Marvel Comics Presents #171

There are only 5 issues left of Marvel Comics Presents. But I don't really feel like the creators are pulling out all the stops just yet. But that doesn't mean that this wasn't a thrilling issue.

Michael Badilino is undergoing a therapy session with Doc Samson. This happens to take place at a top level facility for mentally ill patients with super powers. A blackout results in one very troubled patient getting free and going rogue. Enlisting the help of Vengeance, Doc Samson has to make one very important house call.

In a one-shot story, one of my all-time favorite characters returns. That's right! It's Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD. In this adventure, he's in Alaska where there are reports of a Hydra base that's doing their very best- and worst- to create their version of a super solider!

The second half of this issue is rather interesting. It's comprised of 2 single issue stories that tell of 1 event but from two points of view. The first POV is that of War Machine. The second is of the Force Works team. Both parties are in Hong Kong fighting the Mandarin and his minions. Rhodey is more directly involved with the villain while Force Works are in the air in their armored transport vehicle, the Hex-Ship Pegasus. The ship has been damaged and it's going down fast and in flames!

I liked the idea of having 1 battle told from 2 points of view. I would have rather liked to have seen the Mandarin's take on this battle instead of Force Works. Plus, I am irked because that segment ends with readers having to grab the next issue of Force Works in order to find out what happened to the Pegasus crew.

Having Badilino going to therapy and having Vengeance have to help Doc Samson was pretty cool. I had a feeling this was going to happen last issue. So, I wasn't quite surprised. But really, was anybody shocked when the Ghost Rider popped up to help save the day?

Lastly, I loved the Nick Fury story. But once again, he's squandered to just 8 pages. Why can SHIELD have a lengthy multi-parter in the pages of MCP? How can anybody hate Nick Fury? This sort of perceived slight is going to affect my rating...

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

John Carpenter Presents Storm Kids: The Yard Gang Halloween Special (Family Comic Friday)

After a week off due to a very long and busy period at work, Family Comic Friday is back. We kick off Halloween a little bit early with a release that I never in a million years would have expected to review for young readers and their families. Legendary horror director John Carpenter and acclaimed horror comics writer Steve Niles working together on a comic book for kids? C'mon, is this a dream?

Storm Kids is the all ages imprint to John Carpenter (the Halloween film franchise) and wife Sandy King's comic book publisher Storm King. The idea is to open young readers up to age appropriate horror and thriller stories illustrated and written by some of the top talent in the comic book industry. 

30 Days of Night's Steve Niles and wife Monica Richards work together to bring families this adorable story of a family of house pets as they prepare for All Hallow's Eve. 

Lucy the kitten is the biggest fan of Halloween. This year's festivities take place during a full moon. But instead of bad luck, the full moon provides Lucy the chance to make one wish come true before the clock strikes Midnight. Will the precocious feline wish for it to be Halloween every night? Or maybe more wishes? One thing is for sure: whatever Lucy decides, it will change her eclectic family furever!

I absolutely loved this Halloween special. I thought that the way all of the animals spoke was perfect. I always make my fur babies talk and they don't quite get all the concepts right. And that's sometimes how Lucy and her siblings talk. I also loved the expressions of the animals. Artist Kelly Williams (Metaphase) creates some really adorable looking characters. 

Though I did think that the sizes of some of the characters were a bit off. For instance, Lucy and her brother Yob are able to ride on the back of their hound dog brother, Oliver. Now my Harley is tiny. But I don't think there's any way in the world she'd be able to ride atop the back of a full grown canine.

The Yard Gang was a great way to kick off my 2022 Halloween reads. It was adorable, a pinch bittersweet (which I'll not spoil why) and above all- magical. I really hope that co-creators John Carpenter and Sandy King along with co-writers Steve Niles and Monica Richards have more adventures of these cute little guys in store for years to come!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #170

I never really cared about the Iron Man villain known as the Mandarin. I just never found his quest for world dominance all that compelling. But after having read the second chapter of his quasi-origin story in the pages of this comic, I feel like I am a little more sympathetic to the character but not much.

In this story, the Mandarin is fighting psychic manifestations of his past selves. While he takes a deadly trip down memory lane, the villain is reminded of the woman who got away. Her story reminded me a lot of Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala, if that tells you anything. Clearly, I am much more sympathetic towards her...

The Mandarin's story doesn't quite end with his allotment of 8-pages. The Force Works team is back with another one-and-down segment. But once again, the team is more of the second string than featured players. The main character of this segment is a cyber-genius by the name of Suzi Endo and the Mandarin might have a considerable amount of interest in the girl. Remember the ill-requited love who got away from the Mandarin? Well Suzi Endo might be related to that woman and the prospect of such has got the villain thinking some very icky things...

In a new Vengeance multi-parter, the events in Los Angeles with the Revengers has got Michael Badilino thinking that he needs therapy. Enter Doctor Leonard Samson. Expect this couch trip to be anything but normal.

Then in the lone one-shot story, the Native American hero Red Wolf defends the tribal leaders of a Native American owned casino from the Maggio; the Marvel Universe's version of the Mafia. The last appearance of Red Wolf resulted in an unforgivable number of deaths (small, adorable animals). Thankfully, there's no loss of life in this story- 4-legged or otherwise.

A fairly decent issue. Not the best Marvel has to offer. But at least all 4 segments had something to offer me in terms of enjoyment. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #169

There are 3 new segments in this issue. 

First up, fans get the answers to some of their long posed questions about the history of Iron Man's arch-enemy, the Mandarin. As with the back story of any good villain, it's tragic and maybe a little sad. It's enough to elicit a little sympathy above all else.

The other two stories are single-issue 8-pagers. 

The first one stars It, the Living Colossus. I always thought that the character was a golem. But there's a bit more to that. It is a construct of Communist Russia that was imbued with powers after an aborted alien invasion. Somehow after that episode (and probably countless others), the Living Colossus wound up at a Hollywood movie studio and became a sci-fi B-movie star. In this issue, a disgruntled SFX wizard claims to have the newest greatest thing in movies and has his creation challenge It!

The second one-and-done issue has the Force Works team back on duty. The last story was supposed to have the Julia Carpenter Spider-Woman as the feature but the rest of the team had as much a part of the story as she did. Here, Force Works is listed as a featured player on the cover. But again, that's just not quite right. The main feature is a new character called Century. He's an alien construct that claims to be ageless and may know the future. There's a lot of action in this story but it has a ending that requires buying the latest issue of Force Works and those kind of gimmicks irk me to no end!

Rounding things up is the latest Vengeance multi-parter. So I remembered a part of this story wrong. The Revengers aren't in New York. They're in LA and they're causing so much havoc, that War Machine, whose base of operations is in the City of Angels, has taken on the gang himself. Badilino has traveled to Cali in hopes that Vengeance can reel his gang of devotees in. But in true Marvel fashion, War Machine thinks that the Ghost Rider is their leader and a battle of titans ensues.

I would probably rate this issue higher if not for the staff behind the Force Works story requiring readers to get the rest of the story in another book. MCP kinda did this with the 4-issue Midnight Sons epic crossover. But I understood that premise from the start. Here, I was unceremoniously told of needing to buy whatever corresponding issue of Force Works for the rest of the story. I just hate such surprises! It's one of the few things about comic books that I absolutely loathe!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars. 

Saved by the Belle Reve #1

Finally! After several over-sized duds, DC puts out a themed special that focuses on FUN- mostly! The past couple of years, the majority of DC's seasonal specials had shorts that were more political than enjoyable. There's nothing wrong with comic books being educational or topical. But if they're not entertaining then it's more like reading a text book than a comic. 

With it being the start of a new school year, I took a chance on plopping down a ten-spot on this. I know it's not a holiday comic. But it's close enough for me.

There are 8 short stories in this special. Let's take a brief look at them all:

• The Suicide Squad are tasked with protecting the son of a generalissimo who is friendly to American interests. To do this, the Squad must pose as teachers. But as hordes of demon soldiers keep attacking the school on a daily basis, Task Force X must get creative. That means Killer Shark is now teaching English and Weasel is the new lunch lady!
• In a story from the past, Oliver Queen learns an important lesson in parenthood. While Speedy's grades aren't up to snuff, Ollie becomes a tyrant. Now things with Roy Harper are worse than ever before and the Emerald Archer must learn a balance between being an inspiration to an eager sidekick and a caring guardian to a lonely young boy.
• In a surprise return, the students of Gotham Academy return! School is about to return to session but some of the students will not. With Olive Silverlock still missing from something that happened at the end of Sophomore year, Maps is putting her classmates things away in storage. However, when it's discovered that Olive's journal is also missing, Maps and her classmates will go on one last mission to find it.
• Also returning in this issue- the Tiny Titans! Thanks to Art Baltazar and Franco, the pint-sized heroes take a literal wrong turn at Albuquerque and pop up in Belle Reve prison!
• Jonathan Kent and Damian Wayne, the Super Sons, join forces to help the new kid in school deal with a pair of bullies- in their own super ways.
• Barbara Gordon and Dick Grayson run afoul of Mister Freeze on the way to their Senior Prom. 
• John Paul Valley is led by his Azrael personality to the very school that trained him to become a trained killer for God. While at the abandoned institution, Valley's memories of the Brotherhood of the Order of St. Dumas come to the surface. 
• Finally, get it straight from the source, Jefferson Pierce, as to just why did Black Lightning decided to become a part of President Lex Luthor's cabinet. The answer itself probably won't surprise you. But it's nice to finally get a concrete answer to one of DC's most enduring mysteries of the past 2 decades.

The Suicide Squad story was the best. It was 100% insane! And I loved it. With the inclusion of Weasel and Peacemaker, you can tell that 2021's The Suicide Squad movie and director James Gunn was a direct influence on this story. Tim Seeley was the writer and the artist was Scott Kolins. I did a quick search online and it doesn't seem that this team is the crew behind the current Suicide Squad title. But if DC was to do a run with the two of them at the helm, I'd subscribe to it at my LCS! (BTW- Seeley and Kolins were behind a King Shark mini so I'll be adding that to my wish list!)

I loved having the Tiny Titans back. I miss their hi-jinks and you can't go wrong with Baltazar and Franco! The classic style Green Arrow story and the return to Gotham Academy were also really good reads. I liked the Azrael story. But the level of abuse that poor kid had to endure and how those supposed 'men of God' turn young Valley into a ruthless killer is just really disturbing. 

I had a little bit of trouble with the Barbara Gordon/Dick Grayson story. For one thing, Dick is in high school. Yet, in this story, he's also Nightwing. And Barbara is Batgirl. Now, I think I remember somewhere that they retconned that part for Barbara. But wasn't that part of the New 52? Plus, the end was so ambiguous and I hate ambiguous endings!

The remaining two stories were the least entertaining but at least one of them was inspiring. I had long been wondering why did Jefferson Pierce decide to accept Lex Luthor's appointment to the Secretary of Education. I had also wondered why in the pages of Superman/Batman that Black Lightning went toe-to-toe with the World's Finest when clearly Lex Luthor was going insane with power. Well, I got my first question answered with this special. Having lived through January 6th, I still don't have my answer to that last one.

And then there's the Super Sons story. It starts off as a fun little read in which 2 secretly powered pre-teens help a bullied new classmate to tap into his own special powers. But that last panel got really preachy and I don't think it was necessary to the story. Peter J. Tomasi's (Nightwing) story had written an amazing story about acceptance. But for one brief moment, DC decided it hadn't done enough to anger some fans. The panel didn't anger me. But it did ruin what was an otherwise fine 'Afterschool Special' type story.

I had a Lit professor who talked about some theory. I don't remember the name of the philosophy. But I do remember that he talked about how there are moments in works where things go in a different direction than what has been built up in the mind of the consumer and it ruins the enjoyability of the work. I had just finished up the Suicide Squad story before going on next to the Super Sons tale. With the Suicide Squad being completely off-the-wall, I was expecting the rest of this special to be just as wacky. The Super Sons story started off kinda silly with Damian taking a Sikorsky to his first day of school. So I wasn't expecting things to take such a dramatic turn. But I think if it wasn't for the ending of the Super Sons story, I probably wouldn't have been on guard for that tragic Azrael story.

Oh! I loved the title of this special! What a great throwback pun to a 1990s classic kids show!

Please DC, PLEASE! Put Seeley and Brendan Kolins behind the helm of the Suicide Squad! And bring Tiny Titans back!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #168

The Revengers: a cult-like gang that dresses as the spirit of vengeance, Vengeance. They've spread throughout the Big Apple like a virus, issuing their own warped sense of justice not just on criminals but their victims as well.

These guys kinda remind me of those vigilante followers of Batman in 2008's The Dark Knight. I wonder if this Vengeance story was in some way an inspiration for those guys to director Christopher Nolan. Regardless if that was the case or not, I'm liking the Revengers inclusion in this Vengeance heavy story that also stars War Machine!

The Julia Carpenter Spider-Woman story comes to a close in this issue and I'm very glad. The plot of a deranged paramour threatening to shoot up the school in which Julia's daughter attends should Spider-Woman reject him is just something that hits way too close to home. Just to clarify, the part about a school shooting is what triggers me. Not the part about having a stalker.

There are 2 one-shot stories that complete this issue's line-up. The Inhuman Blackbolt must choose between the safety of his people or whether to take the life of a group of humans that threaten to disrupt the relative anonymity of the Great Refuge. 

The other 8-pager stars the Asgardian Valkyrie, Brunnhilde. For some reason, Valkyrie has gone the Dr. Bruce Banner route and is wandering around the world. Well it's a good thing she is as the Asgardian warrior stumbles upon a Chinese village being held captive by a despot wielding a set of mystic gems that control the very elements of the earth!

I really didn't feel much of a connection to the 2 short stories. The Inhumans tale was wonderfully illustrated by Jeff Moore (Avengers). But it seemed like a plot that could have been solved much more differently and with much less stress. I honestly don't remember anything about Valkyrie's story. I had to look it up just to do this review. 

The Vengeance story is great. I feel like War Machine's presence is really uncalled for. But the love triangle and terse working environment between Badilino, Sam Buchanan and Rebecca Taylor is worth the price I paid for this issue. 

And yes, I am thankful that the Spider-Woman story came to an end. However, I feel like Marvel should have framed this more as a Force Works story than a Spider-Woman story. It's like the opposite of the New Warriors story that only starred one member of the team. What the heck was going on with the editing team during this stage of MCP's run?

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #167

After spending the past few issues trying to kill each other, Michael Badilino and Sam Buchanan find themselves both on the NYPD's paranormal task. Add to the fact that both Badilino and Buchanan have the hots for teammate Rebecca Taylor, you know that things are going to run smoothly for the two. 

In the first chapter of the newest Ghost Rider epic, a seedy televangelist is rising public fervor against the demonically powered Vengeance. But on the flip side, a new gang of rowdies that are devoted to the Spirit of Vengeance, called the Revengers, have taken to the streets of the Big Apple. Dressed as the Ghost Rider, these guys enact their own form of vengeance against those who wronged others.

The Man-Thing story comes to an end. After several very good Marvel Horror style chapters, the last chapter got really philosophical. There's a lot of symbolism in this finale and I am sure that a lot of it is the author Simon Jowett's (Black Axe) way of journaling some of his insecurities and fears as a creator of words. At least I understood most of the ending...

The Turbo story also comes to a close. It was only a 2-parter. But it was such an entertaining two-parter that was very wacky. I would've been okay if this story had continued for another couple of chapters. 

Lastly, the Julia Carpenter Spider-Woman is dealing with a stalker who is taking her rejections out on the populace through a series of sniper attacks. Now Carpenter's daughter (and subsequent school) have been named as the next planned assault and Spider-Woman and her Force Works allies must race to find the killer and save her child!

Every story was engrossing enough to have something that I enjoyed. After a very rocky start, I keep finding the character of Vengeance and especially alter-ego Michael Badilino to just keep getting better and better. The Man-Thing story had that gothic antebellum edge that makes me a fan of the character. I'm just not real big on symbolism. The New Warrior Turbo romp could have extended for several more issues. But man, what a fun ride. As for the Spider-Woman story. It's a great psychological thriller. However, being a teacher, I'm finding that the subject matter of mass shootings and potential school violence hitting a little too close to home.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #166

4 very thrilling chapters comprise this issue. 

First up, Ted Sallis is getting the chance to live the life he would have lived had he not been tragically transformed into the Man-Thing. Meanwhile, the Man-Thing, now completely devoid of any humanity, wanders aimlessly through a creepy Southern mansion, killing indiscriminately. 

The tag-team duo of Mike Jeffries and Mickey Musashi, who together make up one member of the New Warriors, Turbo, are back. This time, it's Mike's turn to wear the Torpedo costume. A band of alien warriors have come to earth to claim the costume. Too bad it's Mickey who's the brawn of the outfit and nowhere near this super-powered outfit...

In another opening segment, the Julia Carpenter Spider-Woman is the main star. On a brief respite from Force Works, Carpenter has obtained a stalker who promises to do something drastic if the heroine doesn't promise to become his lover.

Lastly, it's a showdown between Vengeance, Psiphon and Sam Buchanan in the closing segment of this Ghost Rider tale. There's an unexpected shift in allegiances here. One that promises to make Badilino's time on the Paranormal Law Enforcement Team hellish for issues to come. 

The Man-Thing story is extremely meta. It's the sort of thing I'd expect of Grant Morrison or Alan Moore. But this is Marvel and not Vertigo. The Turbo story is hilarious. But it could really use some Slapstick. I thought the Vengeance story was a thrill a minute. Those stories have gotten better now that they seem to focus a little bit more on Vengeance's alter-ego, Michael Badilino. 

As for the Spider-Woman tale, its source material of a deranged admirer willing to turn sniper at a local shopping center is just too realistic for 2022 audiences. In 1994, this was still fairly far-fetched stuff even though Mark David Chapman and John Hinckley Jr. were only 15 years prior. Sadly, nowadays, this sort of stuff seems like a daily occurrence. And as a school teacher, it just hits too close to home.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #165

A lot of stuff is happening in this issue. 

Things get metaphysical with the Man-Thing story when the character arrives at a desolate chateau called The Writer's Mansion. By some sort of magic, Ted Sallis has been separated from his mindless form. Now Sallis lives the life he was meant to enjoy while the Man-Thing entity wanders the corridors of the decrepit home running into characters that might have been created by the mysterious 'Writer'.

Vengeance has got his work cut out for him as both demon hunter Sam Buchanan and the energy-sucking mutant Psiphon work together to bring the latest Ghost Rider down!

In the one-and-done story, Mr. Fantastic is dickering around in the Negative Zone again when the crazed despot Blastaar seeks out revenge on Reed Richards for all the trouble he and the rest of the Fantastic Four has caused over the years. 

The Tigra story comes to an end and it takes a very dark turn. See, the reason all those people were kidnapped is that they were to become the harem of a really, really large sultan from some made up Middle Eastern nation. At least Tigra gets some sweet revenge on the scum bag. 

Another quality issue full of action and excitement.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #164

3 all-new segments either start or appear in this issue. 

The ever-lovin' Blue Eyed Thing, Ben Grimm, gets in an altercation on the streets of the Big Apple. One of the victims is a young boy's rabbit that escapes its cage and flees into the NYC subway system. Leave it to the founding member of the Fantastic Four to begrudgingly track the little fella all the way through many a rat infested tunnel...

Then for the first time since a one-shot appearance in MCP #29 and the first time headlining a multiparter since all the way back in issues 1-12, Man-Thing returns. The first segment isn't really action-packed. It also stars Ted Sallis' former lover Ellen Brandt and is more of a refresher of the Man-Thing's origin story than anything else.

Rounding things out on the debut front is another Vengeance story. This one involves two blasts from Michael Badilino's past. First is the energy-absorbing mutant, Psiphon. Next is the former special forces member and demon hunter/hater, Samson Buchanan who now possesses a more deadlier version of the famed Exorcist gun from some previous MCP story that I can't quite recall. I think it was during the Midnight Sons story line...

The only continuing segment involves the sometime Avenger, Tigra. She's gone on the hunt for some slavers who have captured members of an indigenous Australian tribe that Tigra has taken refuge with. Needless to say, she's pissed.

The Thing's story was sweet and enduring. Another reason to love the members of Marvel's First Family. The Man-Thing story is an origin story. If you kinda know the story, then things are mostly yesterday's news. If anything has been rebooted, I'm not that familiar with the character to have picked through the changes. The Vengeabnce story promises to be another exciting tale that wisely focuses on Badilino's police force career as much as his time as a Ghost Rider. As for the Tigra story, the level of excitement is getting higher as this is the penultimate chapter. But the real winner here again is John Czop's amazing artwork.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #163

Issue #164 appears to be full of promise as 3 segments come to a close in this issue. 

If you recall what I said in my review of the last issue, the Vengeance/Diabolique story has been straddling the line between chilling thriller and occult horror that I just can't stand reading. Well, the finale crossed that line and scared the hell outta me. If you ask me, I don't think that this is the last we've seen of evil little Diabolique. That prospect is going to keep me up at night...

The New Warriors story ends with a pleasing guest cameo from a bizarre and rarely seen member of the FF Family. It was a great story if only for the inclusion of Slapstick, the Living Cartoon. I'm more than willing to give this era's New Warriors regular series a read in hopes it captured just a fraction of the insanity and laughs. 

As for the Mace story, it ended on an uptick. The middle two chapters had been rather cliched what with ninjas and clones and such. But the ending added a depth of mystery missing since the introductory chapter. Still, it wasn't enough to turn my into a fan.

Tigra's story rounds out the quartet. The former Avenger has taken refuge in the Australian Outback and everything seems idyllic. That is until a group of mercenaries arrives at the village that houses Tigra and kidnaps most of the population. Now Tigra is on the hunt for her missing 'kinsmen'.

The plot of the Tigra story doesn't really do anything for me. But that John Czop (New Warriors) artwork is just breathtaking. Pretty risque stuff for 1994 Marvel Comics.

2 great stories come to an end here. A third story at least comes to a thankful end. And the 4th is at least a feast for the eyes. Overall, it's a good read. But I can't wait to see what the next issue brings with 3 all new stories waiting in the wings.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars. 

Marvel Comics Presents #162

The lone segment that is brand new stars the former Avenger, Tigra. Having found a new home in the Australian outback, the bikini-clad hero has become a defacto leader of a tribe of indigenous peoples. She'll hopefully become their savior when a group of guerrillas arrives and enslaves a good chunk of the village population.

The Vengeance story continues to chill me to my very core. The demonic moppet known as Diabolique is pretty uh, well, demonic. We learn that while her green pal Playmate is technically her servant, Diabolique is servant to an ancient Persian evil...

I love the New Warriors story. Slapstick is a great addition to it. The time bending properties of the villain is awesome. The banter is hilarious. Art is excellent. I just love everything about this story.

When it comes to the story about Mace, the cloned ninja assassin, I've gotten bored with it. Just seems like every clone action movie story that floated around in the early 90s. I'll be glad when this one ends.

If Slapstick would have joined the New Warriors around this time period, I'd probably be adding those books to my wish list. While the Living Cartoon does eventually become a New Warrior, it's not until later on and probably not as hilarious as this story starring Slapstick has been.

I like the Vengeance story. It's a horror tale that is a good scare. Demons and that sort of terror isn't really my thing and Diabolique is just barely tolerable. If things get more evil, I probably will find my enjoyment of this story start to 180. Plus, that big baddie reveal; I feel it's taken some inspiration from Stephen King's It...

As for the Tigra story, the narrative is still building. But that artwork by John Czop (New Warriors) is, well, I like to think of myself as a gentleman. Put it this way, if you remember the Marvel Swimsuit Specials of the 90s, then you'll get my drift with how Czop has illustrated the very slinky Tigra. It's very risque stuff for a Comics Code approved work.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Super Powers Mini-Comic Collection, Volume 1 (Family Comic Friday)

I'm not one for buying bootleg material. If there's a legitimate version of something, I will buy that version and not the knock-off. If I have to wait to buy it used or at a steep discount to save money, I'll do it. But if the original owners go out of business or just never cash in on the copyright (I'm looking at you George Lucas with the Star Wars Holiday Special), then if something is fan made, then I have no ethical qualms buying it. That's the case with the book I am reviewing today... 

One of my most beloved memories of my mom is her taking me to K-Mart just to find the new Super Powers action figures. The store only had Robin and Aquaman. But oh what a start! To my absolute delight, both figures came with a 16-page mini comic! A toy AND something to read??? Yes on both!

Years have passed and the quest of finding the 12 minis that came with the original line and the 11 of Series II has been on my to-do list for decades. I've never come across any in person unless I plopped out $50 to $100 on one of the figures mint on card. While online shopping, I've seen the minis for sale just by themselves. But it's not worth a $20-35 dollar per mini comic price tag. Needless to say, DC has never stopped to take the time and collect these in some sort of collection.

About 2 months ago, while on Facebook, the metaverse itself made a suggestion of joining a group of like-minded Super Powers fans. A fan of the art of Jose Luis-Garcia Lopez and Dick Giordano, who did much of the packaging and figure design, I've enjoyed joining this digital time capsule of Kenner/DC. Recently, one intrepid member asked if the minis had ever been collected to which someone responded that they thought there was something 'fan made'. 

Well, the prospect of such a volume peaked my interest and I went to etsy and later eBay to which I found this book. Published by Trident Studios, this pocket-sized collection is a beaut! All of the books come from the publisher's personal collection of minis collected when they were a child. They did an amazing job keeping the books in great shape. Only 1 page looked smudgy. (Doing some quick math. 12 books times 16 pages... roughly 192 pages. I'll take it!)

The likes of Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman take on the dastardly quartet of Lex Luthor, Brainiac, The Penguin and The Joker in a dozen stories. Just who were the authors and illustrators of these minis have become the subject of much debate as DC and Kenner didn't give any sort of credit to the art team behind these comics. The stories are a little clunky as it's hard to tell a full-fledged story on a sheet of paper roughly 2.8" x 4.25". But the art is of that unparalleled 80s era DC style! 

As I mentioned, the mini comics really were minis. However, these books are slightly larger (about 20%) than the original. Thus is due minimum requirements of the printing and binding. Whether this determination was made by Trident Studios or publishing contractor is unclear. I was afraid that the books were going to be massively large thus hurting the visual quality of the originals. But the slight increase does nothing to hurt the eye appeal!

It's always great when the older generation gets chance to share their toys with the next. It's even better when you get to share your books! Up till now it has been darn near impossible and totally expensive to share the Super Powers mini comics from the 80s with the children of the 2000s. But now grandparents, guardians and parents have a chance with this vibrant collection from Trident Studios!

A second volume featuring the Wave II collection of mini comics is also available. Check etsy and eBay for your copies!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #161

Take a look at this image. The female on the cover is a superhero named Turbo. That has got to be the most ridiculous headgear I have seen this side of Hela. And what is up with the laser disc sized braclets? Seems quite unwieldy. 

Now the story in which Turbo stars is one that I am taking great delight in. I like the time travelling slant. I'm totally digging the inclusion of Slapstick. Plus I like the gender-bending twist with Turbo as a pair of college students trade off wearing the costume. One week it's Ms. Mickey Musashi. The next week, it's Mr. Michael Jefferies wearing the suit. As you can tell from the cover, it's Mickey's week to play superhero. 

The latest Vengeance story continues to creep me out. There's the demonic little girl who goes around asking for help finding her missing playmate. Adults take interest, thinking 'why is such a youngster walking around Manhattan all by her lonesome?' In the end, they find Playmate, which happens to be this gruesomely hungry green blob. Through osmosis or some other devilry, the little girl gets stronger and as a result, the Spirit of Vengeance gets more terrified of the evil that is growing. It's kinda like how the Hulk refused to Hulk out after being b-slapped by Thanos in Avengers: Infinity Wars.

The Hawkeye story comes to an end. Pretty lackluster if you ask me. The Mace story begins with a death and dips into a birth with the origin of the cloned ninja master revealed. It too was pretty lackluster as the origin story sounds like so many other 90s cloning tales.

Overall, this wasn't a bad read. Just after 2 very strong segments with the New Warriors/Slapstick and Vengeance, the Hawkeye and Mace chapters were rather cliched. 

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #160

Where to start with this issue?

The cover feature is a cloned ninja assassin who goes by the moniker of Mace. He's the product of a secret society to be it's ultimate killing machine. With DNA from some of the Japanese based Sunrise Society, Mace is nearly unstoppable. But Dr. Ito, Mace's creator, has developed a fatherly bond with the assassin and hopes to help Mace escape the warrior sect he was designed to serve. 

This issue is technically Mace's first appearance. Maybe a week prior, the character debuted in a Symbiote heavy miniseries titled Venom: Mace. Though the 3-parter came out first, this story occurs chronologically first. The premise is interesting but with elements from TMNT, Species, Remo Williams, and countless other 90s action franchises, I feel that the originality factor is servely lacking.

Vengeance returns in another multi-parter that chills me to my core. The antagonist is a scary-ass witch-child called Diabolique. The little blonde haired demon has a special friend named Playmate. Playmate is a real killer. But it's Diabolique who gives not just me, but Michael Badilino nightmares. So much to the point, Vengeance is refusing to come forth to smite this duo of evil.

The Hawkeye segment opens in a way that reminds me of a scene from the first Lord of the Rings film. There's a scene where the dwarf Gimli is terrified of being in the forest realm of elves. At one point, an elf sneaks up on Gimli and tells him that he's so loud that the elf could've killed him in the dark. Well, that's basically how this segment starts when U.S. Agent thinks he's got the advantage on Hawkeye. But the archer is the one in the catbird seat. 

I still don't have a clue as to why Hawkeye is playing the fugitive here. But I love this cloak and dagger type story. It's clever and kinda mysterious.

Our last segment continues with the New Warriors and their very special guest star, Slapstick. The young heroes are visiting the American Museum of Natural History when a time-traveling villain named Dr. Yesterday runs amok. History is literally repeating itself as the exhibits come alive. But unlike A Night at the Museum, when these exhibits become animated, it's because Dr. Yesterday has figured out a way for the past to come alive; not because a wax dummy of Teddy Roosevelt came to life. It's a tool many a history teacher probably wishes they could utilize and with the inclusion of the Living Cartoon, Slapstick, this has been a fantastic story thus far.

Scary. Thrilling. Funny. And maybe a bit cliched. But this was another solid issue of MCP.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #159

As the Vengeance story comes to a close, 3 new segments appear in this book. Two are the beginning of multi-parters. One is a one-and-done short story.

The Vengeance story is on fire- literally! As great as the female Spirit of Vengeance known as Phantome is; this 4-parter is her only appearances in the MCU. Why hasn't she returned? This is a matter CB Cebluski needs to fix right away! Bring Phantome back and I'll start buying new issues of Ghost Rider monthly!

The Hawkeye story is actually more of a U.S. Agent and Force Works story. Hawkeye has gone rogue for some reason. Force Works has the chance to bring him in but they refuse. That is except for U.S. Agent who goes all half-cocked and decides to find the Avenger/Thunderbolt/former circus performer on his own.

The New Warriors story actually has New Warriors in it this time. First of all, I hadn't realized that the Namorita/Kymaera story had ended last issue. Oops. But it appears that having the whole team around makes for a much better story. Plus, Slapstick the living cartoon is involved! This looks to be a fun one!

The single issue story stars one of my personal favs- Nick Fury. Again, I don't understand why Wolverine gets over 100 issues of appearances and Fury only gets an occasional one-shot here and there. But it seems that the head of SHIELD can do about a dozen issues worth of action and adventure in just 8 short pages. Kudos to writer Glenn Greenberg (Star Trek: Untold Voyages) for making me feel like I experienced a blockbuster spy thriller with one of my absolute favorite characters!

An all-around fun issue. Full of action but nothing too preachy or sentimental for once. Plus, NO WOLVERINE!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Detention Comics #1

I'm heading into my third week of the new school year. In celebration or maybe a moment of blessed relief, I dug through my long boxes to give this back to school special a read.

Detention Comics is comprised of 3 stories starring the Tim Drake Robin, the Connor Kent Superboy and Guy Gardner during his stint as Warrior. For a 1996 one-shot, it's not quite your typical DC stuff. All three stories are more morality plays than gritty action adventures that have been dosed with too much testosterone. In fact, in the Superboy story, not a single punch, kick or threat is heaved in the entire thing! But let's start with Robin, since his was the opening story.

A schoolmate of Tim Drake's is being bullied- by his overbearing mother! Constantly cut from team after team, the teen finally snaps and decides to get payback against the family of the high school's head coach.

With Superboy, he's on the beaches of Hawaii trying to impress some coeds when truant officer Mack Harlin arrives to spoil the fun. It appears to be a battle of brains versus brawn. But then all bets are off when Harlin wins over the babes with his recitation of Shakespeare's sonnets.

Lastly, former teacher, Guy Gardner has been called into his former high school stomping grounds to evaluate whether the troubled institute should remain open or be turned into a mini mall. In a remake of The Substitute, which was also from '96, Guy plays the role of Tom Berenger when a trio of metahuman teens seeks revenge on a brilliant student while setting the school ablaze!

Okay, that last story sounds a little like a typical 1990s DC Comics story. But it was so full of cliches and really preachy. It read like some of the Teen Titans stuff from the 1960s and 70s in terms that whomever wrote it (Ruben Diaz, Martian Manhunter: American Secrets) didn't know how to relate to teenagers. Plus, as a teacher myself, I don't appreciate stories that paint schools as dead end hell holes. True, there's a couple of schools in the area that I don't think you could pay me enough money to teach at. But I don't think of them as helpless cases either.

The Robin story was the best of the bunch. It's interesting, and maybe even a little odd, to read a tale from Drake's early days in which he's so unprepared. I've always thought of Tim Drake as the ultimate Robin. Yet, here, he's a floundering duckling without Batman or Alfred to back him up. 

As for the Superboy story... Geez, was he really that corny back then? I'm used to a less assured Connor Kent who seems to feel out of place being a clone and also a half-Luthor clone at that. 

Oh, and having Guy Gardner turned into some sort of mutating alien arsenal. That's pretty odd. I'm glad that plot idea was retconned. Please, somebody tell that was retconned?!

For a themed one-shot, I was entertained. However, the book wasn't written for youths. And if it was, the writers, with the exception of Denny O'Neill (Detective Comics) don't seem able to write for younger audiences. I loved the logo of this one-shot. The homage to the classic Detective Comics logo done as a chalkboard was eye-catching. It obviously did it's job as it was a big part of what enticed me to buy this book.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #158

A brand new group of heroes are introduced in this issue of MCP. Created by Excalibur's Alan Davis, it's a visually appealing group called Clan Destine. But some of the characters are rather ridiculous.  

For example, there's the character of Argent. Right now, she's got giant blades for arms. How does she go to the bathroom? Eat? Get dressed? If the character has arms and hands, it's just not revealed.

The idea is that the Destine family is a group of immortals. Their father is an immortal Scottish noble who mated with imps, genies and other mythical creatures to create a clan of nearly indestructible warriors. It's like if Highlander decided to go the Captain Kirk route and get busy with anything with legs and magical powers...

As for the other 3 segments in this issue...

The only New Warrior to appear in the New Warrior story is still just Kymaera (Namorita). In all honesty, this story could have concluded as just an 8-pager. It's really getting to be a dull mulit-part story that just spins in circles.

Vengeance's encounter with a female Spirit of Vengeance is epic. Right now there's a massive fire in which Badilino is trying to save some of the members of his new meta-human task force. But it's kinda hard to do with this new Ghost Rider in his way!

The Shang-Chi story finally comes to an end. And now I start to recall some elements of it. An old flame from Shang-Chi's days as a member of Mi-6 is involved. The Master of Kung-Fu recalls his turbulent history with father Fu-Manchu. Things don't end happily for Shang-Chi. But at least it's not a tragic ending as with his previous story that occurred in the pages of the very 7 or 8 issues of this anthology series.

An okay offering of characters and stories. But still not the best the MCU has to offer readers either.

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Sky Island: A Trot & Cap'n Bill Adventure (Family Comic Friday)

Trot and Cap'n Bill and Grandpa are back! 

In their first adventure, the trio traveled the briny depths to end a war between sea sirens and sea serpents. This time around, they stick mostly to dry land by exploring a mysterious abandoned amusement park called Sky Island. One of Trot's Sea Siren friends has gone missing. The only clue is a boat patrolling the area bearing the logo of the old park. With help from old allies and a new friend, the search is on!

I really loved this book. I had forgotten that the sirens had presented Cap'n Bill with a special gem that gives him the ability to talk. Bill is such a hilarious character. And writer Amy Chu (Poison Ivy: Circle of Life and Death) does such a fantastic job writing him. I can very much see my household of cats doing some of the silly things he does, like get distracted by a small critter when they should be performing a major task.

I've got to make a confession. I skipped to the end of the book to make sure Bill survived. I just hate it when sweet little anthropomorphic animals get hurt or killed in a comic or graphic novel. It just rips my heart in two; probably because it reminds me of my guys. But I didn't spoil the ending!

Trot and Cap'n Bill is a modern remake of a pair of little known L. Frank Baum novels. Only in those books, Bill was an old sailor with a peg leg instead of a cat. Trot is still a brilliant little girl. But in the remake, both Trot and her grandfather are Vietnamese refugees living in coastal California. 

As much as I have loved both books, I fear that I might not be a third book. While Trot and Cap'n Bill appeared in about half a dozen books, most of them are part of the Oz series. I'm not sure if those Baum books are under public domain or the licensed property of MGM or some other company. But if they are, is this the end of Trot and Cap'n Bill adventures? I really, REALLY hope not.

Sky Island was an adventuresome read that made me laugh several times. The artwork is brilliant and lively. Those sea serpents are so cute. Janet K. Lee's (Diary of a Mad Scientist Garden Gnome) art almost makes me a fan of snakes. ALMOST...

Another aspect that is rather enjoyable is how real things are. I'm not talking about the mermaids or sea serpents. I'm talking about how frank and honest Amy Chu is about Grandpa's dementia or the hardships Trot's new friend encountered when she lost her father's property after he passed. Amy Chu is a realist but she's not a fatalist. I think kids need to know that while life is hard and not fair; it's also good and full of hope. And Amy Chu delivers this message perfectly!

A must for fans of cats, the ocean and L. Frank Baum! Here's to a 3rd book in the very near future!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #157

First up is Nick Fury. He's one of my favorite comic book characters of all time. But I don't list him as a superhero. Is he a superhero? Do I need to rethink this? Anyways, Fury takes on Hydra in a one-and-done story set in Greece. Action packed. But can anybody tell me why Wolverine gets featured in over 100 issues but when it comes to the ultimate agent of SHIELD, they editors at Marvel can barely give him the time of day???

With Vengeance, things just keep getting better and better. There's a new Spirit of Vengeance; a woman named Phantome. And man is she nuts! 

I still can't recall anything about that Master of Kung-Fu story. It doesn't help that the Marvel Wiki has only a photo of the main villain for his page. Since the character known as Lazarus: The Midnight Slasher only appears in this multi-parter, I guess they're not worthy of a record history.

Lastly, the New Warriors story continues to be devoid of New Warriors. Only Kymaera, the Atlantean formerly known as Namorita, appears in this story. It's not a bad story. Just the false advertising on the cover irks me to no end. 

A better offering than that of last issue. I mostly don't like the editing choices made in this issue and I still can't recall what happened in one of the segments. 

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #156

I got my wish. Michael Badilino and Rebecca Taylor are kinda a thing now. Plus, Badilino has now become part of a supernatural meta-human task force on the NYPD, along with Taylor. Rebecca is pretty sure that Badilino is the Spirit of Vengeance known as Vengeance. But on this first assignment, she's still not quite sure. I hope that writer Chris Cooper (Incredible Hulk) just does away with it all and lets Rebecca Taylor in on the secret identity.

I also got my answer. Last issue, I wondered if the rest of the New Warriors were going to show up in the further chapters of the Kymaera-centric tale. Well, they don't. So I hated that it's listed that the New Warriors appear in this issue. 

The story itself is a bit of a mess with a mad-scientist hoping to take genes from Kymaera and become the new Eve to a race of aquatic supermen.

Shang-Chi, the Master of Kung-Fu, returns in this issue for a 3-parter. He's taking on a bloodthirsty killer called the Midnight Slasher and it's a rather forgettable episode.

Lastly, for our one-shot story, the World War II super solider variant known as Destroyer is the star. Again, I just don't remember much about this segment except for the bombshell cameo made by the Invader member Spitfire. 

As I've mentioned several times before, I've read these issues several months ago and I am slowly catching up on my reviews. I'm sorry folks. But I just barely remember anything about half of these segments. I guess that just doesn't make for such a great issue if you ask me...

Not Worth Consuming!

Rating: 3 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #155

The stories starring Wolverine, War Machine and Vengeance come to an end in this issue. 

The War Machine story gets interesting as we learn just who is behind the stolen Stark tech that has wound up in the hands of several gangs of L.A.. 

Wolverine's story, which had been a laugh riot, ends on a more serious note. A little bit of a disappointment. But the previous 3 chapters were just great.

Vengeance's story ends just about how I expected it to. That's not a bad thing. Hopefully, we've not seen the end of fellow NYPD cop Rebecca Taylor. She's the yin to Michael Badilino's yang.

Our lone new segment is supposed to star the New Warriors. However, only one actually appears in the story: Namorita. Recently, the Atlantean had undergone a mutation that makes her look more like an aquatic creature than a human. Now going by the moniker Kymaera, she awakens in an oversized aquarium; the lab subject of a deranged geneticist who calls herself Mother Matrix. The scientist's plan: utilize Kymaera's genes to become the mother of a new race of super humans. 

The 3 tales that ended were all satisfactory. Though I do wish that the Wolverine adventure would have ended with those slapstick hi-jinks that had filled the first 3 chapters. 

With the New Warriors thing, I don't know what to think. If this is supposed to star the New Warriors like the cover promises, where are all the other New Warriors? Why wasn't Namorita or Kymaera listed instead? Maybe her teammates will pop up in the next issue like when each member of Excalibur were featured players in their own chapter from issues #31-38. 

We shall see next issue. So I will withhold full judgement on that story for now.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars

Marvel Comics Presents #154

The Moon Knight story comes to a close in this issue. It was action-packed and had a really good mystery. However, I also felt that there was a huge plot hole. Supposedly, the head of a hate group is on trial for various crimes. In order to ensure that he gets a 'Not Guilty' verdict, his underlings have kidnapped the family of one of the jurors. But when Moon Knight goes to rescue the family, why is the gang leader at their domicile holding them hostage? Is he out on bail? Are there 2 gang leaders but only 1 is on trial? Just seems to me that part wasn't so very clear.

The Wolverine story is a lot like the beserker story from MCP #62-63; which is a direct sequel by the way. The goons are complete buffoons and there's great slapstick comedy banter all throughout. The only difference is the inclusion of the big boss, the mystic Arab Abdul Alhazred who is no-nonsense.

I really love the Vengeance story. The character seems to have finally found the missing parts needed to flesh things out, which is ironic considering Vengeance is a Ghost Rider. Plus, this story in which a bunch of wealthy New York jerks who hunt humans throughout the 5 Burroughs and a lady cop whose starting to put two and two together about Michael Badilino and Vegeance has been really entertaining. 

Lastly is the War Machine story which just continues to read like a bad educational film on the dangers of gangs. The plot is great. It just has lousy dialogue.

As one promising story comes to a close, questions arise about plot holes. Another is just victim to overly dramatic writing. But the two stories features, which I normally am not a big fan of, starring Wolverine and Vengeance, continue to knock my socks off. 

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #153

For an issue full of multi-parter middle chapter segments, this one's pretty good. 

The best of the bunch is the Vengeance story. It focuses more on Michael Badilino's life and career as a cop more than it does on the Spirit of Vengeance. Plus, the new character of Rebecca Taylor has been a delight. She adds that Lois Lane romantic foil/secret identity snoop factor that has been missing to just about any Ghost Rider story for quite some time.

Next up is the Moon Knight story. A major case involving the leader of a white supremacist terror group is now in deliberation. Moon Knight knows that one of the juror's families are being held hostage in order to insure a hung jury. Only, the hero doesn't know which jury member's home is being held captive.

The Wolverine story is my 3rd favorite story. Logan must keep his beserker side in check when some criminals from his past come back for revenge on him and lover Tyger Tiger.

The War Machine story at this point ranks in at last. It's not a terrible story. Just the dialogue is very corny like something you might encounter in an ABC After School Special. Rhodey is trying to confiscate stolen Stark Tech while trying to get some teen gang members to go straight.

I appreciate the efforts to help kids do right. But there's a real disconnect between how writer Len Kaminski (Iron Man) thinks early 1990s LA gang members talk and how a former air force veteran should relate to them. That being said- the artwork (by New Warriors' John Czop) and the overall plot, where War Machine decides to join one of the gangs to stop the violence and killing was superb!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #152

 

He's Back! 

After an absence of about a dozen issues, Wolverine is back as a featured character in the pages of MCP. Now I know that Wolvie was a part of the massive 150th anniversary spectacular that bled over into issue #151. But lets be honest here, Typhoid Mary was the star of those issues. 

With Logan's return, the mutant is back in Madripoor, trying to spend a quiet evening with Tyger Tiger. As you know, it's an official LAW in the Marvel Universe that such intimate moments must be ruined by something tragic, fantastic or involving interloping villains. In this case- it's baddies making it difficult for Wolverine to get his groove on.

In the other 3 segments, which are all opening chapters of multi-parters, War Machine travels to L.A. to stop a gang war which is being fought using stolen Stark tech. He hopes to teach the youth that violence isn't the answer. But in order to stop this turf war, Rhodey might have to join one of the gangs!

In the Big Apple, a group of thrill seekers are hunting the deadliest game: man. In their latest quest, it's undercover cop Rebecca Taylor. Michael Badilino happens to be an ever so slight acquaintance of Rebecca from his days as a cop. So this attack is personal. It's also a matter for the latest Spirit of Vengeance, Vengeance!

Also in New York, a trial involving some white supremacists is just about to head into jury deliberation. To make sure the verdict goes their way, the racists have abducted the family of one of the jurors. But which one? It's up to Moon Knight to find the family in time to prevent a miscarriage of justice. 

All 4 segments show great promise. To me, Moon Knight was the weakest of the bunch; if only because I'm just not a fan of the character like some are. The War Machine story has a fairly predictable plot for one starring a member of the Iron Man Family. Stolen Stark tech seems to be the basis of every other Iron Man related tale. (In case you are wondering techno-viruses comprise the other 50%.)

I was hoping for it to be the end of Wolverine in the pages of MCP. But I liked that his return story continues from another great Wolverine tale told a while back in the series. If you might remember, there was a very brief story where a head injury during a plane crash caused Logan's berserker side to take completely over. Those antagonists from that adventure are the ones who are back to cause more headaches for the mutant and his lover!

Lastly, I think Vengeance might finally be hitting his stride in this book. Apparently, focusing on Badilino's day job as a NYPD cop is the missing element to this character. Previously, Badilino was just coming across as a horrible impression of an 80s-90s vigilante action hero. But put him behind his badge, and something just gels with the character. I'm looking forward to see what happens next.

A nearly flawless issue!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #151

Typhoid Mary's return to Marvel Comics Presents was so massive, it had to spill over into a second issue. 

Mary is bent on revenge. Not just to any man who ever abused her but all creeps in general. After rescuing a young woman from a research facility similar to the one that tortured Mary, both heroes and villains are on the duo's trail. Wolverine wants to save Mary. Daredevil does too. Vengeance wants to exterminate Typhoid for her sins. And then there's Steel Raven.

Steel Raven is a brand new antagonist. Just introduced for the first time in issue #150, Steel Raven is a mercenary hired by the research team that Typhoid busted her little friend out of. This new character is a lot like Boba Fett in that money talks but there's also a strong moral code. With tresses like Silver Sable, a costume like Deadpool, and an arsenal to make Frank Castle blush, Steel Raven seems to be an amalgam of many characters. Thankfully, Ann Nocenti and Steve Lightle have done a fairly decent job keeping the character from being too one-note. However, her dialogue could use some work.

Another issue that has just 1 story, split into 4 chapters. Unlike the last issue where each chapter seemed to focus on 1 main character, this time around, the story feels more like a regular comic book caper. It's got a lot going for it. But that anthology essence is completely missing.

This story has a plot twist decades ahead of its time. Well for the cinema, this story probably got its inspiration from 1992's The Crying Game. But for a Comics Code Approved book, the big surprise reveal in this two-parter is a whole generation ahead of its time. 

Year 3000 stuff.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Squish #8: Pod Vs. Pod (Family Comic Friday)

Squish is an amoeba. He loves comic books and twinkies. His best friend, Pod, is also a type of single-celled organism that claims to have opened a hole in the space-time continuum. At first Squish doesn't believe him. But when Pod starts having really bizarre mood swings for unknown reasons, maybe there really is something to this time anomaly thing...

Meanwhile, Squish's favorite comic book hero, Super Amoeba is starting to feel his age. In order to help save the people of Small Pond, the mayor creates a drone program to do most of the grunt work for Super Amoeba. With the drones a success, it appears that there's very little for the hero to do. Is retirement in the works for Super Amoeba?

I found that Squish was a rather fun book. Taking place in the microscopic recesses of a pond is not a story setting you see everyday. The characters were enjoyable and the writing rather humorous. I can really sense the spirit of Babymouse in this series and I thought it was really clever having Babymouse and Squish interact in the other books you might enjoy section in the back of the book. (In fact, I've love to see a crossover between the two characters and their franchises) However, I did think that one element of this book was a tad inappropriate- the subject matter of mitosis.

I'm going to go ahead and spoil it. This is a 6-year old book and for parents' sake, I need to talk about a major plot point. Pod's mood swings are the result of cellular mitosis. Mitosis is the process in which single-celled microorganisms reproduce. Should a grade school child really be reading about an elementary school aged protozoa having literal babies? The mysteries over why one of the characters seems to have 4 different personalities all of a sudden is an interesting read. I just think having children have children in a children's book for readers aged 7-10 isn't a proper thing.  Even if the characters are just amoebas.

Using mitosis as a plot device does have one thing going for it. It's educational and that's something writers Jennifer L. and Matthew Holm does quite well; make books for kids fun and informative. Adding to the educational fun is a science experiment kids can do with the characters in this book (and supervising parents) as well as an activity page. 

If the young reader in your life loves Babymouse, Squish is required reading. It's fun, entertaining and educational. There just happens to be a possibly controversial element twist to the story. I'm not saying to skip Squish. Just be ready to answer some potentially uncomfortable questions about reproduction.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #150

When Wolverine and Typhoid Mary parted ways at the end of 'Typhoid's Kiss' in MCP #116, I suspected that their story wasn't over.

When the Danny Ketch Ghost Rider and Typhoid Mary said their goodbyes at the end of 'The Walking Wounded' in MCP #127, I was convinced that their story wasn't over. 

And now all I can say is- I WAS RIGHT!!! (kinda...)

In the extra special 150th issue of this bi-weekly anthology, Wolverine reunites with Mary Walker to save a young woman from a shadowy research facility. The experiments being done are eerily similar to the bio-science torture Mary underwent, and resulted in the unlocking of her Typhoid Mary psyche. 

Due to the special occasion, the story is divided into 4 chapters. Wolverine and Mary occupy the first couple of chapters. Vengeance stars in the third segment. Typhoid Mary arch foe and former paramour Daredevil rounds out the story in the last chapter. 

While Wolverine and Mary reunite, opportunities are missed with Michael Badilino replacing Danny Ketch as the Spirit of Vengeance in this story. I understand that at this point in Marvel publication history, Ketch is dead or at least trapped in some sort of limbo. But couldn't the editors or issue writers Ann Nocenti (Uncanny X-Men) and Steve Lightle (Daredevil) have said that this story took place before those events so we could have had Ketch and Walker met again? Would that have been such a big deal?

I've said frequently, that for this series to really work, it needs to be comprised of 4 different segments. But I also have no qualms with MCP mixing things up if A) it's done creatively and B) it still follows the spirit of utilizing 4 segments; or in this issue's case chapters. 

But man- a giant missed opportunity that prevents this from being the perfect Typhoid Mary reunion.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.