Marvel

Many comic book collectors and fans consider Kingdom Come to be Alex Ross' best work. I like that possible future of the DC Universe. But it's not my favorite of his. I absolutely adore the Alex Ross/Kurt Busiek collaboration from 1994 known simply as Marvels. It follows the span of the Marvel Universe through the eyes of a human newspaper photographer trying to make sense of a world full of superheroes and villains.

So how in the world did I miss Ross' 2020-21 follow up, Marvel? 

Well, for one thing, I'm sure it had something to do with the pandemic. As much 'free time' as I supposedly had as a teacher having to go virtual, I did very little reading. I did even much less comic book shopping. During the pandemic, I had to attend so many useless Zoom meetings that should have been emails because the high ups in my district were terrified of being accused of not doing anything by political detractors. Plus, my anxiety was at such an all-time high, I had trouble focusing on reading. 

But once the pandemic was over and we all started exiting our homes like Punxsutawney Phil looking for his shadow, how did it still take me 4 years to discover this book? A very recent chance trip to Ollie's helped me to find this trade paperback for a very good deal. (If you're in the Durham NC area, there's still a couple dozen volumes of this book if you like to save money like I do.)

Marvel is what Alex Ross originally envisioned Marvels to be. It's an anthology unencumbered by the scope of current Marvel canon. An assortment of creators were to craft stories of their favorite characters in situations as realistic or far fetched as the imagination could reach. No timeline was off limits. Past, present, future or even alternate timeline was a possibility for the tales to be contained. Ultimately, Marvel Comics passed on this project, citing it to be an idea just too lofty for a relative newcomer in the comic book industry to tackle. So Ross put the idea back on the shelf, teamed up with Kurt Busiek and Marvel Comics history was made! (Made ironically by exploring Marvel Comics history.)

Jump forward to the approach of the 25th anniversary of Marvels. The House of Ideas approached Ross for a follow-up to the ground breaking mini. A couple of sequels, including a dark timeline 2-parter had already been done. Ross didn't really want to go back to that storyline. So he pulled deep into his portfolio and dusted off his original plans for Marvels. This time the editors whole-heartedly agreed to the miniseries.

The various stories that make up Marvel is framed with a Doctor Strange epic throughout the 6 issues of the mini. The demon Nightmare has placed the entire Marvel Universe into a deep sleep. His plan is to become the most powerful entity in the universe by drawing upon the hopes, fears and dreams of the heroes, villains and deities of the 616 Universe!

There's a ton of adventures in this book. Too many to give proper attention to. So I'll focus on just a trio of my favs. 

Alan Weiss explores an early adventure of Prince Namor set in the early days of the second World War. He's asked to infiltrate a new underwater mega-structure to determine if its a refuge for the wealthy hoping to avoid the coming global holocaust or is secretly an Axis underwater base. It's a story that shows a much more swashbuckling Sub-Mariner as opposed to the snobbish ruler of Atlantis that we know of today. Very thrilling and completely unexpected.

Speaking of unexpected, in a futuristic story set after 'The War of the Worlds', we see the apocalyptic gladiator games that Killraven was forced to compete in would be like if they were populated by super-heroic survivors of the alien invasion of Earth. I won't spoil the surprise of who makes it to the games. But it's an idea that if Marvel ever decided to expand on, I would making it a part of my pull list in a heartbeat. Featuring dynamic story and artwork by Daniel Acuna.

My choice for third is a tie. That's because we get a pair of stories starring my favorite non-superhero member of the Marvel Universe: Nick Fury. Adam Hughes crafts a Sgt. Fury story set at the very tail end of WW2. Greg Smallwood designed a whirlwind look at the Steranko era of Nick Fury: Agent of SHIELD. Both were bookend looks at a fantastic character that to choose one over the other would be like a father picking a favorite child. 

This collection was tons of fun. The unexpected ending was both bizarre and yet perfectly fitting. Marvel might have supposed to have been a celebration of 1994's Marvels but by story's end, it wound up being a love story to Timely, Atlas and Marvel Comics and the influence it has made on American pop culture history!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Giant! (2025 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

Deedrick is an alchemist. Though from the looks of the current predicament Deedrick is in, he's not a very good one. When his latest experiment results in embarrassment for the leader of his township, Deedrick is assigned to detail duty for the castle protectors. 

In other words, he's been made to clean pigeon poop off the the community's gargoyles.

Deedrick's day is about to get much worse however when he accidentally turns one of the stone grotesques into flesh and bone. The shock causes the boy to drop his cleaning brush which sets off a Rube Goldberg-like series of events throughout the town until the cleaning tool knocks over a seemingly innocent looking tablet containing various runes. Oh, and the damage to the runes awakens a giant menace who's been slumbering under the town for hundreds of years. 

Chris Warton's Giant! began as a 2013 Kickstarter campaign. Successfully funded, Warton's book was self-published under the banner of Salamander Studio. Only about 500 copies of Giant! were published. I became aware of this book years later when I found a used copy with an original sketch of the gargoyle in the inside front cover. It must have been an incentive for one of the backers. Nowadays, interested readers either have to get lucky hunting for one of the few existing print copies or they can obtain an ebook copy on Amazon as well as at Warton's personal website. A few other digital works are also available from the artist. In 2020, Warton saw another successful campaign funded, the fantasy heavy Venture Cats. 

Original sketch from my copy.

Perhaps Chris Warton's biggest claim to fame are his YouTube videos. Warton's channel features dozens of how to draw mini classes as well as time-lapsed detailings of his latest works of art. 

As for the continuing adventures of Deedrick and the living gargoyle, there's not currently any announced plans. 

Completing this review completes Task #29 (A Book Involving Gargoyles) of the 2025 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Remain in Love: Talking Heads * Tom Tom Club * Tina by Chris Frantz

Chris Frantz is the drummer and co-founding member of Talking Heads; one of my favorite bands of all-time. He's also the husband of my favorite member of the band, Tina Weymouth. From reading this book, I also have learned that he's either an amazing storyteller or someone who incredibly happened to have amazing timing being involved in the formation of so many important bands and creation of pieces of music during the late 1970s through the early 1990s.

Frantz gives a nearly day by day account of how he met and wooed Tina during the early days of Talking Heads. Every stop on the band's inaugural tour of Europe opening for the Ramones is covered in depth. Chris's Kentucky wedding to Tina practically covers the entire guest list. And the married couple's origination of the Caribbean/pop/dancehall project, Tom Tom Club, due more to financial necessity than the ultimate achievement of a lifelong dream, goes through more twists and turns than a week's of soap opera. But when it comes to the demise of the band, Chris Frantz barely spends more than a dozen pages on the topic.

In 1984, while performing in New Zealand, frontman David Byrne stormed off stage and had to be prompted back to finish off the set by Frantz. That event which basically signalled the end of Talking Heads in concert as well as the beginning of the end of the band, isn't even mentioned in this book. One might argue that Byrne is the villain of the book. But I feel that despite as contrarian David Byrne was, not to mention devious and backstabbing he allegedly was, Frantz does a heck of a job giving the self-diagnosed autistic musician a heaping benefit of the doubt. 

One reason the end of the band isn't covered as in-depth as their origins is because how Frantz tries so very hard to focus on the happy times. The name of the book is 'Remain in Love'. However, it could also have something to do with the author's raging cocaine habit that developed right along with the end of Talking Heads. Maybe it's that period of time is too hard for Chris Frantz to document. Maybe his binges were so destructive, Chris just doesn't have very much memory of those times. 

I've gained an enormous amount of respect for Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth thanks to this book; though my level was already high before. I've also grown to appreciate the forgotten Head, Jerry Harrison, a lot more. I'm also listening to more Tom Tom Club than just 'Genius of Love'. An account of the career of the Ramones is definitely on my to-read list thanks to this biography. Though I doubt it's anywhere as rosy a read as this book was. But above all, I want to read David Byrne's side of the story. I think he deserves that chance before I finalize my opinion of him.

Oh... And before I forget! David, Chris, Jerry and Tina: can we please get 1 final tour before I die, please!!!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Avengers: Disassembled

The Original Avengers come to an end in this collection by Brian Michael Bendis. 

Bendis in my opinion is a fantastic writer and a thrilling plotter. He crafts situations that are so shocking and unexpected that I can understand why he's such a controversial character in his craft. But I like him. There's a really good interview with Bendis added to the director's commentary section. It gives some amazing insight into his thought process. Many fans feel like Bendis hates the characters he writes by putting them through the wringer like he does. However, in that interview, Bendis explains that if he made the lives of each character that he was fan of without their trials, it would get pretty boring, pretty quick.

Avengers: Disassembled recounts the worst day in Avengers history. The story is 20 years old and yet I do do not want to spoil it for readers who might not have read it yet. However, I can say that you don't have to read 5 'Disassembled' storylines that take place with Thor, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, Spider-Man and Captain America. Those books 'weave a complete tapestry' of the 'Disassembled' epic but you won't miss anything if you stick to the Avengers who are the main focus of this period in Marvel history.

I believe that I can also reveal without ruining anything by saying that if you are a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and you wish to learn more about the comic book influences of WandaVision, Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness and Agatha All Along, then you will want this volume!

The artwork of the main story is by David Finch. I thought it was dynamic. In his sketchbook at the end of this book, he gets really in-depth into a particularly shocking segment. Finch is really hard on himself, pointing out all of the imperfections in his work. I totally relate. As a chef, I constantly find ways I could have made the dish better while all those who eat my creations think it's amazing. Finch as an artist sees how he could have improved while I am looking at every panel thinking it's sheer perfection. 

Also included in this volume is a one-shot finale where dozens of Avengers artists from the past 500 issues join together to recount some of Earth's Mightiest Heroes favorite moments as an Avenger while saying goodbye to the Avengers Mansion which is to be turned into a monument to the heroes who fell in the onslaught. 

A great addition to my Avengers collection of works.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Joker's Asylum

I've read some but not all of the second salvo of one-shots under the 'Joker's Asylum' lineup. They're like what you would have encountered if EC Comics had crafted a Batman villains themed anthology. The Joker is your host, leading through a captivating story about a member of the Dark Knight's rogues gallery, climaxing with a twist ending on par with Johnny Craig, Al Feldstein or Harvey Kurtzman. 

I loved the 3 I've read so far. So finding the first collection for an amazingly good price was a no-brainer.

The Penguin, Two-Face, Poison Ivy, the Scarecrow and the Joker himself are the stars of the 5 one-shots that comprised the first series. Penguin's tale of true love ruined by his vicious streak brought about by the slightest bruise to his delicate ego was the best story. Amazing tale by Jason Aaron that I could read again and again. Joe Harris's story involving the psychological monster, the Scarecrow, was a frightening yet fun homage to the teen horror flicks of the 80s and 90s with a cerebral ending. J.T. Krul's look at Poison Ivy was a classic Batman mystery tale. There's just not enough of those type of Batman stories these days if you ask me.

The Two-Face one-shot by David Hine was a morality play about human nature and whether man is inherently good or bad. So can a good man be turned into a villain while the most retched of all is redeemed as a saint? Add in Harvey Dent's very literal interpretations of the id and ego and it's definitely not a story for casual comic book readers. This is college level stuff. Plus the level of unease is at least doubled with the ending that the reader determines thanks to a simple flip of a coin. 

My least favorite story was the Joker's tale. Ironic, eh? The Joker rigs a game show in a farce by Arvid Nelson that fell short in my eyes. However, the artwork of the Joker by Alex Sanchez that reflects the many actors who have portrayed the Clown Prince of Crime over the years was exceptional. It's just a bit of a let down when the Joker tries to prove that he's not the biggest, baddest monster in Gotham. This isn't The Walking Dead. I know that the worst monster of them all is man. I don't need the Joker to remind me.

A fantastic read. Why DC will stop of only 2 runs Joker's Asylum one-shots. but put out a dozen sequel volumes of Dark Nights: Metal or DC Undead is beyond me!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 20 stars.

Simpsons One-Shot Wonders: Bart Simpson's Pal Milhouse #1

The second of 18 total Simpsons One-Shot Wonders. I knew that there was a Milhouse comic book. I just didn't know that it was part of a rudimentary series of specials devoted to some of Springfield's otherwise minor residents. Professor Frink, Police Chief Wiggum and Jimbo are among those who I've learned were given the singular starring role treatment beginning in 2012. I just don't think Lisa nor Bartman, who starred in 3 of these one-shots, deserved the honors as both of them had series runs at one time or another during Bongo Comics' impressive 25 year run. 

I found this book at this year's 301 Endless Yard Sale. One of my former students and her friends were doing a sale and I found a couple of Simpsons comics that I didn't have for only a buck apiece. I chose to read Milhouse first because of the interesting cover. I remember someone from the show being chased by that airplane a la Cary Grant in North by Northwest and I thought the image of Milhouse as Conan the Barbarian was pretty rad. Unfortunately, the concept of the book doesn't quite seem to match the way Milhouse acts on the TV show.

The general idea behind the 2 main stories is that poor, awkward, nerdy Milhouse is so desperate for friendship that his best friend is his over active imagination. I've been watching The Simpsons ever since their days as filler on The Tracey Ullman Show and while Milhouse is definitely a dweeb, I've never noticed that he got lost inside his own head. Daydream retreats by Homer? Absolutely! By Milhouse? Not so much. Okay, never...

The second story at least seemed a bit more plausible. Milhouse gets thrown into his locker by Nelson. Trapped, Milhouse imagines that the locker has a secret entrance to a gigantic secret headquarters where he's international super spy 00! 

The three back up stories were more on par with canon Milhouse. Bart learns it's his best friend's birthday and arranges to bribe everyone at Springfield Elementary into making it Van Houten's best one yet. But soft-hearted Bart doesn't last for long as he then sets up Milhouse to prank Mrs. Krabappel and eventually rats him out without conscience. Lastly, Milhouse teaches you how to make the best prank phone call ever without getting in trouble for it with Bart acting out all the steps by ringing up Moe's tavern. 

Finally, one-shots editor, Louis Lane talks about the Springfield specials he has in store. A book about Homer when he was a kid was on tap next at the time. The first special starred Ralph Wiggum and the letters page saw Milhouse answering in his school mate's stead. It was funny. Though I clearly didn't understand that inside joke about someone's made up name. I googled it and I still don't get it. Also as a bonus, there's a 'hot rod' type sticker of Milhouse that looks like it was made by Ed ' Big Daddy' Ross, that after 13 years has lost its adhesive quality and yet remains inside the comic as if by magic.

With the news about our bombing of Iranian nuclear sites last night, I felt like I needed something light to read. I got that last night. A couple of laughs as well as a chance to think about something else other than complete and utter nuclear annihilation. It just seemed more like a Simpsons Treehouse of Horror episode instead of a regular season broadcast.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Dad is Fat by Jim Gaffigan

I'm a fan of Jim Gaffigan. I've seen several of his stand up specials. His bit about Hot Pockets deserves a place in the Comedy Hall of Fame; if there is such a thing. Plus, I thought his tome Food: A Love Story was a literary classic for both lovers of comedy and food So when I came across another book from the comedian, I immediately jumped on it, expecting a big treat. Unfortunately, what Jim Gaffigan is to food, he's not so hilarious when it comes to fatherhood.

Let's back that up just a second. The guy has 5 kids with a woman that he will tell you is way out of his league. In no way am I saying that he's a terrible father or a strain on Earth's resources for having so many kids; though in this book , he argues that he is in some way both. Nor am I criticizing his parenting skills. I actually thought his making fun of children who bullied his kids at the park was rather brilliant. But when it comes to killing it in the being a dad is hilarious department, I felt like I didn't get my money's worth.

Mind you, I read this earlier in the month, leading up to and through Father's Day. Having experienced multiple miscarriages with my bride and that all my parents and grandparents are passed, that's a rough time of year for me. So maybe I was a little distanced from the experiences of the author. But I don't think that's entirely the case.

Gaffigan covers junk food, birthday cake and eating out with little ones along with other aspects of parenting. Those segments are the best of the book. I got the most laughs. Through food, though as personal insights instead of sharing a meal, I felt as a kindred spirit. Those chapters I didn't want to end. Joking about having to ride the subway with 5 little ones just didn't amuse me.

Finishing Dad is Fat, I really wanted to read his next book. I figured it would make up for the parts I felt were lacking. Unfortunately, Jim Gaffigan has only written 2 books and I've read both! His wife Jeannie wrote a book. It's supposed to be funny. But it's also about her battle with cancer. Maybe it's dark humor? I could live with that. But above all, I want more books about food from the master himself...

Maybe there's a new special of his streaming somewhere...

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Thor: The Trials of Loki

If you write a graphic novel that makes you sympathetic for Loki, the Norse god of Mischief, I think you've got a problem. He's basically the Devil. So to finish this story and feel sorry for him either means that the author was a master in their writing or we've fallen as a society to the point that we take the side of the fallen angels. Or maybe both...

Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa pens a Marvel miniseries that is very much set in the Earth-616 universe without being about superheroes. Blending Norse myth and Marvel Comics tweaks to the characters of Odin, Thor and the rest, you learn about the complicated character of Loki. The trickster is a god without a mythical realm. His Frost Giant father Laufey rejected him. His adopted father Odin prefers sons Thor and Balder over Loki. So it's no wonder that he unleashes trouble and deception upon everyone. Often with malicious intent.

It doesn't help that Loki is also foretold to usher forth Ragnarok; the end of all things.

So the ultimate question about Loki is such: does Loki intend to be evil or is it something beyond his control? This whole concept of the predestination of Loki's role in the fall of Asgard is a debate that any old school Calvinists would relish. Can Loki be to blame for the mischief he makes if he lacks free will?

The artwork is a varied mix of styles. Some pages look illustrated in the Marvel way. Others appear like they were ripped from ancient cave paintings and medieval texts. Some of that variety is due to this series being crafted by a quarter of artists and inkers. Sebastián Fiumara was the primary illustrator with Michael Lacombe the main inker. Al Barrionuevo and Álvaro López bringing the fourth and final segment to life.

This hard cover edition from 2011 is titled Thor: The Trials of Loki. However, if you own the 4-issue miniseries Loki from 2010-2011, you won't need to buy the hard cover collection. Why does Marvel repackage so many of their titles and series under different names? It's maddening! No wonder I get confused sometimes when I update my wish list or my collection database. I'm sure DC is guilty of this as well. I just don't notice their renaming issues as much.

I love the story. Really engaging. Norse mythology has always been my favorite of the ancient lores of the world. This is a very myth heavy story that makes you think. But as much of a fan of this work, I'm going trade it in for something else that I would much rather have as a part of my permanent collection, taking up a part of my limited shelf space.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Monster Fun School's Out Special 2022

Yesterday was the last day for students at the school I teach at. So it's only fitting that I read this Monster Fun special devoted to the end of class. Though really this was more about Summer fun than saying goodbye to teachers and textbooks. 

Take away the Steel Commando story and the Leopard From Lime Street which are serials, and thus forgivable to not be topical or even 'seasonal'. Still, only 1 or 2 segments take place at school and they don't involve leaving for Summer. Though that Hell's  Angel story where the diminutive hellion turns the tables on a trio of bullies was pretty funny.

The Hire A Horror story with all the beastly employees on holiday was hilarious. Kid Kong was slapsticky but entertaining. The clone adventure with Frankie Stein was predictable but worth a chuckle or two. I just wish that the artwork was a bit less hideous as a Basil Wolverton doppelganger as a PB and Brains sandwich is pretty nauseating to look at

There was another story that was a one-shot tale and not a regular segment of Monster Fun. 'The Sun' crafted by Juni Ba reveals the secret reason behind Dracula's ability to suddenly be able to exist pain free in the sunlight. It was my favorite story. Maybe if only because the punchline was eerily close to to a story proposal I wrote years ago for a now defunct Indy publisher.

Sadly, this will probably be my last read of a Monster Fun special of any type. This issue was from 2022 and being an import from the UK, it's been really difficult for my favorite comic shops to get a hold of them. Mostly, that's due to the bankruptcy of Diamond Comic Distributors. I'm suspecting our current tariff trade war isn't helping matters much lately.

Maybe I'll get lucky and find a lot of 10 issues for $20 bucks somewhere down the line. I'm always open to reading more of these. It's just nigh impossible to find these in the States anymore.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Hulk: World War Hulk- Incredible Hercules

'Planet Hulk' was one of the most amazing storylines I had ever read. So why have I been delayed reading the 'World War Hulk' aftermath and its numerous tie-ins? The truth is that I still haven't completed my run on those. But I am planning on doing a large dump for books I no longer want (and hope to trade for new stuff). This collection of issues of the Incredible Hulk (#106-111) set during the Hulk's revenge on the Illuminati for killing his wife and child on Sakaar doesn't even focus on the mean green machine. He's more of a secondary character here. Instead, it's more like the Amadeus Cho show. And I hate Amadeus Cho. 

Or at least, I did.

I wasn't a fan of when Cho became the Totally Awesome Hulk. My dislike wasn't the he was Asian. Nor did I care that he was, albeit temporarily, replacing Bruce Banner. I felt that his brashness mixed with awkward interaction as a new superhero was too much like Rick Jones. So much that I really wondered why didn't they just use Rick Jones for this? 

Amadeus Cho is supposed to be like the third smartest person on the planet. So why was he so stupid as a Hulk? He was able to keep his personality, unlike Banner who often is unable to maintain mental control during his changes. Yet despite being a MENSA on steroids, the Totally Awesome Cho was a total meathead compared to his supposed genius. That opinion of the character all changed in this book.

Far from being hulkified, this Cho is rather brilliant. Frightengly brilliant. Amadeus learned the truth behind the Hulk's disappearance and feels that the Hulk's desire for revenge is justified. However, to prevent further bloodshed, Cho bought a million acres in the middle of New Mexico and created a sanctuary for the Hulk; guaranteed to keep away those annoying humans! Too bad Cho used his super brain to rob X-Man Warren Worthington's mega sized bank account to find the project.

Cho's theft prompts Hercules and the Angel to confront the teen. And with proof in hand, Amadeus is able to swing them onto his side, meaning the trio is now in violation of the Superhero Registration Act. With SHIELD and the Illuminati on their tail, Cho and his new allies must make it to the war zone that is Manhattan and convince the Hulk to accept the teen's offer of sanctuary without exacting retribution for the death of millions of his people on Sakaar.

After the events of this book, the title changed from the Incredible Hulk to the Incredible Hercules. Here's where things get confusing. If the cover to this trade tie-in to 'World War Hulk' is to be believed, it was as published as Incredible Hercules. But all 5 issues that are collected here were originally published as issues of Incredible Hulk. Assume either and you would be wrong as the credits attribute this book as being published as merely Hulk. 

I had waited all this time thinking this was the beginning of the Hercules run, which assumed the numbering of the Hulk series for 30 issues. In a way, that's all very true. But if you're trying to collect the entire run, you're going be running in circles with Marvel's maddening way of categorizing and numbering titles as they've done this to at least 6 other 'World War Hulk' tie-ins including a collection of X-Men issues.

I really liked the writing of Greg Pak, which is ironic because he also wrote the Totally Awesome Hulk series of which I was not a fan. Maybe it deserves a second look. Above all, I definitely want to read Pak's Incredible Hercules series, which if it's only half as fun as the contents of this book, I am in for a treat. Let's just hope those books aren't collected under the title of The Avengers or something to that effect or I'll never find them...

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Amazing Spider-Man #129 (2025 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

In the 2000 film Coyote Ugly, the lead character's potential love interest secretly buys a comic book while on a date. Viewers are first led to believe that the character played by Adam Garcia, is purchasing something nefarious as the item in question is concealed in a plain brown paper bag. His paramour becomes suspicious of the whole transaction and refuses to be further seen with Garcia's character if he's secretly buying drugs. Reluctantly, the lad reveals the contents of bag: a prestige copy of Amazing Spider-Man #129. The first appearance of the Punisher and in his own words 'The Holy Grail of Comics.'

While it's debatable that Frank Castle's first appearance in comic books is the most sought after comic of them all, it cannot be disputed that that scene in the movie introduced a new phrase in comic book collecting. Social media is filled these days with collectors sharing their grail finds in the wild. Books such as New Mutants #98, Fantastic Four #52 and The House of Secrets #92 have graced my social media feed as grail finds that fans finally found. From what I see on Facebook, The Incredible Hulk #181 is way more coveted than ASM #129. Heck, I posted a grail find post once when I found a mint copy of the first appearance of Lobo, Omega Men #3, for only a buck at a local thrift shop!

With a publication date of February 1974, the world was introduced to not only the Punisher , a paid assassin with a code of honor, but also to the creepy Green Goblin clone known as the Jackal. Gerry Conway, Ross Andru and John Romita Sr. were the creative team behind the scenes. Conway wrote the issue's script. Frank Goacoia and Dave Hunt assisted Andru on the interior art. Romita and Gil Kane crafted the iconic cover that would be recreated ad nauseam on the cover a plethora of other titles from numerous publishers.

The plot of 'The Punisher Strikes Twice' takes place shortly after the deaths of both Peter Parker's girlfriend, Gwen Stacy and the Green Goblin. Spider-Man has been falsely accused once again, this time for Norman Osborne's murder. Seeking a chance to fill the criminal power vacuum in the wake of the Green Goblin's demise, the Jackal hires the Punisher to terminate Spider-Man.

Originally convinced that Spidey is a villain worthy of terminal punishment, the Punisher accepts the hit. The Punisher's mission becomes personal when he finds the wall crawler standing over the body of an associate of his. However, some quick thinking on the part Spider-Man, it's revealed that the assignment the Punisher is a trap on the part of the Jackal, framing the mercenary for the death of his colleague.

Eventually it's revealed that the Jackal is Professor Miles Warren. A mentor to Peter Parker at Empire Stste University, the educator had secretly fallen in love with Gwen Stacy. Blaming Spider-Man for her death, the Jackal unleashed holy hell on the Big Apple. He'll initiate a gang war between Hammerhead and Doctor Octopus, enhance his DNA with that of a real jackal, break the Tarantula out of the slammer and attempt to bomb reporter Ned Leeds into oblivion. Bur perhaps the fiend's most unforgivable crime will come as a result of learning Spider-Man's secret identity. Stealing some of Peter Parker's DNA, the Jackal will create a near identical duplicate; ushering in the God-awful Clone Saga!

As for the Punisher, he'll go on to become one of the most popular characters in Marvel Comics history. His origin will be revealed that his one-man mission on crime was the result of his wife and children being slaughtered by mobsters during a seemingly innocent sunny day in Central Park. PTSD from a tour in Vietnam didn't help matters much. Several series would chronicle the character's war against evil to the extent of death, resurrection and becoming a cosmic hellfire powered caretaker of a baby Thanos. Actors Dolph Lundgren, Thomas Jane and the late Ray Stevenson would portray the Punisher in several live action films. The Walking Dead's Jon Bernthal currently carries the mantle in the Marvel cinematic universe.

A facsimile edition of Amazing Spider-Man #129 was released in April, 2025.

Completing this review completes Task #37 (A Facsimile Edition) of the 2025 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Godzilla Vs the Fantastic Four #1 (2025 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

In 1977 American comic book fans were treated to the king of all crossovers when the King of All Monsters, Godzilla became an official part of the Marvel universe. For 24 issues, Dum Dum Dugan, Gabriel Jones and SHIELD did their best to contain Godzilla as he rampaged his way across the United States. Along the way, Hank Pym, Spider-Man, and even Moon Boy and Devil Dinosaur during a trip back in time, tried to stop the radioactive beast from making New York City his next stomping ground.

In the final issue of Godzilla, King of the Monsters, it's Marvel's First Family who are pitted against the beast before he ultimately returned to the depths of the sea for another underwater slumber. With Godzilla's hibernation, Marvel's partnership with Japan's Toho Studios was ended and the events of the last 2 years of events were retconned out of continuity. So it's only fitting with Godzilla's return to the House of Ideas in this 2025 series of a half dozen one-shots that the Fantastic Four are chosen to welcome the Kaiju legend back!

The 6-one shots are supposed to be a rebooted continuation of the original 70s series and will show Godzilla's progression over the years in Marvel Comics history had Marvel never lost the rights from Toho. Basically scrapping everything that happened to conclude the series, in this story simply titled 'Godzilla Vs. The Fantastic Four', Gojira has made it to Manhattan coming East via the Atlantic instead of traversing the United States. Reed Richards hopes to make a final stand at Liberty Island. Unfortunately, sheer brute strength isn't enough to keep the King of the Titans down.

Mr. Fantastic regroups, leading Godzilla to the Baxter Building. At FF headquarters, Richards will reroute the entire Eastern seaboard power grid into the Baxter Building; essentially turning it into a giant bug zapper. 

The victory is premature. Because immediately once Godzilla is defeated, the sky over New York turns to fire. This has happened before. Galactus has returned and he brings with him a new herald: the three headed alien dragon destroyer known as King Ghidorah!

Ryan North penned this epic story that rivals Stan and Jack's 'Galactus Trilogy' by adding Kaiju to the mix. John Romita Jr. penciled the interior artwork with the regular cover crafted by A Kubert. Further issues will star the Hulk, Thor, Spider-Man and the X-Men. The 6-issue chronicle into Godzilla's missing timeline culminates with a challenge by the New Avengers, who's roster is heavily influenced by the recent Thunderbolts* film starring Sebastian Stan and Florence Pugh. Hopefully, Dum Dum and Gabe will show up at some point along the way. Their appearances would be so fitting since they were main characters in the original Godzilla comic. 

Completing this review completes Task #17 (A Kaiju Comic Book) of the 2025 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Playback (2025 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

In the mid-1940s, Raymond Chandler was a hot property in Hollywood. Film adaptations of several of his mystery novels starring hard-boiled detective Philip Marlowe had been massive hits, including 1946's The Big Sleep starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. Chandler was under contract with Warner Brothers to produce a number of films based on his works. He thought director Howard Hawks had done a masterful job and was happy with Bogie's portrayal of Marlowe. However, the author had become dissatisfied with the final cut of the film as script rewrites had seriously altered his version of the plot.

Chandler was determined that the next film based on one of his works would be true to his vision. The best way to achieve this was to write the next screenplay himself. And it wouldn't be with Warner; contract or no contact. Working out a trade, Chandler's agent was able negotiate the next film to be produced at Universal Studios. Only this film would based on a totally new story; one which would not feature Philip Marlowe. It wouldn't even be set in California!

Playback begins in rural North Carolina. A young woman is accused of murdering her husband, a war hero and son of the town's most influential citizen.  Fleeing from her past and changing her name to Betty Mayfield, the woman runs as far as she can, taking a train to Vancouver. There, she meets a young man named Larry Mitchell who at first seems to take her under his wing, to the point of helping her pass Canadian customs and obtaining a room in a swank hotel. Soon Larry's intentions become clear and during a cocktail party thrown by the hotel's most prominent guest in the penthouse suite, makes a drunken pass at Betty.

In the aftermath of the incident, Betty threatens Larry, promising serious repercussions should the sot assault her again. Turns out Betty won't have to worry about Larry Mitchell ever again as the man winds up dead on her balcony patio. As inspectors attempt to solve the mystery,  Betty's troubled past in North Carolina is revealed. She believes that she's being framed, possibly by her former father-in-law, who swore revenge for his son's death. As the investigation furthers, Inspector Killaine has a gut feeling that the girl is innocent. However the evidence is mounting up against Betty. Canadian authorities are ready to make an arrest. As time runs out, Betty and a date with the electric chair and almost certainty unless Killaine can find a break in case fast.

About halfway through writing the script, Raymond Chandler got bored. Some claim writer's block. Others suspect that the author realized he needed Philip Marlowe and the sunny skies of California to complete his story and that he stubbornly refused to rest on his laurels. Towards the end of his life, Chandler had stated in interviews that he felt that his most beloved character had come to their natural conclusion and the author had bemoaned that he never achieved his dream of writing a serious work that was important to literature. Regardless of what prolonged the completion of Playback, Chandler's delays doomed the film.

Chandler finally submitted the screenplay in the winter of 1948, after missing at least 2 deadlines. Universal called for several charges that the author felt were a step backwards for him. But it was too late. With film noir beginning to lose its luster and the British parliament imposing a major tax on American film productions, Universal cancelled many of its early development projects including Playback.

Never one to let a good idea die, Chandler retooled Playback into a novel. He willingly let Marlowe take the leading man role. Chandler's hometown of La Jolla, California was used as the inspiration for the fictional town of Esmeralda, USA. The roles of a couple of major characters were lessened and the plot centered more on the P.I. than the female lead. But otherwise, the main plot of the story remained the same. Released in 1958, first to British audiences, Playback was Chandler's final complete novel as the novelist died a year later. 

Sometime prior to 2004, archivists at Universal discovered the lost screenplay. Immediate efforts were made by the production company and Raymond Chandler's estate to get the original vision of Playback to the adoring public. In 2004, Editions Denoël commissioned French comic creator Ted Benoit to adapt the recovered screenplay into a graphic novel. It's a story full of the usual Raymond Chandler formula deadly dames, cretinous secondary characters, red herrings and unexpected plot twists. Plus, it's got a Hollywood movie code twist ending that rivals any E.C. Comics classic. François Ayroles illustrated the black and white heavy brush artwork. Arcade Publishing released a hardcover English version of the graphic novel in 2006.  

To this day, Playback remains the only Raymond Chandler work to have never been been adaptation into a live action film.

Completing this review completes Task #30 (A Mystery) of the 2025 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Rick Mason: The Agent (2025 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

The Marvel graphic novel, Rick Mason: The Agent is Marvel espionage to the finest degree. The 1989 work introduces readers to the international freelance super spy with immediate action and adventure, as well as setting the new character right into Marvel canon through his interactions with several established key Marvel figures. 

Mason uncovers a plot in Hong Kong where super powered criminals are planning a coup to overthrow the ruling British government. His work with MI-6 seemingly completed, Mason is contacted via an early Internet message board to meet with a contact in New York. The operative turns out to be Nick Fury as you've never seen him before. Under a heavy disguise and working off the books from SHIELD, Fury hires Mason to investigate the sudden removal of a Soviet backed junta in the fictional South American nation of Costa Brava by super powered mercenaries .

As much as the United States loves to see the Soviet Union removed from South America, something about the entire coup stinks. For Mason, the whole episode feels too much like what he uncovered in Hong Kong. Eager to get to the bottom of this mystery, Mason accepts the mission. But not before a visit to dear old dad.

Rick Mason's father is revealed to be the master weapons maker to the villainous stars, the Tinkerer. The Tinkerer has heard via his clientele that the Kingpin, Wilson Fisk, is backing the rebellion in return for exclusive access to Costa Brava's burgeoning drug trade. With Kingpin's nearly unlimited funds, the armored leader known only as Black Armor now rules the tiny nation, slaughtering both Soviet loyalists and supporters of the previous ruling parties indiscriminately.

Trading one brutal regime for another, Mason manages to raise up an army in order to defeat Black Armor's forces while simultaneously uncovering a global plot to replace crumbling Soviet backed governments with superhuman dictatorships. The Agent will definitely get his lumps and might get captured a time or two. But if he's smart enough, in true super spy fashion, Rick might even win the girl in the process of making the world 'safe' from tyranny. 

Rick Mason, The Agent was co-created by James Hudnall and John Ridgway. Hudnall wrote the script with Ridgway on art. Color art was provided by Lovern Kindzierski If you ended up becoming a fan of the new character after you completed this book, you're either in luck or in for some disappointment.  According to the Marvel Wiki, the Agent has only made 9 major appearances in the Marvel comic book universe. Most of those are in the pages of Ms. Marvel Volume 2. Mason does have an entry in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe and made a cameo in miniseries Deadline. Despite his limited use, Rick Mason managed to make it to the silver screen when he's portrayed by O-T Fagbenle in 2021's Black Widow. Fagbenle were return in an episode of Disney+'s Secret Invasion helping Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury out of a bind.

Worth Consuming!

Rating 8 out of 10 stars.

Completing this review completes Task #26 (Set in South America) of the 2025 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Showcase Presents: Batgirl, Vol. 1 (2025 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

It's Spring of 1967. The novelty of ABC's live-action comic book, Batman, is beginning to wane. Producer William Dozier is desperate for a third season. Clocking in at 94 episodes, Batman is just inches away from the 100 episode golden parachute that will, at the time, guarantee that the show will live on in syndication. 

DC Comics is also hoping for a third season. The live action series starring Adam West and Burt Ward sparked a renewed interest in DC Comics, which had been seeing Marvel Comics nipping at their heels in recent years. Bat-mania had become the source of a licensing boom of everything from toy cars to trading cards for DC. 

The idea of a new character offered hope for that third season. During initial planning stages, editor Julius Schwartz suggested that the new character be female in order to attract new female viewers. Schwartz and Dozier agreed that the new character continues with the Bat theme of the show and be known as Batgirl. However, there had already been a Bat-Girl in the pages of Batman back in the 1950s and Schwartz had buried the character for being too corny. Thus a new Batgirl would need to be created.

Legend has it that it was William Dozier who decided that Batgirl would be Barbara 'Babs' Gordon, daughter of police commissioner Jim Gordon. After viewing a concept sketch of the new Batgirl by Carmine Infantino, Dozier optioned the character for use on the series and a 7-minute long intro pilot was filmed. Along with cutting the number of shows from twice per week to just one, ABC was excited with the new character and green-lit a third season.

Batgirl was to be portrayed by actress Yvonne Craig, a veteran of a pair of Elvis films. Dressed in a sparkling purple catsuit, Craig's Batgirl debuted first on the airwaves in the September 14th episode titled 'Enter Batgirl, Exit Penguin.' In that episode's closing credits, sole ownership of Batgirl was attributed to DC Comics.

To build up hype, DC Comics introduced the new Batgirl in the pages of Detective Comics #359, albeit with a new origin story. Like in the intro pilot, the first main villain Batgirl tangles with is Killer Moth. However, instead of rescuing Batman and Robin from the fiend's cocoon trap, comic book Batgirl arrives on the scene stumbling upon Bruce Wayne being kidnapped by the foe while on her way to a costume ball dressed as a female version of the Caped Crusader. Good thing she knows judo and other methods of physical defense!

Despite being advised by Batman to hang up her cowl as it's not ladylike fighting crime and all that, Batgirl eventually becomes one of the Dynamic Duo's most trusted allies. But not before testing the romantic waters with Batman! Early on, Catwoman eyes Batgirl as a barrier to her affections with Batman, turning into a heroine in hopes of wooing the vigilante. Batman then recruits both Batgirl and Wonder Woman to pretend to fall head over heels in love for the hero, in a bizarre plot to trap the serpentine for, Copperhead. 

This book sees the foundation of a decades long relationship with perhaps her true love, Dick Grayson in a 2-part murder mystery with an Edgar Allan Poe theme. Soon after, a new paramour is introduced in Babs' life; the amateur sleuth Jason Bard. Gordon will solve crimes with the young man as both an expert librarian and as Batgirl. While Bard won't put 2-and-2 together that the two fiery redheads in his life are the same woman, an important person in Barbara's life will make the connection; her father, Jim Gordon. 

While investigating the murder of a Gotham City police officer, Batgirl uncovers a plot to murder the Commissioner by framing a known radical cop-hater. When a sniper sneaks up upon Gordon, Batgirl accidentally calls out a warning to 'Dad', leading the commissioner to deduce the true identity of Batgirl. A couple stories later, Barbara reveals her secret identity to dear old dad before taking his place as candidate for US Congress. 

When Babs wins the congressional race, it's assumed that Batgirl will go in retirement. However, a year later in the pages of Superman, of all places, Batgirl returns to save reporter Clark Kent from a Washington DC based spy ring. This massive volume of Showcase Presents ends with a Batgirl/Man of Steel reunion in Metropolis before Batgirl and her BFF, Supergirl team up for the fourth time to stop a girl claiming to be Cleopatra from becoming the new queen of the United States of America.

Had DC not shut down the fan favorite Showcase Presents line of reprints, fans would have gotten to see more of Batgirl's life in the nation's capitol before beginning a series of team-ups with Robin, now a college aged man. These Batgirl adventures would appear in the anthology title Batman Family before returning to the backup feature status in Detective Comics. With 1985's Crisis, Batgirl wasn't retconned. But her importance was lessened. Many of her adventures were now retooled to have taken place with Power Girl instead of Supergirl. 1988's The Killing Joke would redefine Barbara Gordon's importance in the Bat Family, when she's left a paraplegic from a bullet fired by the Joker. Now operating in the shadows, Babs would become Batman's eyes and ears as the tech-savvy Oracle before being granted the ability to walk once again thanks to an experimental surgery using nanobot implants.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Completing this review completes Task #25 (With a Female Lead Character) of the 2025 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.