally, the Batman '66 exec wanted to cast Lee as one of master detective Charlie Chan's children in a weekly mystery series. While that project never materialized, Dozier eventually cast Bruce Lee in the Batman spin-off, The Green Hornet with Lee playing the role of faithful butler/sidekick Kato.

The Green Hornet only lasted one season. Out of work, Bruce opened The Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute. Lee believed that traditional martial arts were too restrictive. So he developed a system called Jeet Kune Do which incorporated weight training for strength, running for stamina as well as elements of boxing, fencing and other Western fighting styles. While the Chinese community wasn't exactly fond of Bruce's style nor his  willingness to teach Americans, the development of Jeet Kune Do opened Lee up to the next phase of his acting career- movies.

Because of his role on The Green Hornet, Lee attracted celebrities, athletes and tinsel town high rollers to his new school. Even though new film and TV roles were pouring in, Lee was not happy with being stereotyped in them. Also being robbed of a starring role and producer/creator credit on what would become the martial arts/Western hybrid Kung-Fu didn't help matters any. So Lee returned to Hong Kong where he learned that his role as Kato had shot him into super-stardom in his former home country. 

Bruce's first leading role was 1971's The Big Boss followed up by the immensely popular Fists of Fury (1972). Lee directed himself in his third venture, Way of the Dragon. American audiences really took notice of Lee's films and the growing popularity in kung-fu in general led to Lee returning to America. In 1973, Warner Bros.' Enter The Dragon sealed Bruce Lee's iconic status on celluloid. But it was his tragic and mysterious death while working on his final official film role, The Game of Death that cemented Bruce Lee's legend.

The death of Bruce Lee placed him up there with gone too soon movie icons such as James Dean and Marilyn Monroe. All three of these fallen stars have had numerous movies, documentaries, songs and more devoted to them. But neither Dean nor Monroe have ever had a comic book series created about them. 

In 1993, Universal Pictures released Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story in theaters. The bio-pic was extremely popular and it unleashed a wave of interest in Bruce Lee to a new generation of fans. Riding on that wave of nostalgia, Malibu Comics obtained the rights to craft a 6-issue miniseries about the adventures of Bruce Lee. 

Simply titled Bruce Lee, the comic book is quasi-autobiographical. It has Lee in a more modern set Long Beach California attempting to open his own dojo. Not able to afford his own place, Bruce works out a deal with a landlord where in exchange for free lessons, Bruce can use the site of an old bakery for free until he can get on his feet. Complicating matters is that Bruce's new business is right across the street from a a celebrity-run martial arts school whose training techniques are rather questionable; including use of steroids and the selling of cocaine.

In the first issue, one of the students of the rival school challenges Lee to a fight. Bruce mops the floor up with this guy. Disgraced and enraged, the rival master attempts to frame Bruce and his school by planting a dying man with a nearly empty syringe of some sort of drug on the floor inside Lee's academy. TO BE CONTINUED...

The story was written by Mike Baron. This wasn't Baron's first foray in writing a Bruce Lee related comic. While with Now Entertainment, Baron crafted the scripts for 1991's Kato of the Green Hornet mini and its 1992 sequel. 

While working on that sequel, Mike Baron teamed with Val Mayervik (Howard the Duck). A former assistant of Dan Adkins, Mayervik trained with P. Craig Russell. The embellished muscle mass of the characters and the shaded penciled effects of the artwork evoke the influences of both Adkins and Russell. Thanks to Mayervik's affiliation with the Bruce Lee project, Baron was able to achieve his dream of working on a series devoted not to a Lee character but Bruce the legend.

1994's Bruce Lee was not the only series based on the icon. In 2016, Darby Pop released a 4-issue mini titled Bruce Lee: The Dragon Rises. It was co-written by Indestructible's Jeff Kline and Shannon Lee, daughter of the late martial arts actor! In that story, Lee didn't die but was instead transported to the modern day 2010s. With thugs and government agents on his trail, Lee must team with an old friend to solve the mystery of his disappearance and mysterious return. 

This issue was an interesting opening chapter. The interior illustrations of Bruce Lee are much better representations than from that on the cover. Though both the cover Lee and the one in this story also have that over-the-top mullet. The main villain is styled to resemble an older Chuck Norris with a Van Damme build. The dialogue, especially of the bad guys is very 1990s action movie fodder. But the story itself reads like the kind of film Bruce might have gotten to make had he lived into his 40s or 50s. Consider this a lost movie adaptation from an alternate earth in which the career of Bruce Lee was not tragically shortened. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Completing this review completes Task #47 (Based on a Real Person) of the 2022 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge. 

Fantastic Four: Unstable Molecules (2022 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

Fantastic Four: Unstable Molecules- the 2004 Eisner Award Winner for Best Limited Series.

Set in the late 1950s, Dr. Reed Richards is a rising physics superstar at Columbia University. On the verge of making a breakthrough with fabrics made from unsteady particles, the professor is also quite controversial. Accused of stealing formulas and discoveries from other scientists, Richards faces a series of potential lawsuits. Still, the potential loss of face isn't enough to deter the US military from requesting his help against the Red Menace of Communism!

Young Sue Sturm (not a typo) has been thrust into a role she did ask for. After the death of both parents in an automobile accident, Sue has had to raise her brother Johnny alone since he was 6. After several years of trying to raise a rebellious teen while playing the happy housewife is taking its toll on Sue. Johnny is frequently getting into trouble skipping school and stealing cars and fiance Reed seems more interested in his experiments instead of settling down.

Meanwhile, Ben Grimm is working as a boxing trainer after his own career has faded. Unable to stay in a stable relationship, Ben has just celebrated his one-month relationship with his latest gal. But deep down in his heart, Ben still kindles a flame for the one who got away- Sue Sturm.

This 2003 miniseries was an interesting concept. Fantastic Four: Unstable Molecules imagines if the First Family of Marvel were inspired by real people. However, unlike the perceived positivism of the 1950s nuclear family, things are anything but idyllic for the foursome who would be immortalized in countless comic books, movies, cartoons and action figures as the Fantastic Four. 

There's a cohesive story of a single day in the life of Reed, the Sturms and Ben. Along with the comic portions, there are a series of documents and interviews from the 'real life' inspirations of the FF and their friends. I love how the fourth issue of this series ties in how Stan, Jack and the rest of the Bullpen were invited to a wild party thrown by Sue and Reed and it led to the eventual creation of the comic book. But I really wish that those extra segments at the back of each comic would have explained what happened to those inspirations in real life. And do it without conflicting accounts.

In issue one, miniseries writer James Sturm tells readers that since Sue and Johnny Sturm were distant relatives, the Drawn & Quarterly scribe was inspired to write a biography about them. I understand that it's all pretend. But in that introduction to readers, James Sturm talked about how the inspirations were in real life adventurers. Yet in issue 3, in an interview with Johnny's best friend (taken years later, of course), the fiery blond youngster ended up becoming a fringe poet who like to use fire as a motif. If these fake extras would have been consistent, I would have been pleased. But with each issue contradicting each other on the 'facts', I was sorely disappointed.

This isn't your father's Fantastic Four. Heck, it might not even be my FF. This miniseries was rated PG+. While the series isn't full of blood and gore; it's a far cry from the World's Greatest Comics Magazine. There's the scene where Johnny is exploring his body. I've never encountered the Human Torch doing such a thing! Another scene that comes to mind is where Ben gets plastered and calls the girl who rebuffed him some pretty rude names that Aunt Petunia wouldn't condone. 

But there is one thing that this 'true tale' captures fairly well: the dysfunction of Reed, Ben, Sue and Johnny. Sadly, what is missing from these inspirations is what Stan and Jack made forefront in the Fantastic Four comic- LOVE.

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.

Completing this review completes Task #45 (An Eisner or Hugo Award winning book) of the 2022 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge. 

Credo: The Rose Wilder Lane Story

I choose to read this book for a couple of reasons. I have a feeling that my wife will also enjoy this book. Plus, I really liked creator Peter Bagge's biography of Zora Neale Hurston. The main subject of this book is Rose Wilder Lane; the daughter of one Laura Ingalls Wilder; writer and main character of the Little House on the Prairie series of books.

My wife grew up in the 70s and 80s during a time when interest in Laura Ingalls Wilder's autobiographical books was at a resurgence thanks to the Little House on the Prairie TV show that starred Michael Landon and Melissa Gilbert. I think my wife would have been considered a fanatic of Little House as a kid. She read all of the books- numerous times over! She watched the show religiously, refusing to go to bed until after the program ended. And for Halloween and just regular kid play time, she and her sister would dress up as the characters and play with the neighbor children as Laura and sister Caroline.

Anyways, back to Rose. If it wasn't for Lane, the Little House books might never have happened. Laura was great at recalling past events. But she was unable to divert from the facts to make her tales very interesting. Thus, it's safe to say that Rose was definitely the editor of Laura's memoirs. There's also a very good argument amongst fans that she may have rewritten if not completely ghost written a very large portion of the books. While Rose's contributions to Laura's writings are the main reason I (and probably my wife will) read this book, it's actually not her only contribution to the literary world.

Rose Wilder Lane was a pioneering feminist writer in the 1930s-early 50s. Wilder toured much of Europe and chronicled her visits in a number of publications including The Saturday Evening Post and Woman's Day. She was like a precursor to the Travel Channel! Much of her earliest fiction writings were considered scandalous if only for the tawdry episodes of romance and passion that the stories contained. Though it didn't help that it was a woman who was writing such 'trash.' But it was her political essays that got the writer into the most trouble.

Among those who favor smaller government, Rose Wilder Lane is considered a pioneer of Libertarianism. She was also a staunch anti-Communist and anti-Fascist. This won her a lot of fans who were afraid of the rise of political tyrannies in Europe and Asia as well as government overreach at home. Yet, during World War II, when Lane began to criticize FDR's New Deal policies, the writer began to incur the wraith of the FBI. All of a sudden, Lane was deemed unpatriotic. In retaliation, Lane stepped up her critique of American policy, including the unfair treatment of blacks and women. She also decided to forgo large paychecks in order to not have to pay the government a single dime from her coffers!

To say Rose Wilder Lane was an odd duck is putting it mildly. Thanks to her pioneer upbringing, she was fiercely independent. Lane couldn't stay still, travelling and pulling up stakes frequently. She might have been bi-sexual based on some of her long-time companions. The writer might have been involved in a couple of cults; though they were way less creepy than a lot of the ones we see on the news nowadays. Sadly, Rose also suffered from bi-polar disorder.

I really feel that Lane's mental illness was the one thing that Peter Bagge glossed over. Bagge merely hints at the possible homosexual affairs as there's never been definitive proof of such. But Lane had a tragic stillbirth, which resulted in an emergency hysterectomy. The loss of the chance to become a mother haunted her throughout her life and resulted in the unofficial adoption of many children and grandchildren. Peter Bagge does chronicle these relationships. I just don't feel that he really captures the lows Lane suffered from as much as focusing on her highs.

I gotta say that Peter Bagge doesn't paint a rosy picture of Laura Ingalls Wilder. She seemed like a mean old biddy and I'm glad she wasn't my grandmother! From how my wife talked, I thought Laura and her husband Almanzo were this perfect, loving couple. In reality, she was such a bitter person that the man Laura dubbed 'Manly' was seriously emasculated. As for Rose, I really think Laura did anything but make her life a living hell. No wonder Rose wanted to be anywhere but where she was!

A powerful account of an almost forgotten character of 20th century American history. With an extensive notes section, full of photos and facts, it was a good read. Though, a magnifying glass with that small print font might be needed.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

The Nightmare Brigade, Vol. 2: Into the Woods (Family Comic Friday)

Rarely after I read something do I go online to buy the sequel at full price. I mean, I've gone online to buy follow-up pieces before. But I'm a bargain hunter and I am willing to wait for a deal. Not this time!

Last month I read and reviewed the first volume of the French comic The Nightmare Brigade. As I was rushing to get the book returned to my local library, I didn't treat it as a Family Comic Friday offering. I saw it on the new shelf in the kids graphic novel section at the library. From reading the back cover I knew that this was going to be a different kind of read. But I didn't expect to be blown away by the amazing storytelling of the first volume!

When I got to the last page, I was incensed! The first volume, which collected English translations of the first two issues, closed on a cliff hanger! I couldn't believe it! The revelation made on that very last page is what made me research when the second book was coming out. Thankfully, I learned on the Papercutz website that my wait would only be a month. And as I said, I immediately ordered me a copy of book 2!

When we left the residents of the sleep clinic, amnesiac Esteban learned the truth about his missing past. To begin this volume, Esteban awakens to find he's home??? The man and woman who own the house claim to be his parents and that Esteban's time at Doctor Albert Angus' facility was a delusion. If that's all true, where are the rest of the Nightmare Brigade?

Heading to the clinic, Esteban finds it overrun by the performers of a strange circus. The clinic staff have been held hostage. Friends Tristan and Sarah are missing and Dr. Angus has been drugged and placed inside the sleep chamber. Even worse, the evil patient Leonard appears to be freed from his cell and running the whole operation!

As with volume 1, this book reprints 2 issues of the French series. With how trippy and twisty the first segment was, I was seriously wondering if my love for this series was premature. I had imagined this was what the movie Inception was like, if I had seen the film. But by the time I finished the second story, I realized that my wavering faith in The Nightmare Brigade was premature. 

I can personally attest that all of the mysteries that were put forth in the first volume are answered in this edition. I wondered if such a move by author Franck Thilliez might have been a mistake. Yet by the end of the book, there's about a half dozen more riddles that need solving. They've got me hooked again! But this time, I don't have a clue when they're gonna release book 3!

The horror!

Neither Amazon nor publisher Papercutz has a recommended age group for this book. Therefore, I'm going to have the recommendation myself. I would say based on the scary characters, the intense physiological mystery and the occasional mild swear, readers who are in grades 4th-7th should have no trouble enjoying this book. Though I wouldn't be surprised if young adult readers as well as parents and guardians become as obsessed as I am with the Nightmare Brigade. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #133

We close the book on a lengthy and ludicrous Iron Fist story to roll right into... another Iron Fist story??? Steve Lightle is back on art duty. But the writer for this one is Dan Slott (Fantastic Four)! 

Now it's only the first chapter. But so far, so good. Assisting Danny Rand are the Daughters of the Dragon, Misty Knight and Colleen Wing. Unlike in the previous Iron Fist story, they're both being used appropriately. It's a good thing too, as they're all pitted against the Yakuza led by Sabretooth! Looks promising. Fingers crossed.

The one-shot story is a vampire tale starring Cloak & Dagger. A female vampire has her sights on Dagger- in particular that strange void-like power of his. As a kid, I always thought Dagger was a vampire. So it's interesting to see that the writer of this story, Chuck Kim (Doctor Strange) felt the same I did.

For our continuing stories- I'm in opposite directions. I love the Midnight Run sort of turn the Wolverine and Cyber story. That band of cannibal islanders has turned against Cyber. Seeing his mutant power as part of a well fortified meal, the Wolverine foe must team with Logan or else they'll both be on the menu!

As for the Ghost Rider and Luke Cage story, I've given up on it. The concept of some sort of demon that thrives on love instead of hate is just absurd. The parts where Cage is trying to solve the murder of one of his exes is great. Why writer Karl Bollers (Sonic the Hedgehog) couldn't have just stuck with that is a real head scratcher. I don't think Ghost Rider or any of his supernatural elements add anything to this story. 

A good offering with a promising introductory Iron Fist chapter.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Emergency! #4

Issue #4 was the final issue of this series. While poor sales of the series wouldn't surprise me considering how much Charlton Comics was floundering by the mid-70s, I think the fact that Emergency! was in it's last season had more to do with it.

Based on the first issue, which I reviewed earlier this week, the story here followed the show's formula a lot more closely. Gage rescues a movie star from a car crash during a rescue call. When photographers capture the actress planting a smooch on Johnny as they exit the ambulance, it sets up a whirlwind romance. Sure, the staff of Rampart Emergency and the crew at Station 51 give the paramedic his fair share of ribbing. That he can deal with. But when the actress starts showing up at all of Squad 51's calls, Johnny finds that he may have to call things off.

At least 2 episodes of the live action version of Emergency! actually involved the paramedics and their rescues being impacted by 'fans.' A third episode had Roy dealing with a former patient who develops a crush on him after he rescues her from an action. But that paramour is never seen on screen. 

A big scene of this issue takes place at the mansion of the starlet. While it wasn't common to have the action take place during Roy and John's free time; it did happen occasionally. One episode that comes to mind is when the guys get invited to a Hollywood actor's house party after they rescued him from an angry bear. 

What was unusual for that scene is that it features in only the second time in franchise history Roy's often mentioned wife Joanne. Until this issue, her only appearance was in the pilot 2 hour TV-movie, 'The Wentworth-Townsend Act.' For a limited one-time brief role with maybe only 2 lines in her only scene, the artist of this issue actually did a reasonable job of capturing the likeness of the actress who played Joanne DeSoto, Kathryn Kelly Wiget. As for who is the illustrator of this issue, once again it's a young John Byrne (Sensational She-Hulk).

As for the likenesses of actors Kevin Tighe and Randolph Mantooth, once more they are spot on. My favorite character, Dr. Early, played by jazz legend Bobby Troup, pops up in the story this time. And Dr. Brackett is in the background in one or two panels. Both good likenesses. But no nurse Dixie! Also missing are the regular crew of Engine 51. No Chet, Mike or Marco. We see someone named Capt. But it's not Captain Stanley nor the actor who portrayed him on TV, Michael Norell. I know that because the character didn't have a thick mustache!

I wonder why none of the minor characters are used in either issue I read. Was it all because of the licensing of likenesses? Seems like such a minor thing. But with Charlton known for being a notoriously penny-pinching publisher, it wouldn't surprise me one bit. 

Again as with issue #1, there's a short prose story. It involved Squad 51 getting called to a domestic disturbance and being held hostage by a gunman. It was a clever story. But like the main illustrated feature, it had an abrupt ending. Let me tell you, that feature ending actually had me scared. The word 'end 'was so tiny that I overlooked it completely. Thus when I turned a page and saw ads, I was afraid that my wife's issue was missing pages. Coming across such a print error has happened to me before. It's infuriating. But thankfully that wasn't the case here.

A much better issue than felt more like an Emergency! comic than just a random story about first responders. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #132

A new multi-parter starring Wolverine begins in this issue and I'm really excited about it for once. That's because Cyber, the one villain that actually scares the crap outta Logan, has returned! The X-Man is vacationing on an island paradise where he comes across a beautiful native being pursued by a blood cult! Not one to see a girl in distress, Wolvie attempts to play Superman and ends up in dank pit with his worst enemy- Cyber!

I really can't figure out the Ghost Rider/Cage team-up. On the surface, it's a crime noir mystery with Luke Cage trying to find the madman who killed an ex-flame of his. As we dig deeper into the onion, we find that Ghost Rider is trying to stop the demonic entity that is behind the motives of the serial killer. A being powered not by hate but love!

In the single issue story, Iron Man takes on an armored villain. Big surprise there...

Lastly, that horrible Iron Fist Vs. Hydra story comes to a close. This was an adventure that had a lot of promise. Yet poor use of back-up characters and really implausible plotting of Danny Rand made this an absolutely awful story that I couldn't wait for to end! Most people lament not wanting a story to end. How many people actually want something they read to conclude?

The Wolverine story has a lot of promise. The Ghost Rider/Cage story is interesting but also something I can't quite figure out. The Iron Man story was cliched. And finally, I can put to rest that Iron Fist tale. I'm going to rate this book a tad higher than I normally would if just for the mercy killing of that clunker of a kung-fu yarn.

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #131

A sensual villainess that appeared in the very first issue of this series makes a return to Madripoor. It's her desire to cause a wedge between lovers Wolverine and Tyger Tiger. A lethal wedge!

Ghost Rider Danny Ketch teams with Luke Cage, who at this time is only going by his last name. A serial killer has murdered a old flame of the former hero for hire. In a weird twist, the killer is under the influence of not the living embodiment of hate but the personification of love!

Speaking of former heroes for hire, the Iron Fist story seems to have been powered (unfortunately) by the Energizer Bunny. This thing just keeps going and going and going. Please! Make it end!

Along with the Wolverine story which is a one-and-done tale, we've also got an 8-pager starring the Scott Lang Ant-Man. A thief has stolen some experimental materials from Stark International. As a security expert, Ant-Man is on the case. But for Scott Lang, as a father, this mission is personal as the thief has also taken a child hostage. 

The Ant-Man story involves some of Lang's ants dying. I didn't like that. I've just resented the Iron Fist serial. I'm so through with it. The Wolverine story was interesting as I like Tyger Tiger and the femme fatale in the story peaks my interest. As for the Ghost Rider story, it seems rather ludicrous. But with the twist in modus operandi for the villain, I'm willing to give it a couple more chapters before really passing judgment.

A middle of the road issue of MCP.

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.

Adam-12 #2

In my review yesterday of Emergency! #1, I promised a surprise pick today. Well, I kept my word. It's Adam-12 #2 from Gold Key Comics. 

Adam-12 was a half-hour police procedural that ran on NBC from 1968-1975. A spin-off of the cult classic series, Dragnet, this show followed officers Malloy and Reed as they served the people of L.A.'s Rampart District in their patrol car, #012.

It's interesting to note that while this comic book series was produced by the Gold Key/Whitman conglomerate, sister series Emergency! was produced by Charlton Comics. I would have thought that having both series produced by Jack Webb's Mark VII productions, all of the subsequent comics would also be by the same publisher. However, Webb was known to be a stickler for quality and he must not have been happy with the results of the Adam-12 book. Maybe that's why it's not until 1976 before an Emergency! comic would hit newsstands. Jack Webb was looking for an adequate replacement from Gold Key/Whitman to make comic book versions of his other property.

In my opinion, the Adam-12 book was actually the superior offering of the two franchise adaptations. The artwork was much more cleaner and the likenesses of actors Martin Milner and Kent McCord were pretty good. Well, except for that one panel in which McCord's character Reed appears to be taking a tumble off a city roof. In that frame, Kent McCord looks more like Fred Gwynne of Car 54...Where of You? fame. Alas, the image on the cover of this issue is not the one I am referring to.

There are 2 stories in this issue. The first story was the much better of the pair. It involves the officers being assigned to protect a foreign dignitary from an assassin until federal agents can replace them. I've only seen like 2 episodes of the show. But the formula seemed on par. The only real flaw with that first tale was that the reason why international officials in the Los Angeles area were being targeted wasn't explained. I know that a terrorist group is involved. I just don't know what their motive was. Is it global warming? Imperialism? Wage Inequity? I couldn't tell you.

Case #2 involves an occupant who refuses to leave his tenement home, a shady landlord, a gas station robbery, some really loud classical music, and a mysterious female news reporter. You might not think these characters and events are even related. But they are.

I patted myself on the back as I solved a couple of the mysteries swirling around in this crime story. Though there was a red herring or two that kept me on my toes. Still, I wasn't quite as satisfied with the back-up feature as the overall plot was a little clunky.

I'm guessing Gold Key/Whitman didn't give a fig about their first class postal status as there isn't a prose story included in this issue. 

Until a week or so ago, I didn't even know that such a comic book adaptation existed. But you can be sure that when I found this copy, I used my signature exclamation of 'Mine!' while placing it in my pull pile. I'd love to praise the artists and writers of this issue. But I can't as there's no such credits given. That's actually not all that rare even though by the mid-70s comic book workers were beginning to gain respectability again after the whole 1950s comics scare debacle.

I thought Adam-12 #2 was better than Emergency! #1 not because I liked the cop show better. Like I said earlier: I've only watched a couple of Adam-12 episodes. What made me more of a fan of this comic was due to the use of both illustrated and photographic images from the TV show on the cover, plots that were more similar to the formula of the series and cleaner artwork. 

Maybe my extensive knowledge about Emergency! made me more judgmental of it's technical merits and professional jargon. For all I know, Malloy and Reed don't really act or sound like they do on the show as they are portrayed in this book. So maybe ignorance is bliss in the case of Adam-12 the comic book. Regardless of that, I think this was a entertaining read that will fit nicely in my collection of TV and Movie comic book adaptations. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Emergency! #1

Inspired by having just finished an old issue of Dr. Kildare and a back issue surprise that I'll be getting to tomorrow, I raided my wife's tiny comic book collection. My bride is a huge fan of the TV show Emergency! Running on NBC for most of the 1970s, the show followed the crew of station house 51. With the newly formed paramedic program, fire fighters John Gage and Roy DeSoto were tasked with saving the people of Los Angeles County while educating Californians about emergency services. 

At the time of the show, there were roughly 2 dozen paramedic crews operating in a county the size of Connecticut with a population of Chicago occupying it. The landscape varies from densely packed urban sprawl to sparse wilderness areas filled with cliffs, coastline and lush forests. Thus, Roy and Johnny were expected to save lives hanging from the sides of buildings as well as in the middle of a raging wild fire while being coached via a primitive form of cellular phone by the doctors at Rampart Emergency!

This premiere issue based on the TV show doesn't really follow the format of the series. The story has Roy and John responding to a warehouse fire. Then about 10 pages are devoted to a pair of police officers that have never once appeared on the show, trying to find the owner of the building. On about page 12, we return to the paramedics who learn that the fire was a case of arson and radioactive material stored inside has been stolen. With their shift over, Roy goes home for his wife's birthday. Johnny decides to play detective and with the help of the LAPD, finds the culprit and the stolen material. 

I don't understand why a third of the story focused on characters not even on the show. Sure, cops appear on the series from time to time. But, they're secondary characters at best and not once has the action ever shifted away from Roy and John over to the other boys in blue. Yes, occasionally, Roy and Johnny play detective to help solve a crime or some sort of injustice. But they've never done it off the books in the kind of Dirty Harry without guns sort of way like in this issue.

The artwork for this issue was by comics legend X-Men's John Byrne. Equally legendary is the cover artist, Joe Staton (Dick Tracy). So, I was kinda puzzled by a goof made by him at the beginning of the story. Roy tells John that they need to put on air masks before entering the warehouse fire. Yet, that never happens. Plus, I thought that the ending in which the doctors of Rampart callously watch a patient die alone from radiation sickness was just so very unlike the characters. But that sort of blame is on the writer of which whose name escapes me.

I've learned over the past couple of years that some TV/Movie comic adaptations were rush jobs. The purpose of these books was advanced advertising, mostly to kids. In some cases, the characters had yet to be cast and nor were the sets built. There weren't even established scripts to cull from! So the authors and illustrators had to use a lot of creative license. The earliest Dell Star Trek comics were guilty of this. But Emergency! #1 debuted in 1976; several years after the show had already been on air. So, I really don't understand why the departure from the established tropes of the live action original.

The prose short story, included in order for the publication to maintain its first class postage status, captures the show's format almost perfectly. It's about an elderly man who lives alone and how the paramedics rallied around the guy to keep him active and social. Not the most perfectly written story as at one point Johnny tells Dr. Early over the bio-phone to give the patient an IV. That should be the other way around.

Issue #1 wasn't the worst TV adaptation I've ever come across. (A 1980s version of Lost in Space has that current distinction). It's just that a majority of the flaws that occur in this book are things you'd expect in early run books. Not something to find in stuff based on properties already established on TV. Nice renderings of the actors who play Roy and Johnny. And a very youthful but amazing capture of songstress Julie London who played head nurse Dixie McCall. 

It's a good overall interpretation of Emergency! Only it doesn't quite feel like an episode of the 70s medical adventure drama.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Economix: How Our Economy Works (and Doesn't Work) in Words and Pictures (2022 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

Prior to releasing his book Economix in 2012, writer Michael Goodwin took a bunch of volumes on the economy, moved to India, settled in and did extensive research on the economy. For over 2 years, Goodwin combs over theories by noted economists such as Adam Smith, Keynes, Friedman, Ricardo. Even less conventional 'experts' like Marx and Engels are explored in this graphic novel exploration of how money makes the world go round. 

Along with the theories, Michael Goodwin examined how those theories impacted the markets and society as a whole in practice in business; both public and private. To do this, the author has a global look at economics. But being an American, Goodwin's focus in this book is the American economy. And boy did the United States make a ton of blunders when it comes to money. 

Goodwin does a fairly decent job just recording the facts. But it's hard for anyone to give a balanced, straight line approach without putting too much of yourself in a book such as this. I could only read this book in small chunks, considering how infuriating a lot those blunders made me. I would say that the author presents 'just the facts' about 70% of the time with about 30% emotions and opinions running the narrative. 

As for the visuals, it's a mix of line graphs, cartoon and caricature. Tasked with all of this is artist Dan E. Burr (Presidential Misadventures). The line graphs went over my head. I'm strictly a bar graph and pie chart man myself. I thought the cartoons had that unifying feel as noted years ago by Scott McCloud. The caricatures, while definitely something you might see on the Jersey Boardwalk, captured the images of 300 years of politicians, dignitaries and economic experts pretty well. 

As I mentioned earlier, this book was not something I could consume in just a couple of days. It took me almost the entire month of July, 2022 to complete it. There was a lot of theory, a ton of history and a gigantic amount of injustice. Economix made me think a lot about the spending of cash; how I spend it; and how changes in the regime shifts our cash flow. Being a school teacher in a specialized subject, I'm scared to death about losing my funding and my job in the wake of the mid-term election and 2024. 

My eyes are also opened quite a bit to the amount of excess being put upon our world. It moved me so much that I'm ready to cut my spending, live more sustainably and stop buying things I don't need. And then I saw the new line of comic book tees available for sale on Facebook...

Guess I've got a long way to go before I change the world. 

Worth Consuming! - But it surely will infuriate you from time to time!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Completing this review completes Task #11 (About Business) of the 2022 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge. 

Dr. Kildare #3

There's just something about the TV comic book adaptations from Gold Key and Dell. They're a little bit dated and yet I find them to be classic, wholesome, fun reads. Even though I might not have ever seen the TV series the book was based on, if I can find one for a good deal, I'm gonna get it. 

All of that is exactly the case for how I ended up with today's book: Dr. Kildare #3. I've never seen the show. My mom might have been a fan; I just don't rightly recall. I know star Richard Chamberlain right well from his starring in miniseries like Shogun and The Thornbirds. Yet upon a recent trip to a used bookstore, I found a copy of Dell's adaption of the young surgeon who often finds love with his patients or their loved ones, for less than $2! And since I had trade credit, I just couldn't pass it up. 

This issue is from 1962, during a time where America is riding a high wave of positivism. The Kennedy Camelot is in full swing. Vietnam is a distant blip down the road. And though dark days are ahead, an economic boom is making Americans feel euphoric and invulnerable right now. But that's not the case for Dr. James Kildare.

A shortage of doctors has Kildare working double shifts. Managing a few hours of sleep, the young surgeon is called back into the hospital to care for a young woman injured in a gruesome car wreck. The surgery is intense. But it's the drama outside the operating room that is boiling over. 

The girl's father doesn't approve of her boyfriend, a struggling playwright. Complicating matters is that the patient's injuries aren't properly healing. With Kildare needing to go back in to do some complicated skin grafts, can the doctor also heal the rift between his patient's loved ones?

As a secondary plot, Kildare's mentor, Dr. Gillespie, must amputate the leg of a very young boy. An act which really rattles the elder physician and Kildare uses as a learning opportunity.

Having watched the TV show Emergency! a ton of times with my wife, I am not very surprised at how technical the medical dramas of the 60s and 70s were. But I am surprised how detailed a 1962 comic book aimed at young readers was. In the first 1-2 pages, Kildare works on a gunshot patient. That in itself probably isn't too controversial for the time period. But the GSW was a head wound with a very gruesome wound. Even more surprising is that this book doesn't have a Comics Codes label on the cover!

Adding to the medical jargon that fills this story are 3 educational one-page comics that fill the inside covers and the back outside cover. Two of them are about doctors and their influence in military history and aviation lore. The third strip is about how researchers develop vaccines. The story is basically about Dr. Jonas Salk and one of the sketches is clearly that of the polio vaccine developer. But I'm stumped as to why they don't acknowledge Salk and his achievement in that segment...

The artwork was a pretty good representation of star Richard Chamberlain. Unlike with my experience with the Car 54... Where Are You? comics, it doesn't appear that the artist kept reusing the same 5 or 6 head sketches of each main character. But I am sure I'd need to see other issues of the series to know that for sure. 

As for the appearances of other characters in this book, I have no idea if they look like the actors they're meant to resemble or not. I'm just not that familar with them or the show. I do wish that whoever colored this book would have got Kildare's hair color right. He was not a man with raven colored locks.

I also thought that the plot was a bit too full. Dell was guilty of this a lot. They'd build up this really engaging story that was complex and rather intelligent. Then- BAM! They'd run out of pages and everything is sloppily wrapped up in 2 pages. We don't really find out what happened to the kid amputee and that might be Dr. Kildare in the last panel. It just doesn't look like him and it's not mentioned. 

I tend to be a little kind to these abrupt endings like when I reviewed that batch of John Wayne movie adaptations from Dell. But there's no excuse here. I understand that according to US Postal regulations, the publisher had to include a prose story in order to maintain their first class postage. So no complaints for that. But there was a very clunky 4 page story about a pair of doctors operating in the African bush that could have been set aside for a future publication in order to devote a little more time and energy to the main story. 

For the price I paid for a 60 year old comic from a publisher I hold dear in my heart and memories, I don't regret my purchase. It was very entertaining. But it wasn't perfect. You can still like things that have flaws to them. If only the rest of the world could be a lot less like the dad in this book and overlook the blemishes in others.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Jack and the Box (Family Comic Friday)

Did you ever read The Cat in the Hat and wish it was a comic book or graphic novel? Well, you almost have your wish with the Level 1 adventure from Toon BOOKS, Jack and the Box!

Young Jack is a bunny whose parents have given him a new toy. It's a Jack-in-the Box named Zack! And new buddy Zack is full of surprises! 

Written and illustrated by graphic novel legend Art Speigelman (Maus: A Survivor's Tale), this is an early reader that can introduce the youngest of younger readers in your life to sequential art! Jack and the Box uses repetitive words, many of which are visually cued by the artwork. A lot of the words rhyme; like how Jack's toy is named Zack. And speaking of Zack- he's going to surprise the whole family with just all the magical stuff he can do!

I really think Art Spiegelman tapped into his inner Dr. Seuss with this book. Don't believe me? Just wait till you see what Zack can do once he and Jack start playing hide-and-go-seek! The ending to this book might not be as dramatic as The Cat in the Hat, but you'll definitely feel the vibe of Things 1 and 2 by the time you reach the end!

Jack and the Box is a very short and quick 32 pages. While it's a speedy read, the laughs and surprises are going to make this read a book that everyone is going to want to enjoy again and again!

A 2008 release by a graphic novel legend is sure to become a new classic.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #130

The Wolverine story comes to a close in this issue. While I did around the mid-point of this event say that this adventure was getting a little boring and predictable, about 2 or 3 issues ago, this book turned into a bit of a screwball comedy and I was reinvigorated. The tale of Logan trying to protect a young mutant girl from numerous interested parties ended with a promising conclusion. One of which that actually has me a little bit interested to see what is in store for the child referred to only as Lynx.

The Ghost Rider/Typhoid Mary story also ends. This one didn't really peak my interest with a comeback or anything. But it very much does guarantee that readers are going to see a third segment that will tie in Mary's run-ins with both Danny Ketch and Wolverine!

The Iron Fist story is just spinning its wheels. If this was a horse, and I owned a gun, I would have shot it! If Danny Rand just wouldn't be doing everything opposite that I'd expect from the character of Iron Fist, I might enjoy this Hydra heavy story. Did his recent death and resurrection in previous pages of MCP screw with his head or something?

In the single issue story, the Navajo superhero American Eagle returns. This is just his second appearance in 3 issues! Still in the Big Apple, the protagonist is recruited by the NYPD to help take down a mutant on a killing spree. 

The American Eagle stories by John Figueroa (Marvel Knights) and Ron Wilson (What If...?) have been fantastic. I would rather have had a multi-parter where the hero was called to New York City for a family friend and then stick around for a while helping out the police with unusual cases. The fish out of water type story would have been way more entertaining than the farce that the Iron Fist story has become. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Immortal Hulk, Vol 4: Abomination

When I last left the Immortal Hulk, he had just completed a venture through Hades, reunited unsuccessfully with ex Betty Ross Banner, and then went back into therapy with long thought dead Doc Samson. Then both Hulk and Samson went to pay their respects to the late Rick Jones, only to learn that someone had stolen the body. And then... for some reason I let 3 years pass before following up on this amazing series by Al Ewing (Defenders) and Joe Bennett (Checkmate).

I had last read volume 3 in the autumn of 2019. So COVID wasn't just the only reason why I took a break. See, Abomination was the last volume available at the time. I figured I could wait a couple of months and then binge volume 4 and 5 at the same time. And then the pandemic hit, my library closed for almost 2 years and I added several volumes of this series to my 'To Read' list.

Finally, Immortal Hulk came up on my list of things to read and the time was right. After a cursory review of the third volume, I dipped my toe into gamma infested waters and I got swept in the undertow! Not only does the Hulk learn about the whereabouts of Rick Jones body, the Big Green Machine learns the secret of gamma radiation! But the revelation that blew me away was the return of a long forgotten part of Bruce Banner's psyche! 

I really screwed up with my last trip to the library. I only checked out 1 unread volume of Immortal Hulk! Hopefully, I can make a trip without excessive delay in order to get my hands on 5, 6, and maybe more. 

What I didn't screw up on was reading this book. It was violent and bloody and crude and I loved it. I'm not a big fan of how Hell and its denizens are key players in this series. But it's not done gratuitously like some of those 1970s Doctor Strange stories that how goten under my skin recently, so I'm dealing. There's a lot of Dante's Inferno mixed into this story as this is also a very psychological narrative about the Hulk.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Thor: Love and Thunder

Thanks to COVID and my being of high risk, I haven't been to the movies in a very long time. Spider-Man: No Way Home was the last thing I've seen in theaters. Despite a love of Jack Kirby, Eternals just didn't motivate me enough to go amongst the crowds for over 3 hours. And while I really wanted to see the latest Doctor Strange movie, I just didn't. Thus, when my god son asked me to go see Thor: Love and Thunder, I had many questions.

For one, will my not having seen Eternals or Multiverse of Madness, along with still not having succumbed to joining Disney+, impact how to follow the plot. The answer to that question is that it will not. Second, it's been years since I have seen the first 3 Thor films, am I going to be lost? The answer is no, not really. That's because filmmaker Taika Waititi does a very good job keeping the viewers up to date with most of what has occurred in the 11 years Thor has graced the silver screen. But that might just about be all Waititi does perfectly in Thor: Love and Thunder. 

My feelings for the newest Marvel Cinematic Universe movie are all over the place. There were a lot of things I liked and quite a few things I thought were moronic. If Thor: Ragnarok was introducing the corn factor to the god of thunder, then Love and Thunder topped that corn with plenty of cheese. 

How about I list off what I liked so that way I can explain my dislikes:

• The reason Mjolnir chooses Jane Foster to become the new Thor. It was a whole lot more believable and acceptable than jerk-wad and former Marvel EIC Axel Alonso's need to make Thor a woman for the sake of pissing off fans. Plus, I have enjoyed that this film moves the needle in a lot of areas not really explored by Disney/Marvel without being preachy.
• Speaking of Axel. I loved the addition of Kieron L. Dyer (Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Story) as the late Heimdall's son Axel. In fact, I want Marvel to either make a series about him or add him to the comics. Or both! He was such a scene stealer.
• Speaking of scene stealers, Christian Bale was fantastic as Gorr the God Butcher. He was the perfect mix of betrayed acolyte and bat-crap crazy killer. I really think Bale channeled former The Dark Knight cast mate, Heath Ledger's Joker to play the role of Gorr.
• Speaking of Gorr, I liked how this movie was a family affair. Not only did Chris Hemsworth's daughter India play Gorr's daughter; but his twin sons Tristan and Sasha represent Thor as a child during flashback scenes. Plus, brother Luke is back portraying Thor in those ridiculous theatre scenes along with Matt Damon and some other popular actors whom might surprise you!
• Finally, I loved the Easter eggs in this movie. And I loved how interconnected things were. The Guardians of the Galaxy return. Though if you are wondering where Gamora is, you probably have to wait for GOTG Vol. 3 to get your answer. Several key players from past Thor movies make cameos and there are a bunch of deities from 60 some odd years of Marvel comics history that appear. Sadly, if there was a Stan Lee image hiding somewhere in this movie, I missed it. 

Okay. I've covered the hits. Let's look at the misses.

• The film's soundtrack, which is heavy on Guns n' Roses songs, was inconsistent with the tone of the film. There's a scene that uses the instrumental ending to November Rain and while as powerful as that tune is, some of the characters used were ridiculous and it took away from the serious of that penultimate scene. 
• Now on the plus side, Dio's Rainbow in the Dark was used in the closing credits. Perfect as the rainbow bridge known as Bifrost is a main plot point in the movie. But, I don't understand how if you use all GNR songs for the movie that you don't stay consistnet and close with such a song in the end credits...
• Speaking of the credits, there was a huge missed opportunity. The actors names were blasted on the screen using fonts of popular heavy metal bands from the 80s. But to not use the AC/DC logo with the lightning bolt to represent Russell Crowe who plays the Greek god Zeus was down right criminal!
• Speaking of Russell Crowe. I felt that his over the top Greek stereotype portrayal of Zeus was absurd. I had heard that Waititi had Crowe do every scene in both a refined British accent and as buffoonish Greek speak before deciding which dialect to use. Should have gone British. Again- the goofiness sprinkled throughout the film diminishes the serious overtones.

The film ends with a promise that Thor will return (along with 2 extra end credit scenes.) I have seen reports that the pledge of more  Asgardian hi-jinx was something of a surprise to both the director and Chris Helmsworth. Even though I thought that the silliness of this film was amped up to 11 at times, I would very much want to see Thor 5, if not for the promising ending. An ending of which I would very much like to see explored in the comics. Take note Marvel. I'm willing to buy new issues of Thor off the shelf, monthly, if you created a Love and Thunder comic book! 

Finally, I have to talk about the two real stars of this film. The goats Toothgrinder and Toothgnasher. As a recnt adoptive parent of a pair of goats, I enjoyed the presence of these two CGI wonders. Thankfully, my goats don't scream. With Toothgrinder and Toothgnasher added to the MCU, I think it's time for a Holiday special with Thor and Company. Odin's riding of a sleigh driven by goats is an inspiration for Santa's reindeer transport. And since Odin is dead in the MCU (not a spoiler, BTW), I think having Thor take over would be a hoot. I might even subscribe to Disney+ just to experience it.

This wasn't the best MCU offering I've ever seen. But it sure wasn't Thor: The Dark World! Thank God!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #129

Once more, there's no end in sight for any of the 3 multi-part stories. But if the Wolverine story keeps being as hilarious as it has been (unintentional I'm sure) it can keep on.

But it's really time for the Ghost Rider/Typhoid Mary and the Iron Fist tales to conclude.

In the crimes against comics department, the Crossbones adventure should have been a two-parter or maybe even a three issue involvement. It was that good. Wolfpack's John Figeroa has the criminal pulling Suicide Squad duty. As part of his rehabilitation and to earn time off his sentence, Crossbones must infiltrate a hospital that has been take over by terrorists and free the hostages. 

The crux of this story was that there were many opportunities for Crossbones to escape. But he just won't do it. Not because he's reformed or anything. It's just not the right time to make a break for it. 

Okay, so we've got 2 stories in one issue dealing with domestic terrorism. This issue was published sometime around the summer of 1993. That makes the US about 2 years away from the Oklahoma City bombing. Oh, wait, the first attack on the World Trade Center was earlier this year. That explains why Marvel seems to be really focused on the threat of terror in their stories right now. 

Having realized all that, the past 6 or so issues of MCP have been time capsules of societal fears. Had Marvel had just stuck with the Ghost Rider story which involves a terror group taking over a shopping mall, I might not have made any historical connections. But with 2 stories (in  1 issue) about terror, I saw an unusual pattern and now I understand why. 

That being said, I'm only half satisfied with this issue as 2 stories are just getting stale and frankly a bit boring.

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #128

Neither of the 3 multi-part stories are coming close to being over. If it wasn't for the all-star cast of the Wolverine story, I would be completely bored with these continuing segments.

With Logan's story, this chapter was rather comical. You know how in a Scooby-Doo cartoon, when the monster steals some kind of priceless artifact and there's a musical montage? It's like how the Mystery Inc. gang and the baddie go back-and-forth stealing the object from each other. Frist, you'd see Shaggy running with the treasure. Then the monster trips Shaggy, making off with the bauble until Fred pulls the rug out from under them and now Fred's off and running. Well, the 8 pages devoted to Logan's attempt to protect Lynx from bounty hunters, evil scientists and SHIELD is just like those types of Scooby-Doo scenes. 

The Iron Fist segment seems to be doing everything opposite anybody with a lick of sense would do. It's rather infuriating. 

As with Ghost Rider and Typhoid Mary, I don't get the sense that writer Ann Nocenti really knows what direction she wants this story to go in. There's literally 4 different plots going on right now. We had 5, but Nocenti did manage to kill off the characters involved a chapter or two back. But right now, we've got Ghost Rider trying to kill Typhoid Mary. We've got Typhoid trying to kill anyone that wronged her. We've got a group of women from a battered women's home trying to take on the terrorists who invaded the mall. And we've got this strange family of a priest, his wife and their child just wandering around the place. I have no idea where the Longshot writer is trying to go with this story and I don't think Ann Nocenti does either.

As for our single issue 8-page story, it involves the Native American superhero American Eagle. Normally, American Eagle operates in the American West. But a favor to an old friend has the hero traveling to the Big Apple. It appears that the son of the friend has left the reservation and gone to New York City to make his name. Unfortunately, the young man has run along with the wrong crowd and with a NYPD officer dead, American Eagle must get to the lad before an angry and vengeful police force gets to him first!

The Wolverine segment was hilarious. The American Eagle story was powerful. Compare that to the ludicrous Iron Fist chapter and the labyrinthine plots of the Ghost Rider and Typhoid Mary tale and you at least have a halfway decent issue of MCP.

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.

The Quantum Age

After having explored the origins of Black Hammer (with Black Hammer '45), I then continued on to discover its future.

The events of The Quantum Age take place about 100 years after the disappearances of Abraham Slam, Black Hammer, Barbalien and the rest of the occupants of Black Hammer Farm. 

Now don't be duped by the back cover or what some other collected volumes of Black Hammer related books say. The events in this storyline do not occur 1000 years into the future. It's a typo. I think someone just added an extra 0 and proofread just didn't catch the mistake during the editing phase.

Black Hammer '45 was a tribute to war comics. The Cthu-louise one-shot and Madame Dragonfly FCBD entry were tributes to horror and suspense comics that were noted for their twist endings. And The Quantum Age is Jeff Lemire's love letter to DC's Legion of Super-Heroes and Marvel's mutant titles. 

While I was intrigued by the artwork of Black Hammer '45, I was a bigger fan of Wilfredo Torres's (Marvel Legacy Legion) work in this book. Maybe because it was less impressionistic than Matt Kindt's (Mind MGMT) stuff. Or maybe I'm less of a fan of water colors than I am with more traditional comic book coloring methods. 

There's a bunch of surprises and twists to this book. I had mentioned in a previous review of a Black Hammer collection that there were a couple of characters who I felt that their story wasn't over. Well, I was right. I will not spoil it here. But if you go digging through my other reviews, you'll learn just who those characters were. Well, two of them. Jeff Lemire managed to surprise me with a third reveal that I wasn't expecting.

And there was one character that I fell in love with and I had to read ahead to make sure they survived. I am glad to say that I got my wish. And if I hadn't, man was I going to be pissed!

I actually didn't want this story to end. Or maybe I should say, hopefully, there will be more coming. According to articles I've read, Jeff Lemire plans to close the door on Black Hammer in 2023. So maybe in these next 18 months, I'll get my wish and get to revisit The Quantum Age one more time.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Black Hammer '45

Jeff Lemire reveals the waning days of World War II in this Black Hammer spin-off. The Black Hammer Squadron have been given their final assignment. With the Nazis on the brink and the Soviets tearing through Germany, this team of colored American soldiers must rescue a Jewish family of physicists before the Reds do. Seems that their inter-dimensional theories will give whomever obtains the secrets of these Jewish scientists a major advantage in the exploration of space.  

With Mind MGMT's Matt Kindt's artwork, Jeff Lemire offers fans a look at the early days of Abraham Slam as well as some of the origins of the NASA program that will send Col. Randall Weird on the space adventure of a lifetime. And since this is a part of the world of Black Hammer, expect things to be a little more on the side of the fantastical with more advanced technology.

This was a powerful read. And it was another great chapter to the world of Black Hammer. And it was a marvelous tribute to the war comics of the 50s and 60s. But there was something off about the artwork.

The use of an non-white team was pretty brilliant. Originally, Lemire and Kindt didn't plan on this. Thus, a couple of the characters actually look Caucasian. Due to deadlines, only a few changes were ables to be made. Fate allowed the pages to be recolored. However, art touch ups just weren't in the cards. 

But having a team of heroes who are willing to do anything for their country and get little to no thanks for their efforts is so powerful. There's a little bit of the Tuskegee airmen in this story and just a touch of Robert Morales and Kyle Baker's Truth: Red, White and Black. And to have Black Hammer, who was a black man, take his name from a group of commandos of color adds legacy and honor to the whole name of the series and the fallen hero.

While the artwork might have suffered from the tight deadlines, the coloring of this story actually benefited from the retouches. The water-colored effect of this book also aids texture to the page along with giving a slight sepia tone to the story. It's a lot like looking at a series of old photographs. Or maybe it's meant to look like a 1940s era comic book with how the acid in the paper browns out everything. Either way, it helped make Black Hammer '45 a Dark Horse triumph.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Cardboardia: The Other Side of the Box (Family Comic Friday)

Cardboardia is a new graphic novel series for middle schoolers that shows a lot of promise. It follows 6 year old Pokey, her older brother and his two best friends as they travel through a discarded cardboard box into a magical realm made entirely of paper!

This first volume was really interesting to me because the creative team pulled a page from acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa's playbook. Just like in Kurosawa's Rashimon, the first 4 chapters of this book are told from the perspectives of the 4 students. While you think you understand everything that is going on from Pokey's perspective, it all changes when you experience the story from the other's POV. And for a middle school graphic novel, I thought that was really creative!

The multiple perspective plotting also helps this story stay fresh. The first volume isn't even 110 pages long and to tell this story from only one viewpoint would really dull the mystery that is buried deep inside the meaning of the story's title of CARDBOARDIA. There's a really popular children's book and movie franchise that I believe writer Richard Fairgray (Blastosaurus) and first time graphic novel illustrator Lucy Campagnolo take inspiration from. But I don't want to mention it as I think it was give away the big twist ending. 

I will say, while I liked the twist, (actually, I think there's 2 big twists) I was disappointed in the ending. That's because it ended with a "To Be Continued.' Established readers of my blog will know that I hate those kinds of endings, especially for kids. Back when I was a child who lived in a more rural area, it wasn't easy to go to a comic book store every month to get the next installment of a book. At least now with Amazon and Kindle, it's a little more accessible for kids to get the next chapter. Unfortunately, when it comes to Cardboardia Book 2, you'll have to wait until October to find out what happens next. 

Still, that's plenty of time to get your hands on this debut segment. And read it again and again and again. 'The Other Side of the Box' was imaginative, quirky, and a tad mysterious. Even though it's a book aimed at middle school readers, those in grades 4 and 5 should really enjoy this adventure book as well! 

Parents and guardians should enjoy it too as there's really nothing overly objectionable in this book. There's no fighting or violence. Just your normal squabbles between siblings. Pokey seems to have a warped sense of what her older friends talk about in their spare time. But it's more for laughs than the author attempting to be crude. 

Now, there is a creepy looking queen who might be a bit too scary for younger readers. Thankfully, she's not in the book for long. But her minions, who do have more presence in the story, are more comical than intimidating. 

Perhaps the biggest issue is the lack of respect the students seem to have for their teachers and principal. Though, again as those segments are told from the students' perspective, that insolence might be due to perceived hatred that all pupils feel from their instructors from time to time. But those parts of the story could be great talking points in order to help get kids back into the right mindset for the coming school year! 

An enjoyable read that takes inspiration from a wide variety of classic mediums that should thrill the entire family. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.