Mendel the Mess-Up (Family Comic Friday)

I was immediately attracted to this 2024 graphic novel from the cover alone! The owner of 2 goats and adopted by a third, I just adore caprines. Seeing the cover image of the main character astride a goat in full gallop, I was extremely intrigued and did not hesitate for a minute to check it out from my local library.

Mendel is a young boy living in a turn of the 20th century Russian village. When his mother was pregnant with him, she incurred a curse from the village witch which proclaimed that Mendel would fail at everything he tried until the day the old woman's missing son was returned to her. All Mendel's mom did was buy the last cabbage available at the market that day. But now, it seems like a self fulfilling prophecy with Mendel accidentally breaking, destroying or losing valuable items in an already financially delicate village.

When a bullying menace is warned to be approaching Mendel's village, the entire community and their herd of goats, vital to the local economy, take to the mountains in retreat. Not allowed to participate in the evacuation because of his ability to mess things up, Mendel decides to run away. But in doing so, he accidentally releases the entire herd who are making a b-line right back into town. Now Mendel must face the fierce hoards of Cossack soldiers in order to save his town's livelihood as well as prevent his convert loved ones from being discovered. And to do so, Mendel will have to turn his greatest weakness, his incredible bad luck, into his own personal strength!

I really loved this book from Holiday House. It was funny. It had some educational moments, as I had heard of the Cossacks, but I didn't really know who they were. There are definite vibes of Fiddler on the Roof with this book and as someone married to someone of European Jewish heritage, I really liked the glimpse into her family ancestry. 

There was one element that I was torn about. I don't like it when animals are abused. Yet, as someone who grew up on farms and around hunters and fisherman, I am okay with killing of animals for food. Deer heads and taxidermied fish occupied the walls of many of my relatives. But from how I was raised, as long as the animal was also used for food, such displays are acceptable. To just kill an animal for the sport of it is forbidden. However, if you've ever kissed a goat, and Yes - I kiss my goaties all the time, I cannot and will not eat goat. Dairy from goats is okay. 

Anyways, that all being said, the beautiful white goats in this book all become dinner for the invading Cossacks. I came very close to not finishing this book because of this turn of events. However, other than a couple of goat skulls and some other bones, you don't see the animals being slaughtered. Plus, the Cossacks do eat them, even though they did it by theft. So, unlike other books where animals are mistreated, I did complete this one because technically, the bad guys do follow rules of eating meat that I myself would adhere to. I figured that they just didn't know of the joy and companionship you can experience when you adopt a goat as a member of your family. 

Mendel the Mess-Up was written and illustrated by Terry LaBan. I loved his cartoonish style. I'm a sucker for thick brushes and his doesn't get any wider! As for the writing style, it felt so real. Maybe because even though it was a work of fiction, it was based on the life and times of his grandparents from their days in the Old Country. Although is Russia the Old Country???

Recommended for readers aged 8-12, there are scenes of violence with the Cossacks destroying Mendel's hometown. The 'witch' in the story is quite intimidating. And of course, the goats get eaten. But it's a story with roots in historical truth as the Cossacks weren't very nice people. Sometimes the past isn't very nice and tidy. That doesn't mean that this isn't a book that the entire family could enjoy!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Star Trek: The Next Generation Special #1

This 1993 special wasn't meant to be a supplemental piece to the already established TNG series from DC Comics. In fact, this deluxe sized issue was meant to give a myriad of writers and artists a chance to craft their very own Star Trek tale. It was like the ultimate fan fiction comic. Only it was crafted by professionals. 

There are 3 stories in this book. First up is a Guinan led story by Tony Isabella, who now identifies as Jenny Blake, and Bob Ingersoll. On special assessment from the Enterprise, Guinan is helping an old friend establish a saloon on a Federation colony. An outbreak of psychosis has plagued the new colony; threatening to shut the entire operation down. With the latest attack, Guinan summons the Enterprise, that provides an away team led by Commander Riker. As members of the Enterprise crew begin to experience episodes of terror, it's identified that each victim is facing their deepest, darkest personal fears. But who or what is invading the minds of the crew and colony? Hopefully, a member of the Enterprise security team with limited psychic ability will be able to uncover the culprit!

Ken Penders pens a story where Worf requests some leave in hopes of training his son Alexander in the ways of the Klingon warrior. Unfortunately, the planet Worf choose for his father/son bonding is about to experience a massive electromagnetic storm. Can the Enterprise make it to the planet in time to make a rescue?

Lastly, Star Trek novel legend Diane Duane provides a glimpse at a day in the life of Data's beloved cat Spot. Having accidentally escaped from his master's quarters, the curious kitty takes an epic trek through the bowels of the Enterprise D.

This special was originally supposed to usher forth a new anthology of quarterly releases, as per the article from editor Alan Gold at the back of the book. But as with many ambitious plans in the comic book industry, it wasn't meant to be. At best, DC managed 6 total specials over the span of 3 years. 3 were devoted to the Original Series and a trio starred the Next Generation. I've got all 3 of the specials starring Kirk and Spock. But I only have the first 2 books starring Data and Picard. In fact, I didn't even know that their was a 3rd book! So I have something to look forward to! 

Actually, I have 2 things as I haven't read the second special yet!

Lots of fun and it felt very authentic to the crew of the world Enterprise D! I just wish that the mystery behind that plague of insanity wasn't given away from the very beginning!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Danger Street, Vol. 2

It probably wasn't that brilliant an idea to go a year before I read the second, and final, volume of the Tom King Black Label maxi-series Danger Street. This tribute to the DC First Issue Specials of the 1970s, is complex; with dozens of plots all merging together into a potential universe shattering event. Add Darkseid and the New Gods into the mix and you can be sure that the conclusion will be anything but simple.

In my defense, waiting this long was entirely all my fault. Volume 2 wasn't available at the time I checked out the first from my local library. Sure, I could have gone and bought the companion piece on Amazon. And I enjoyed the opener. But this wasn't something I wanted to spend my hard-earned cash on. Going into the summer and forgetting about this book didn't help either.

When we last left our players, several characters had died. Metamorpho, a member of the Dingbats of Danger Street, several members of the Green Team and the demigod Atlas had all gone on to their eternal reward. It was Atlas's death that triggered the end of all things. It's a situation so desperate that even Darkseid is working with Highfather to stop the eclipse of the Fourth World.

Before his demise, Atlas bestowed his powers to Good Looks. That event should prevent the end of the universe. It just happens to be that Good Looks is the Dingbat killed accidentally by Warlord and Starman. In other words, we're $(π€#€∆! 

Now the Dingbats, Lady Cop and Warlord among others are rushing to obtain the sole object that could save everything: the helmet of Fate. But on the flip side, the Green Team's surviving leader, the Commodore, is using his nearly endless resources to make sure that the apocalypse comes by sending the Creeper and a nearly unbeatable assassin after those seeking the magical relic. As the scale looks perfectly balanced between good and evil, what will be the ultimate outcome when you add in the unknown factors of the ever determined Manhunter and the freakish Outsiders!

I like Tom King. He has a devotion for DC nostalgia and a real love for the publisher's B and C level characters. But as much as I love his work, Tom King manages to anger me because it seems like he takes delight in killing off all of the oddball characters I adored as a kid. But this time around, King manages to end the story on a somewhat positive note. There's a body count. But I was okay with who lived and who did not.

I really think if I had read volumes 1 and 2 back-to-back or within maybe a month of each other, I would have enjoyed it more. The New Gods were tied into the main plot which brings all of these eclectic characters together. But they play such a diminished role in regards to the ending. It almost felt like they were unnecessary. But you can't have a story combining all of the players from the First Issue Specials without including Darkseid, Orion and Mantis- even if this was a neutered version (at best) of the ruthless leader of Apokolips. Plus, there are so many philosophical diatribes, especially in issue #7, that I found myself wondering what the hell everyone was talking about. Thus weighing in all these factors, I hereby stand with the rating I give without feeling like I was biased.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Archie Halloween Spectacular 2024 #1

I found it! Also, I am not crazy. Scatterbrained because of symptoms from fibromyalgia. But I knew that I had read this before. Apparently, I filed this into my collection before reviewing it. (This is becoming an annoying pattern.) But I had read it before and yes, based on the events in this book going on to the events of the Halloween specials for 2025, I have missed something in the Amber Nightstone Saga featuring Sabrina the Teenage Witch.

In the all-new feature, Sabrina is summoned to Riverdale by Jughead. Juggie apparently is the only member of the Archie gang that knows Sabrina Spellman is a witch. Though, like with Batman, I think a whole lot of people know her true identity but they keep it quiet in order to stay out of trouble.

Anyways, Jughead is aware that his good buddy Archie is going on a date with Amber. Sabrina realizes that Arch has been entranced and along with Jughead, Sabrina seeks to save Archie from her enemy's clutches. Behind all of this is an ancient evil and the promise of more trouble from Nightstone.

Though they appear on the cover, Halloween sprites Trick and Treat don't have anything to do with this issue; even with the reprint stories. So when Archie expressed trepidation over being fooled by those characters again, as with what happened 'the previous Halloween' and Amber Nightstone is revealed to having ensnared Trick and Treat, I knew that I missed something. I still don't know where all that background stuff happened and it's a bit infuriating. Hopefully, Archie will produce a complete Amber Nightstone Saga trade so that I can get the full story. 

Next Halloween, perhaps?

The other reprints are more modern tales. There's a spoof on the M3gan movie where Veronica buys an expensive luxury toy that seemingly comes to life with malicious intents. As for the other stories, I can't really recall them. It has been over a year, ya know...

Obviously, I liked this special enough to have remembered bits from it. I don't think forgetting to review it speaks to it's diminished quality or anything like that. Although I really enjoy the stories from the Archie Madhouse era. People don't seem to realize it, but  Archie Comics was a pioneer, utilizing vampires and other monsters during a period in comics history when monsters and ghouls were verboten! And they managed to still receive the CCA stamp on their covers. I guess it goes to show that humor can trump horror and it's detractors - if it's done as a lampoon. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

The Mythmakers: The Remarkable Fellowship of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien

I found this 2024 work in the graphic novel new release section of my local library. Though I am not really sure that you could classify this book as a graphic novel. It's more of a hybrid graphic novel/prose non-fiction biography. I'd say a good 50% of this book is prose. Plus the dialogue is very wordy. But I think that's to be expected as the subjects of this book by John Hendrix were both academics and philosophers.

C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien were the 20th century's most distinguished fantasy writers. Lewis wrote dozens of works in many genres, including early science fiction, children's literature and Christian theology. Tolkien was a perfectionist with anxiety and writer's block. But he managed to create an entire universe with his 4 volumes of completed stories set on Middle Earth. 

For a good period of time, the two were the best of friends and if it wasn't for the other encouraging their mates on, we wouldn't have Aslan, Frodo, the White Witch or Gandalf the Grey. They were each other's biggest fans and harshest critics. But as iron sharpens iron, Lewis and Tolkien refined each other into becoming 2 universally beloved authors. Unfortunately, as happens with many friendships, the two men grew apart. Yet, the respect and love the two had for each other was unwavering.

I had a difficult time getting through the first chapter. It wasn't about the history of Lewis or Tolkien. Instead, it was more of an introduction of what made a story either a myth, a legend, or a fairy tale. While I learned how a fairy tale could be as such without the inclusion of a fairy, I was very lost in this opener. Plus, I didn't like how close to calling The Bible a fairy tale or myth the author got and he's supposed to be a Christian author and illustrator!

Our narrators are a Wizard in full garb along with a pointed hat and a Lion dressed in rather a shabby looking blazer. I took me a while to figure out that the Wizard personified Tolkien, who was essentially one of the first cosplayers, and that the Lion in a shabby flannel coat was Lewis, as a lion is the main heroic character in The Chronicles of Narnia, and Lewis wasn't known to be a very flashy dresser 

While the opening chapter was a bit of a chore to get through, the rest of the book was not. It was a fascinating history of the two authors, growing up at the turn of the century, during an industrial boom, experiencing the horror of World War I and then witnessing the sun set on the British Empire after the devastation of the second World War. I even felt that the trio of appendices were really good. They felt more geared for the lay person as opposed to the introductory chapter which was too academic for my tastes.

While I wasn't too keen on John Hendrix in how he kept comparing Jesus to the great stories of myth and legend, I would not mind having him act as my guide through history. I see that Hendrix wrote a graphic novel about Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a pastor who became a spy and potential assassin of Adolf Hitler. I've been wanting to read a biography of this complex figure in World War II history and this seems up my alley.

So as much of an issue I might have had with some parts of this work, I think it speaks volumes that I am willing to give John Hendrix another try. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Zombie Fairy Tales #1

I've read a zombie horror/comedy special from Antarctic Press previously. It was pretty funny with lots of quick gags. Based on that positive experience, I was rather stoked to find this fairy tale based horror special from the same company. 

For the most part, I enjoyed this 2011 one-shot. There were some unique takes on Little Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks and the Three Bears that resulted in chuckles. I was disappointed that despite having Peter Pan, Tinkerbell and a zombified Captain Hook on the cover, they don't appear anywhere inside. But like most anthology comedies do, this special made the mistake of having 1 long story that wasn't all that funny and ruins the flow of the work. 

The Kentucky Fried Movie and Amazon Women on the Moon both fell into this trap. They had fantastic, rapid fire skits that left you dying laughing; only to slow everything down with a very long, and nowhere near as hilarious segment that ruins everything! 

That's exactly what happens here. In a parody of the Disney Princesses, Prince Charming is about to break Snow White from her sleeping spell with a kiss when a couple of sidekicks approaches him with alternate options. The Little Mermaid and Jasmine are also in need of smooches. Whomever the Prince awakens will make him a very wealthy and powerful man. But just who will Charming select?

There were a few chuckles. But it was also a story that seemed to cross several lines. Hermaphrodite ( or trans- not sure which) jokes aren't funny. They clearly aren't jokes that would fly today... Or would they? Considering how the pendulum has shifted politically in the last year or so, it's hard to tell. Regardless, when they started mingling in characters from Resident Evil, they really overcrowded the stew and like those longer segments from comedic cinema history, it fell flat. 

Not sure if I wanna keep this one. It started so well. It ended so poorly. Can't win them all I guess.

Rating 5 out of 10 stars.

Grubbs Loves Halloween #1

Every time I think that I have reviewed all of my reads for Halloween 2025, I find a book that I read but never reviewed. I'm finding that vivid dreams are a symptom of my fibromyalgia. I will read a book before bed and as I drift off to sleep, I will have crafted a brilliant review. I dream that I posted it here on my blog and everything, only to find out a couple of days later that no, I really didn't write up a fantastic dissertation on the comic, graphic novel or book that I completed. 

The latest Grubbs Halloween special is just another example of such.

In this 2025 one-shot, Grubbs has drafted plans for the ultimate Halloween. It involves, costumes, candy and pranks. Lots of pranks, of which if Grubbs can pull off before midnight will net him a wager of lots of Halloween candy and treats. First up, Grubbs plans on making some Halloween cookies with a special ingredient. Then Grubbs gets in trouble at school and has to pay off his punishment by being the target in the school carnival's dunk tank. Then it's a chance to win his big bet. Unfortunately, the big kids who Grubbs tricked into stealing a giant bag of doggie doo instead of his candy haul, are after the lad; chasing him deep into the bowels of his school's haunted house. It seems that the chances of winning his Halloween bet are in danger for ol' Grubbs.

Lots of fun. I've enjoyed both Grubbs Halloween specials that I have read. The world of Grubbs is so smart and funny. The level of imagination and the great banter between the siblings reminds me of Bill Amend's Foxtrot. Boy, do I miss Foxtrot. At least I get a little bit of a fix here with Grubbs and company. 

This issue was even better than the last special. Probably because both tales in this issue involved Halloween. That other Grubbs special ( I read) had a backup that could have taken place anytime of the year and with Grubbs wearing a tee-shirt and playing with a water hose, it felt like a springtime affair instead of during a chilly fall day.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

The Giant: Orson Welles, the Artist and the Shadow

Orson Welles was a contradiction. He was unwavering as a film director; to the point of being so pioneering that he could be considered avant garde. Yet in order to fund his passion projects which he created away from the constraint of an art film despising Hollywood, the genius actor would whore himself out for desperately needed funding by appearing in some of the worst films ever made. Don't get me started on his formulaic sponsorship of second rate wines and computers for cash because his directorial vision was considered damaged goods. 

Also, don't get me started on his narration of the 1981 documentary about Nostradamus, The Man Who Saw Tomorrow. I saw it at my grandparents when I was about 7. It scared the absolute hell out of me. And I'm kinda glad this graphic novel overlooked that small blip on the movie legend's nearly 50 year long acting career 

The Giant is a 2025 graphic novel by Youssef Daoudi about the trials and troubles of Orson Welles. Declared a wunderkind at an extremely early age, Welles shocked the world with his Halloween, 1938 radio presentation of The War of the Worlds. The panic caused by the radio program made Welles a household name. It also opened the floodgates to Hollywood. Right off the bat, Welles crafted a work of art: Citizen Kane. Though it would be decades before critics, audiences and Hollywood would appreciate its ground breaking use of flashbacks and never before seen camera angles.

By the way, I think it is a brilliant movie. Yet, it's a film not without it's flaws. If the title character of Charles Foster Kane died alone, how did anyone know that his last word before dying was 'Rosebud'?

Confused audiences and a controversy involving a smear campaign by Welles' inspiration for Citizen Kane put the newcomer on notice. Going over budget and refusing the studio's requests for re-shoots and to be dumbed down caused Orson Welles the director to flee to Europe where he was appreciated by artsy audiences. But Orson Welles, the actor, was considered the ultimate casting by any studio, director or actor. Yet, he could still be difficult to work with; never afraid to express his displeasure with a horrible script. 

But with several divorces, child support and an appetite for excess, Welles needed money for his art. And that meant taking on roles in films the actor felt was below his genius.

Along with his ego and sense of importance, the title of this book could refer to Orson Welles imposing physical presence. He battled with food and drink. At times, he weighed over 300lbs. Though based on some segments of this book, I would not be surprised if he came closer to 400. Standing at 6 feet tall, add the weight and the personality, and Orson Welles could be the tallest person in a room full of Harlem Globetrotters.

Just like Welles, creator Youssef Daoudi gets artistic. He loves to utilize the lobby cards of Welles' films as scene framing devices. He time jumps all over the place like Citizen Kane on caffeine pills. But to go deep into the troubled artist's psyche by having Welles' shadow point out the man's faults and shortcomings. I think I would have preferred a more straightforward look at the life and career of the actor and groundbreaking filmmaker.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: out of 10 stars.

The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett

I don't know if there's been a debate over which is the better detective writer. But between Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler, my money is on Chandler. I tried to get into crime noir as a kid and while I liked it, I wasn't mature enough for it. I tried to get into Hammett's work but I found him too wordy. I probably would have stayed by that assessment without needing to review my position. But I found a copy of The Maltese Falcon for a really good price and decided to give Hammett another try.

The story is where the world was introduced to Sam Spade. He'd appeared in a short story a year prior. But it didn't really move the needle. It was until the popularity of this story broken into 5 parts in the pages of Black Mask magazine in 1929, that the world really got a good look at the celebrated private investigator who only ever appeared in 5 works by Hammett and one of those was left unpublished! 

When The Maltese Falcon were collected into a single novel in 1930, it became a smash hit. It also laid the foundation for hard boiled crime fiction. Humphrey Bogart made the character of Spade a household name in 1941's black and white film adaptation, directed by John Huston; which is considered one of the greatest films ever made. You might be wondering why it took over a decade for Bogie to play Sam Spade.  Actually, a film version was made in 1931. But it's content was so salacious, with nudity, sex and homosexual overtones, that film standards adopted shortly after it's release, prevented it from ever being re-released to the viewing public. Hence, a toned down remake was necessitated to be made for the viewing public of a pre-WW2 America.

In the story, Sam Spade is accused of murdering his detective agency partner, with whom he is having an affair with the man's wife. To clear his name, Spade must figure out how the client his partner was hired to protect got tangled up with a trio of criminals who all accuse the woman of stealing something valuable from them: a one of a kind golden statue covered in black resin called the Maltese Falcon. Lost from the annals of history, the Falcon was supposed to be a tribute to the King of Spain, during the time of the Crusades. If the bird can be recovered, it would be a priceless relic that could net Sam Spade and his client a hefty pay day.

As the murder count grows, so does distrust among the group. Sam and his client get rather intimate with each other. And the police threaten to send Spade away on a murder charge for a very long time. What results is a trio of chapters that crosses and double-crosseds everyone on the suspect list a good 3 or 4 times a piece and becomes some 40 or so pages of the most well written crime drama even written. I just wish the other 175-odd so pages were just as good. 

Okay, that last statement might not be quite so fair. Before the last 3 chapters, there is a span of 3-4 chapters that I also thought were very good. But I just couldn't get into this book until I reached chapter 11. At that point, something just clicked. It felt like the writer had finally gotten into the zone, or whatever similar mode of excellence that writers get into when they get cooking. But that first half of the book was rather difficult for me to get engaged with. I was averaging 2 chapters a night at first. That was how much I could take. With the adventures of Philip Marlowe, I was finishing entire 80 page short stories in just an hour worth of read time. 

I will say that I no longer consider Dashiell Hammett to be 'wordy'. But I feel like he was too focused on the mundane. For instance, he can spend an entire 200 word paragraph, exploring the contents of a dead man's pocket. Not plural. For each searched pocket, Hammer devotes another paragraph to it and I am just not sure it was all that necessary. But Hammett's dialogue is brilliant. So good, that I am willing to give Nick and Nora Charles with their witty repartee and frequent downing of martinis a try with Hammett's The Thin Man. 

It wasn't Raymond Chandler. But it wasn't terrible as I had thought it was 30 years ago either. My tastes grew up and so did my appreciation. 

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars. 

Marvel: Black, White & Blood AND Guts #1

Marvel has been offering several 'Black, White, Blood and Guts ' one-shots this autumn season. But this is the only one that I have seen that was advertised as the company's annual Halloween release. I guess the Crypt of Shadows was being renovated this year.

I read this a couple weeks ago actually. But I forgot to review it. Well, I forgot to write it down. I'm realizing that I have developed this habit of writing up really good reviews in my dreams and then going about my business thinking that I already given my opinion on the works in person.

There are 3 stories. The first two, star the vampire hunter, Blade. 

The opener is a bloodbath on par with the opening scene of the original Blade movie starring Wesley Snipes. It imagines if Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg were vampires who use a medical social media app of their design to recruit the healthiest of the healthiest users for their own personal smorgasbord. True, the names have been changed to protect the innocent; but deep down you know that writer Al Ewing was referring to Musk and Zuckerberg as the bloodsuckers in that fright fest. 

In story #2, Blade's hired to protect a member of a dying family of hellhoundss. Instead of killing the seemingly little girl, Blade reluctantly takes the job, fighting off a horde of the undead who wants the ageless child for her imbued blood. It was a thrill a minute read that left me confused. I thought Blade was committed to destroying all vampires. And yet, he's a group of day sleepers that not only does Blade respect, but feels their survival is vital to, um well... I'm not sure. But Blade feels some sort of loyalty to them. I may have to do a wiki-search for more information.

The final story takes place in the not too distant future. It might also take place on another Earth; but the reader is given the option by the narrator to decide that. The possible grandchild of Pepper Potts brings a friend over to her house in search of the late Tony Stark's Iron Man armor. The Avenger was killed by a curse from a demi god and unbeknownst to the lad, he's about to fall under its voodoo when he tries on the helmet.

Of the 3 stories, this was the best one. It has that classic horror twist ending with a gruesome final panel that leaves everything to the reader's imagination. The middle story was great but a bit too confusing for me. For someone who likes symmetry and for themed books to follow a shared concept, not having Blade in the final story makes my brain itch. 

Another element of this book that makes my brain itch is the cover. It's an amazing cover by E.M. Gist. It has an Alex Ross quality to it ,which means I love it. While it has Blade in the background as well as Iron Man, it also has the Hulk and the Silver Surfer on the cover. Where the heck are they in this one-shot? What's that? This isn't the 2025 Marvel Halloween special?!

Even though the Previews description for this issue ties in the October release date, this isn't a one-shot; nor is it meant for Halloween. Adding to my misunderstanding, one of the variant covers has Cyclops and Jean Grey in costume at a Halloween party. Now I understand why the owner of my local comic shop asked me if I wanted the rest of the books. I thought they were asking if I wanted the special covers. I have requested some of them previously before. But what he was asking me was whether or not I wanted the other 3 issues of this horror anthology miniseries with a gory slant to it. In other words: Marvel isn't releasing a series of 'Black, White, Blood & Guts' specials. They're all part of a miniseries!

Okay, so I can forgive Marvel and E.M. Gist for putting Hulk, Surfer and parts of the Punisher and Thor on the main cover without them being in this book. Upon researching the other 3 issues, they all appear to be on tap for future starring roles in a forthcoming issue. Gist just seems to be giving readers a preview of what's in store and I can appreciate that. What I cannot overlook is having Blade in 2 of the 3 tales. Why couldn't he either have been in all 3 or that he could have been removed from one of the stories he started in. I don't mind either way- though I think an all-Blade issue would have been sweet! (Maybe next Halloween?) But this uneven presentation just irks me and I must take away 1 star from my rating.

Will I get the other 3 issues? I do love horror and these were a trio of pretty good tales. But I probably will wait to find them in a bargain box instead of shelling out the full cover price of $5.99, which is in my opinion, just a bit too high for my preference.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Archie Halloween Spectacular 2020 #1

A couple of days ago, I reviewed this year's annual Archie Halloween special. I had mentioned that there was a story inside that seemed to continue a continuing plotline from the past couple of spectaculars and it made me feel like I had missed something. Afterwards, I did some digging and discovered that I had somehow missed last year's edition! Not sure how I did that. But it lit a fire under me to search around for it as I still have a couple of gigantic piles of books to bag, inventory and add to my collection.

I thought I hit pay dirt when I found this book. Satisfied, I began reading it without checking the publication year. After reading the first story that was devoid of neither Sabrina the Teenage Witch or those Halloween sprites Trick and Treat, I discovered that this was the Halloween special from 2020!

Now October, 2020 was right in the middle of the pandemic. The entire comic book industry shut down and most of the holiday specials announced for release in October and December were postponed. So I likely didn't get to buy this book until early in the new year of 2021. That would explain how I missed this one. But where in the heck is last year's book?

The 2020 special was in my opinion kinda dull. Although I suspect that if I would have had this during the doldrums of COVID-19, it would have been a highlight of my home bound Halloween season. (It's amazing what seasonality and your current circumstances will make a ho-hum book feel like a masterpiece.) (And compared to how good this year's Archie's Halloween Spectacular was, this book just couldn't compete!)

The all-new opening story finds Archie determined to scare Reggie after being humiliated for the last time. It's a story that I know that I have read before, only by different writers and artists. And probably not set during Halloween.

The immediate follow up story was much better, even though it wasn't set at Halloween. Inspired by the movie Night at the Museum, Jughead and Archie spend the night at the local history museum. As a prank, a couple of employees dress up as cavemen and scare the boys silly. 

The next tale funds Archie in his eternal predicament: committed to taking Betty and Veronica to the Riverdale High Halloween Dance at the same time. But in a twist, there's a third player who's impersonating both the the girls. If you're familiar with the legend of the Betty-Archie-Veronica love triangle, you'll know immediately who the fourth wheel is and it's NOT Sabrina! 

And yes! I knew who it was!

Archie specials typically have 4 stories. But the 2nd and 3rd yarns are pretty long. So the 4th entry is a one-pagers that I've read previously somewhere before. It's a parody of the famous demon on the airplane wing episode of The Twilight Zone. I love it and I wonder if they ever made more of those...

I enjoyed this read. I would have really loved it if at least all 3 large tales were all about pranks instead of just the first 2. Plus I wish there was more creativity behind the new opener. It felt more like a mid-90s stagnant era Archie Comic instead of a more dynamic 2020s offering. I guess I have been spoiled by the superior quality of the past several years of holiday specials...

As for the cover by Jeff Shultz and Rosario 'Tito' Pena, this is why I would choose Betty over Veronica any day of the week?

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Harley Quinn x Elvira #1

I had forgotten that I not only bought this Dynamite Entertainment/DC Comics 2025 crossover, I made sure to special order it and the rest of the 6 issue miniseries. I'm a huge fan of Harley Quinn. I've been a fan of hers since her first appearance all the way back to September 11, 1992 on Batman: The Animated Series. I am a proud member of the Gang of Harleys. Plus I am a sucker for any and all comic books that are Halloween themed. Even if the Samhain celebration in this story is occurring in August!

A bad dream reveals that Harley has subconsciously been fretting over missing Halloween last year. She had a terrible stomach flu. So in order to make up for missing All Hallows, she's going to throw the biggest Halloween party Coney Island has ever seen- in the sweltering heat of Summer! And to make it a bash to remember, Harley's going to have as the guest of honor, the Mistress of the Night herself, Elvira. Now all Harls has got to do is meet Elvira...

As for Elvira, she might be able to make it to the bash. Her schedule has suddenly been blown wide open after she learns that her weekly horror movie theatre program has just been cancelled! So when Elvira goes to give her old boss a piece of her mind at his house, she runs into Harley, who just happens to have a fully loaded rocket launcher in her possession.

One big boom and a destroyed mansion later, Harley Quinn has become Elvira's newest best friend. And suddenly in need of cash, the horror hostess agrees to host the extravaganza. Cue the promise of issue #2...

I've got zero idea where this story is going to go. I am just thrilled that the two stars of this series meet with at least half of the first issue remaining. I can't tell you how many cross company crossovers I've read where the two stars don't meet until the last page of the first issue. I also couldn't tell you what's in store for Harley Quinn and Elvira. There isn't really an antagonist here unless you count Elvira's boss. Logic tells me he'll pop back up by the end of this miniseries. But he can't really be the only bad guy in this thing. Can he? 

Unfortunately I might not find out who the villain of this miniseries is until March of next year. I mentioned already that this is a 6-issue miniseries. What I've neglected to mention is that each issue is a monthly. Issue #2 isn't due until right before Thanksgiving and it's Hanukkah when we'll all see issue #3. If you are a regular reader of my blog, you will know that I hate cliffhangers. As much as I appreciate the talents of Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner and Juan Samu, I'm not sure I can wait until March for the full ending. This issue finished with an ending that left me satisfied enough to wait for the other 5 issues to come out before I read the whole thing. 

Who am I kidding? It won't be until next Halloween when I read it all in a row. I don't care if Harley and Elvira's block party takes place in August, April or next week. I'll be saving this for October 2026!

A little bawdy for my taste. But full of Halloween humor!

Worth Consuming!

Rating:  8 out of 10 stars.