Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future #1 (2026 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

One of the top toys for boys in 1987 was the Captain Power line from Mattel. The idea of being able to basically play laser tag with friends using fighter ships and menacing robots was a dream come true for those of use who would play a similar type game with our X-Wings and TIE Fighters. For those of us who lived in more remote locations, the opportunity to play against a weekly television show was a godsend. If you were really lucky, you could play all the time against the show if you owned one of the 3 VHS recordings of the series. 

Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future was a live action/CGI series that aired for 22 episodes from 1987-88. The show was syndicated, meaning that some regions of the country might not have even aired the series. Some of those locations lucky enough to receive the dystopian sci-fi series, like WLFL-22 in Raleigh, NC, Captain Power aired on Sundays at the ungodly hour of 6:30am! 

For my 10th birthday, I received the XF-7 jet for my main present. Along with the toy which was essentially a light gun, came a - inch Captain Power pilot action figure and a training program video cassette. A month later, thousands of boys got their wish opening up similar flyer sets for Christmas. By that time, I had already figured out what a host of kids were about to find out- this toy sucked!

Each episode would have computer generated scenes in which Captain Jonathan Power and his band of human resistance fighters would fight against the evil robotic army lead by a thrift store version of Darth Vader called Lord Dread and the discount Skynet computer system he co-created and mentally fused with, OverMind. Both teams would have areas on their suits and ships that bared a shimmering red or golden light. The idea was during the battles on the TV, you played along shooting at the opposite team. If you accidentally shot an ally, you lost points. If your score went to zero, your figure would eject from the cockpit symbolizing your defeat.

Keep in mind, 1987-88 was a time where some homes still had black and white TVs. Not quite 50% of the population didn't have cable yet. There was no streaming. Satellite TV was for the very rich. If you didn't have crystal clear reception, many of your 'shots' wouldn't register. Or you would be accused of shooting an enemy, which during the training video, are nowhere to be found. I've heard reports that if you didn't have a color TV, your toy wouldn't even work with it. The ships went through batteries like worms through a goose. The only time that the toys worked decently was one-on-one play. At $33 a vehicle, you were lucky to find someone else that had another Captain Power vehicle to interact with. Being a household with both an XF-7 and Lord Dread's Phantom Striker was even scarce. So, for varying game play, you looked forward to the TV show. 

However, by Spring of 1988, most TV stations had stopped carrying the series. Parents found the concept of a robot apocalypse series geared at kids to be questionable subject matter. Human survivors were slaughtered with abandon by android hunters. The series faced criticism of being an allegory of Nazism and the Holocaust. And as holiday sale reports declared the toy line a failure, by March, Captain Power was a victim of cancellation and it's toys were clearance aisle fodder.

Unfortunately for Neal Adams, by the time his Continuity Comics had released it's first issue of a Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future comic book, the franchise was dead and buried. As a result, only 2 issues were published. Based J. Michael Straczynski's 2-part script, ' A Summoning of Thunder' reveals the origins of Captain Power, Lord Dread and what caused the Metal Wars that led to the near destruction of humanity. The most shocking revelation is that OverMind was co-created by Power's father, who spends the rest of his life leading the few remaining humans, including his son,  in a battle of man vs machine. 

Written and illustrated by Neal Adams with script assists by Peter Stone. Cover was also by Adams.

Completing this review completes Task #23 (Live Action Comic Adaptation from the 1980s or 90s) of the 2026 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Marvel Graphic Novel #31: Wolfpack (2024 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

Sam Weltschmerz is a Jewish teen living in the South Bronx. He's accused of attempted murder by a gang member who probably assaulted his dad and most definitely burned the family hardware store to the ground. Known as Slippery Sam because of his ability to make sly escapes, the teen is the oldest established member of the vigilante team, the Wolfpack.

Formed in China 2000 years ago, the Wolfpack was created to protect the earth from evil. A splinter group called the Nine is the Wolfpack's primary foe. Mr. Mack, the Wolfpack's sensei, took martial arts, including the way of the ninja, that he learned overseas in the navy and formed a new Wolfpack to confront the Nine who have set up operations in the crumbling wasteland of the Bronx.

Along with Slippery Sam, this Wolfpack consists of the brooding giant genius, Slab, the ultra fleet of foot Sharon, and young Malcolm, AKA Wheels, a brilliant strategist confined to a wheelchair. After running afoul of the gang members who attacked Slippery Sam's family, the brash Rafael becomes the newest member in the fight against the Nine.

Wolfpack made their debut in the 31st edition of Marvel Graphic Novel. It was co-created by Larry Hama and Ron Wilson. Wilson came up with the team name, the members of the Wolfpack and the concept behind the evil intentions of the Nine. Hama was hired to write the script. As a result, many of the character back stories and tha inclusion of martial arts, a subject of great interest to Larry Hama as you can see in his G.I. Joe comics, were added to the story. 

Both Larry Hama and Ron Wilson were born in New York. Wilson, a Brooklyn native drew inspiration from the gangs and war on drugs he encountered from his childhood. Wilson imparts a heavy 'Just Say No' to drugs fervor, especially in the backgrounds of many scenes where the rhetoric is displayed on the graffiti of the city walls. 

Larry Hama was in the Navy during the Vietnam War. After a short one-year stay in Hollywood trying his hands at acting, Hama returned to New York City, becoming very active in the Asian community there. Seeing the effects that urban decay, gangs and drugs were having on the city's Asian community among others, it influenced Hama to focus on the social inequalities and sense of hopelessness the poorest parts of the five boroughs were experiencing in the mid- 1980s.

After the graphic novel, the Wolfpack returned in a 12-issue maxi-series where they continued to fight against the Nine. While Ron Wilson penciled the entire series, Larry Hama had to depart midway due to scheduling conflicts with his other regular series. John Figueroa took over as Wolfpack scribe for Hama.

Aside from a couple of appearances of solo members of the Wolfpack in the pages of Marvel Comics Presents, the gang of do-gooders really haven't had a large presence in the Marvel Universe. Slippery Sam lost his life at the hands of a stalker type villain. Wheels left in his own sometime later, eventually joining the Underground resistance during the Secret Empire storyline. That leaves Rafael, Slag and Sharon to defend the South Bronx from drug dealers and violent gangs. The trio of remaining Wolfpack members appear to have last been seen during the first Marvel Civil War, in which they were branded as sympathetic to the Superhuman Registration Act.

Completing this review completes Task #30 (Written by an Asian Author) of the 2024 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Alien Nation Movie Special (2024 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

In the year 1988, a space ship lands in the American Mojave Desert. The ship contains 300,000 inhabitants in suspended animation. These residents were slaves en route to their slavers home world but the guidance system malfunctioned, taking them into our solar system.

3 years later, these 'newcomers' have been granted refugee status. Many have settled into the Los Angeles area. Some found employment in the police force. Thanks to a government mandate, one of the newcomers is to be promoted to be the LAPD's first detective. Earthling Matthew Sykes volunteers to be Detective Francisco's new partner, after his partner was murdered in a shootout during a newcomer robbery.

Sykes has been ordered to not investigate his former partner's murder. Instead, He and Francisco follow the lead of an anomaly found on the body of one of the robbers. As some of the newcomer suspects in the case wind up dead, the detectives uncover a drug ring targeted at newcomers. Based on an opioid used to make the newcomer slaves more docile and subservient, Francisco knows a secret about it's overuse that could threaten the uneasy peace between humans and aliens. Working against orders, Sykes and Francisco rush to locate the new drug and destroy it before the drug can reach the newcomer market.

Alien Nation was a live-action sci-fi film produced by 20th Century Fox. James Caan starred as Detective Sykes. Mandy Patinkin portrayed newcomer Detective Sam Francisco, later named 'George' by Sykes. The film, an allegory for race relations and immigration, was directed by English director Graham Baker. 

DC Comics released a full-color adaption of the film. Martin Pasko adapted the screenplay crafted by Rockne S. O'Bannon, who would go on to create fan favorite series such as Seaquest DSV and Farscape. Pencils were by Jerry Bingham. The 55-pager bears images that look nothing like the stars, probably due to licensing reasons. The comic bears some gun violence and mild drug use. However, it's nowhere near as in-your-face as the scenes from the R-rated feature.

Alien Nation was a moderate hit that grew a cult following. In 1989, Fox aired a TV series based on the motion picture. Though one of the fledgling networks few early successes, production of the series was high and advertising dollars sparse. Despite ending the 22 episode first season on a cliffhanger, the show was cancelled. 

From 1990-92, Malibu Comics released several 4-issue minis based on the film, under their Adventure Comics imprint. Around the same time, Pocket Books released over a dozen tie-in novels. Thanks to those books, as well as a letter writing campaign through TV Guide, enough interest was garnered for 5 TV movies; the first of which resolved the cliffhanger of the newcomer's controllers returning for their escaped slaves whom have enjoyed several years of freedom on Earth.

Completing this review completes Task #5 (A sci-fi movie adaptation) of the 2024 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Willow #1-3 (2023 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

During the 1982 filming of Return of the Jedi, in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, a young child actor is making a giant impression. Warwick Davis, a British actor with dwarfism, is playing a tiny version of a Wookiee called a Ewok. In his first ever role as Wicket, Davis is showing such professionalism and passion for acting that Star Wars creator George Lucas promises the lad to create a movie for the newcomer to star in. 

Jump to 1987 and George Lucas kept his word. Working on an idea he first developed in 1972 originally called Munchkins, Lucas created the story of Willow. Set in an unnamed mystical world, Willow Ufgood is a struggling farmer and amateur magician with aspirations at becoming chief sorcerer of his race of little people called Nelwyns. 

One day, Willow's children find a baby girl floating on a makeshift cradle in the nearby river. The infant is a Daikini, the name of full-size humans who share the land with the Nelwyns. Tasked by his people to deliver the child to the first Daikini he sees, Willow begins an epic quest that promises to restore freedom to all of the people of the land.

The Daikini child is in reality Elora Danan, an infant princess who has been prophesied to one day overthrow the evil ruler of the land of Nockmaar, Queen Bavmorda. In order to stop Bavmorda, who wishes to sacrifice Elora Danan in a demonic ritual, Willow must find the aged sorceress Fin Raziel. Which Willow does. Unfortunately, Fin Raziel has been rendered powerless as Bavmorda changed her into a possum. All seems lost, unless the aspiring Nelwyn sorcerer can restore her back into human form. 

Aiding Willow in his quest is the mercenary Madmartigan; a mercenary of questionable character but unsurpassed swordsmanship. A pair of brownie warriors named Rool and Fanjean, whose diminutive sizes make Willow look like a Colossus in comparison add comic relief and some assistance as tiny combatants. Adding to the adventure is the warrior princess Sorsha, daughter of Queen Bavmorda, whom Madmartigan becomes enamored with and just might have a shot with, if she doesn't kill him and the infant first!

Willow was directed by Ron Howard. A protege of George Lucas, Howard starred in the Lucas' 1973 homage to the early 1960s, American Graffiti. With a script by first time movie screenwriter Bob Dolman, Lucas had hoped that Willow would be on par with E.T. as the new all-time money maker at the box office. While the film was a moderate hit, mostly bolstered by international movie sales, Willow face stiff competition against a 1988 American film slate included colossal blockbusters such as Big and Rambo III.

Willow went on to become a kind of cult classic. In the early 90s, George Lucas tasked X-Men's Chris Claremont to pen the Chronicles of the Shadow War trilogy. Set 15 years after the first film, a teenaged Elora Danan is the central character. Last year, an 8-episode sequel starring Warwick Davis aired on Disney+. Also titled Willow, conflicting reports list the series as cancelled after one season or in indefinite hiatus. 

As part of Lucasfilm and MGM's original marketing campaign, a number of tie-in products were issued. TOR issued a 6-player board game as well as a RPG source book. Tonka's 'action figures' were in reality die-cast figurines much like tin soldiers and lacked vital points of articulation. 

In the realm of comics, Marvel was tasked with a 3-issue adaptation. Star Wars' Jo Duffy penned the script. Artwork was by Bob Hall (Super-Villain Team-Up) with assists and inks by Romeo Tanghal (The New Teen Titans). The miniseries was later collected in 2 formats: as a tabloid sized Marvel Graphic Novel and in as an illustrated edition much like a trade paperback.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Completing this review completes Task #5 (A Movie Adaptation) of the 2023 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Archie Giant Series #579

I had every intention of reading a Thanksgiving themed book for day 7. But if wasn't meant to be. The book I was to read winded up having a major printing error. The first 2-3 pages were missing which also meant that the last 2-3 pages were gone too! 

This kind of thing is a common error. And it's infuriating when you find out that a prized piece of your collection is anything but complete. 

Since I didn't want to throw off my schedule, I didn't read a Thanksgiving book last night. Instead, I am going to review a Christmas book that I read last year but didn't get to reviewing during the holiday season. 

This giant sized Archie from 1988 is full of holiday cheer. That pesky elf Jingles starts off the fun with another trip to Riverdale. Then Archie and Jughead gift their teachers with a free snow shoveling of their driveways. Then Veronica and Betty help a store Santa who gets wrongly fired by staging a boycott of the department store. Finally Archie and his parents butt heads when the fiery redhead teen decides he'd rather spend Christmas with Veronica and Mr. Lodge. It's a case of Christmas growing pains for sure.

This issue was jammed packed with Christmas goodies. Even the Sabrina one-pager seemed to be holiday based. Or maybe it wasn't originally but the artists decided at the last minute to add a Christmas tree in the background. I appreciate every effort to make the whole book Christmas themed. That's a level of devotion to detail and the holiday spirit intended that I miss in a lot of so-called holiday themed comics. 

I look forward to new Archie holiday specials every Halloween and Christmas. Why Archie Comics doesn't publish a Thanksgiving book is beyond me. I'd surely buy it! 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars. 

Marvel Comics Presents #6

If you've ever wondered how Wolverine came to utilize the Patch persona, this story set in Madripoor is the origin story you've been looking for. Having read some of Logan's exploits as his alter ego, it's really cool putting those pieces together with this storyline.

Speaking of alter-egos- the one-and-done fourth story involves the Incredible Hulk as that Vegas tough, Mr. Fixit. I've really wanted to read some of this era of Hulk lore. This story involving a version of the Hulk completely unknown to me was a pleasant surprise. 

The Man-Thing story is still very odd and yet really good. 

The Master of Kung-Fu story is still a bit of a chore to read. But! The cliffhanger has peaked my interest. So hopefully the forthcoming penultimate chapter will not disappoint! Fingers crossed but expectations are low.

Killer wraparound cover utilizing the biological abilities of Man-Thing!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #5

Thanks to an energy vampire, Wolverine is in some of the worst shape I have ever seen the mutant in this side of the live action Logan film.

With Man-Thing, things are getting even more weirder with this cult of Satan worshipers who have accepted the muck monster as a demonic answer to their prayers. Still not sure what they've got to do with selling weapons to fund rebels in South America. But I just can't put these 8 pages down!

I hate, Hate, HATE the Master of Kung-Fu story. An old frienemy of Shang-Chi's has joined forces in hopes of rescuing an old flame. But the kidnapper's overall objective, which involves selling drugs to fund rebels in South America is just too freakin' similar to the Man-Thing story. Why didn't the editors wait on this story until after the Man-Thing saga wraps up?

Lastly, in the 8-page closer, Daredevil comes across a teenager, mangled to a pulp, in an alley. The boy claims that someone is trying to kill him. The Man Without Fear persuades the lad to seek out Matt Murdock for help from the tormentor. But who the lawyer discovers is behind the stalking will shock everyone- including this reader!

Three very solid stories. And then there's the Master of Kung-Fu. Such a disappointment. Especially, considering how much I was looking forward to this tale. But I push on...

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #4

Al Milgrom's Fear Eater saga concludes in this issue. After facing the Silver Surfer, Steve Rogers and the ever lovin' blue-eyed Thing, the parasite decides to feast on Thor, The God of Thunder!  point of near-starvation, the Fear Eater must succeed, least he waste away to nothing.

The Fear Eater sidelines the Asgardian with a mild malady while summoning up the foretold Ragnarok. Unable to join his warrior brothers, Thor despairs. It looks like the Fear Eater is finding going to munch on a Marvel Super Hero!

The stories starring Wolverine, The Master of Kung-Fu and Man-Thing continue. All of them are rather good. Logan gets the literal crap slapped out of him with a foe called Razorfist. 

The Shang-Chi story starts to finally build up steam. But with the motive of that stories baddie being tied in with Iran-Contra just as the Man-Thing story, it just seems to me that the editors should have spread things out a little bit. It makes for what is supposed to be a fresh collection of anthology tales feeling a little bit stale. 

And once again- where in the frick is Man-Thing? Never before have I experienced a story where the main character is such a non-entity. Good thing that the 'supporting cast' is so interesting. But, Geez...

Oh- and that twist ending to the Fear Eater story! CLASSIC!!!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #2

In the second issue of Marvel Comics Presents, Wolverine survives his first taste of the Madripoor nightlife only to come face-to-face with an old friend. Then in the political saga involving the Man-Thing, we get lots of conspiracy and intrigue but very little-to-no Man-Thing. Shang-Chi, the Master of Kung-Fu, is reunited with a lost love. But things appear complicated with a new mystery man added to the reunite clandestine team's line-up. The fact that the paramour gets kidnapped by thugs doesn't help thing either. 

Lastly, in the lone stand alone story, Al Milgrom brings back the Fear Eater. On the menu today is The Captain. Not Captain America. Just The Captain. But it's still Steve Rogers and with the former World War II non-com comes the baggage of the death of sidekick Bucky Barnes. It's that sort of grief that makes for some tasty vittles for the Fear Eater!

A good second issue. No sophomore slump here. The Wolverine story is that sort of gritty B-movie action flick stuff you'd expect from the late 80s. But it's intriguing. The Shang-Chi story has the titillating edge found with adventure flicks filled with femme fatales. And Al Milgrom's Fear Eater stories are great.

I just can't put my finger on the Man-Thing story. Why is he even in this thing? It's a good story. But with Man-Thing maybe appearing in one or two panels- what's the point of having him in this tale? I think people would have read this minus a main Marvel character's inclusion. But what do I know? I've only been reading comic books my whole life...

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Power Girl #4

This miniseries comics to a thankful close. Power Girl confronts the 'weaver' on his turf of a dying realm of magic. Aiding her in this quest is a mischievous little imp called Ghy. I don't know if we ever see this character ever again. But from what issues of various Justice League titles featuring Power Girl that I've read, I don't think so. But he was such a great character.

Our mysterious 'stranger' returns to mostly observe. Power Girl asks why don't he help her and he claims it's only his job to observe. Since when did our mystery character become a member of Marvel's Watchers? 

Another inconsistency I noticed right off the bat is that Power Girl refers to herself throughout this issue as Kara. But in the 3 previous issues, she's Karen. Not only that but everyone else in this final issue now calls her Kara, which was Power Girl's name before the Altantis origin reboot. So why the sudden return to Kara? 

The story ends with a nice, cheerful ending. It's a little too clean of an ending. Besides Spider-Man, Power Girl is one of the most dumped on characters in comic book history. So for everything to come up roses in such a 30 minutes or less sitcom fashion is rather unfashionable for her. 

Issue #4 did not disappoint. Disappoint in being as bad as the majority of the issues in this miniseries. I came into this chapter expecting nothing and with the exception of this single one-and-apparently-done character, there was very little to enjoy. 

Even the art, which to this point had been phenomenal, was a big letdown. It's like the artist, Rick Hoberg, kinda realized that this mini was a stinker and just gave up trying. 

Not one of DC's finest moments. 

Not Worth Consuming!

Rating: 2 out of 10 stars.

Power Girl #3

Power Girl finally decides to stop bar hopping and get to the matter of just who is behind all of these villains trying to kill her. 

Her quest will put her in touch with other Atlanteans once thought dead, former worshipers of Arion and perhaps a mysterious stranger. One character that would have made a great addition to this chapter  that explores Power Girl's origins would have been Aquaman. But I understand that DC probably wanted to keep such a big name away in order to not detract from this storyline. I think that's why there's been no Superman. But believe me folks, a major guest star is a needed shot in the arm. 

The 'stranger' cameo was a good touch. But he wasn't there long enough to move the story along. 

Plus, I loved this scene where Karen goes to an antique book store and asks for a book on Atlantean magic. The shop keepers response was classic. He gives her the book for free as long as she promises to not read any of the spells anywhere near him or his bookshop. 

Issue #3 got a little better. It's building up for the climatic final chapter which couldn't come quick enough for me. You know, with the still exceptional artwork by Rick Hoberg and the great Giordano cover, this book is actually worth reading. But just barely!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars. 

Power Girl #2

An assortment of villains based on the elements of the earth has been attacking Power Girl. Kara knows that these assaults are clearly not coincidence. So what does she do? Why, go out for drinks with her girlfriends at a local singles bar! 

This isn't the sort of thing Blue Beetle or Booster Gold, stars of two similar series of the time period, would be doing. For mid-1980s DC, the dialogue for all three examples were bad. But you didn't have the guys going for drinks and discussing their feelings. 

Yeah, there's some sexism showing. As a big fan of Supergirl (to which Power Girl is a version of the character), I am quite disappointed. I obtained all 4 issues of this miniseries for free on Facebook. I was really looking forward to this thinking is was going to be full of action and adventure. Instead, this miniseries has turned into a precursor to Sex and the City only without the breasts of Kim Cattrall. It's been such a disappointment. 

Uh, the lack of action not breasts I mean.

I should be thankful. I didn't spend any money on it. And the Rick Hoberg art still has been amazing. But this issue has gotten worse because of the coloring. 

There's a detective whose helping Power Girl figure out who these villains are. Last issue he looked liked an African American male. In this issue, his skin tone is much lighter and his hair is now sky blue. Maybe in 1988 this print error wasn't as noticeable as about a month or so amount of time passed into between the release of issues 1 and 2. I went from finishing issue #1 to starting up the second issue in like 30 seconds flat. So I noticed...

Not Worth Consuming!

Rating: 3 out of 10 stars.

Power Girl #1

It's Post-Crisis and DC has just 'cleared up' Power Girl's troublesome origin in the pages of Secret Origins. Kara's memories of Krypton are actually fake. Power Girl is really from Atlantis before it sunk into the sea. Turns out Power Girl is more related to Aquaman than her 'cousin' Superman! 

To keep Kara safe from powers wishing her harm, grandfather Arion, Lord of Atlantis, implanted the erroneous memories into her brain and sent her into the far off future of 1988. Now that Power Girl know the truth, she's opened herself up to those attacks! First up is an all-new villain named Force. 

No, he's not a rabid Star Wars fan. He's a puppet of a shadowy character banished to a dying realm by Arion. This 'weaver' wants revenge on Arion. But since the ancient wizard is long dead, the death wish falls on Kara now.

Meanwhile, we get a lengthy glimpse into the civilian life of Kara who goes by Karen now. By day, Karen is the owner of start-up tech company under pressure by investors to switch over from office development software to video games. By night, Karen and her friends are hopelessly single, but more than ready to mingle. 

This was a major problem for DC books after the Crisis. They tried too much to be a soap opera and less like a superhero comics. It's a 22 page book and maybe 4 pages is devoted to heroics. Action Comics' Paul Kupperberg pens this tale. I'm usually a big fan of his work. But this first chapter was tough to read. That dialogue was awful. I'm talking B-movie bad. It's comical but sadly not in a funny way. 

The art however is absolutely amazing. First is a beautiful cover by Dick Giordano and Kerry Gamill. Interiors are by Rick Hoberg. The All-Star Squadron artist has past experience with Power Girl and Hoberg does an amazing job here. Except for the hair. It's not long and flowy as Power Girl/Supergirl is known to don. It's rather un-Power Girl like. Too 80s for my taste.

A very visually appealing story but the plot itself needs work.

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.

The Prisoner: Shattered Visage, Book D

Dean Motter and Mark Askwith's amazing miniseries based on the pop culture hit, The Prisoner comes to an exciting and explosive end. 

This was the finale to the series I wanted. I felt like this gives the ending that was sorely missed from the 1968 BBC series. That final was so open ended, which was fine. Had The Prisoner ended more finitely, it might not have been such a classic.

Now it's 2018 and the 50th anniversary of The Prisoner is upon us. A new series is coming to press later this spring. I can't wait for it. I think it's going to be epic.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

The Prisoner: Shattered Visage, Book C

This issue seems rather unnecessary. Not really revealing anything nor doing anything of significance, Book C mostly just moves the players into the right places for the climatic final issue (which is next.)

Okay, I will admit, that ending was important to the overall story. But that was it. 

Thankfully, this is a beautifully written and illustrated issue. Another triumph in that regard by Dean Motter with Mark Askwith. But really, in retrospect, this series could have done with just 3 issues instead of 4.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars. 

The Prisoner: Shattered Visage, Book B

Former secret agent Alice Drake has just spent her first night in the abandoned Village. Only for an abandoned village, there seems to be quite a few occupants here. 

I think it's extremely fitting that they writers named this new character Alice for she's a lot like another girl named Alice who went to Wonderland and peered through the looking glass. 

Our Alice is confronted by two very strange characters. The portly and grotesque Number 2 who is a lot like the Red Queen wanting to kill his old adversary Number 6. Speaking of which, Number 6 is a lot like the Mad Hatter now. Years of torture, abuse and loneliness have twisted Number 6's mind to be just like the tea party host. There's little bits of genius still floating around in that old noggin of his. You just have to weed through the insanity to find it.

Dean Motter's artwork hasn't ceased to amaze me. It's a visually stunning masterpiece that I think is quite under-appreciated. 

In terms of the much maligned story- it's not bothered me either. Though, I must sheepishly admit, I had to take a little refresher course on remembering just who this version of Number 2 was. 

Don't bash me. If anything, this lapse in memory just calls for me to re-watch the entire series again. Is that so bad?

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars. 

The Prisoner: Shattered Visage, Book A

2018 is the 50 year anniversary of the British cult classic, The Prisoner. Titan Comics is issuing a new miniseries in honor of the anniversary and I have already reserved my copies at my local comic book shop!

But before I get the first issue, I wanted to read this miniseries from 1988. Published by DC Comics, this miniseries was released as part of the show's 30th anniversary.

It follows a retired secret agent named Alice Drake who has decided to become an adventurer sailing the world. Her estranged husband is also an operative and wants her to come back into the fold.

Meanwhile, one of the former residents of the Village has just released a tell-all book about the Village. Yes, it's been heavily redacted and the Village project has been long retired  but the author is no other than Number 2. The same that went head-to-head with our hero Number 6 meet with disastrous consequences. But with Number 6 never being accounted for during the evacuation of the Village, Number 2 has become a loose cannon that could bring the entire spy community down to it's very knees!

It's all leading up to a collision course between Alice and the legend of the Village…

Book A was a good opening chapter. I have heard that when this miniseries was published, fans felt that this story revised most of the final episode of the series. But I'm okay with this as that final episode was also left up to the interpretation of the viewer.

The writing team of Dean Motter and Mark Askwith have in my opinion done a good job on the story thus far. But I am really in love with the artwork by Motter. From the first page, I was visually stunned! It's beautiful! And it bears that funky psychedelic style of the TV show. I can't wait for Book B!

Book B! I love it! There's no numbering in this series! It's just like Number 6! ‘I am not a number!’

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

A Classic TV Christmas- Advent 2017 Day 24

It's Christmas Eve! Time for some last minute travels in hopes of making it in time for Christmas. But what if you get snowed in at the airport? What do you do then? 

Do you scavenge the vending machines for a Christmas dinner made of potato chips and candy bars? Do you decorate that potted plant next to the ticket counter with old tickets and barf bags? Do you use the luggage return as your own personal bedding?

Well that's exactly what happened to the Tanners from Full House. In the December 16, 1988 episode titled Our Very First Christmas Episode, the family and co-worker Rebecca are flying East to visit various relatives. Middle child Stephanie is scared to death that Santa doesn't know where to find them and once it becomes evident that they all have to spend the night at the airport, everyone along with Stef are convinced that Christmas is ruined. Of course, they all manage to make it work and Santa performs a little miracle or two in order to make it the best Christmas ever!

Personally, this is like my fantasy Christmas Eve. I so very want to have to spend a night at the airport. It's like a weird dream of mine, I know. But I just love the whole idea and believe me, I think I would have some crazy fun! Plus, unlimited time to read! Man, it's a win-win!

I really thought that this episode took place later than season 2 of the show. But it is a episode that takes place on Christmas Eve and I really like it. So, here's the episode, in yet another odd format and in 2 parts. Enjoy and until tomorrow, Merry Christmas!

A Classic TV Christmas- Advent 2017 Day 10

Yesterday's visit to the LAPD had an early appearance by Barry Williams in Dragnet. That got me thinking about another show that starred the young actor and took place in California. That show is The Brady Bunch. 

In the episode titled The Voice of Christmas from December 19, 1969, the Bradys are getting ready for Christmas. Mom Brady, Carol, sings every year during church services. But that's not looking possible this year as Mrs. Brady has laryngitis. Desperately wanting her mom to be able to sing, little Cindy asks Santa to bring her mother's voice back. It's a down to the wire Christmas miracle as right before services, Carol regains the ability to sing and regales the congregation with a rendition of O Come all Ye Faithful. 

As Christmas episodes go, this is the standard holiday schlock. It's sappy. It's predictable. And it's medically unlikely to ever occur. Sure, Mrs. Brady could get her voice back in time for Christmas. But in no way would it be wise for someone just coming off laryngitis to sing in full commanding voice without doing further damage.

You call it a Christmas miracle. I call it implausible screenwriting.

The main reason I am covering this episode today isn't because of what happened in 1969 but what would later happen in 1988 for the TV reunion movie A  Very Brady Christmas. 

In that holiday special, the Mr. and Mrs. Brady are planning on going on a trip for Christmas. Since all the kids are grown and have families of their own, there's no point staying in such a big house for the holidays. But just as the Bradys are getting ready to leave- the whole family surprises mom and dad! Things are rocky with a crowded house of kids, grand kids and spouses but by Christmas day everyone is all cheery and happy. That is until Mike gets a fateful phone call. 

It turns out one of the businesses he designed was made with shoddy materials to cut costs. As a result two security guards are trapped in the collapsed remains. Being the building's architect, Mike has the the plans in his home office and runs to the site. There, he runs in to save the guards and gets trapped in the process.

Over the night, the family holds a vigil. Cindy reminds Carol in flashbacks of the Christmas miracle in which she got her voice back and Mrs. Brady begins to sing. Inspired, Mike in a Herculean bout of strength frees himself before the building comes crashing down. Thus it's the best Brady Christmas ever!!!

I don't know what was more ridiculous- the fact the actress playing Cindy in the special was not the same actress from the original series flashbacks or the fact that Mrs. Brady's singing gives Mr. Brady super powers like spinach does to Popeye. 

Since this whole day has in some way dealt with Bradys and singing, my Advent present for you today is a selection of holiday songs from the 1970 album Christmas with the Bradys. Enjoy and until next time- Merry Christmas!

Doom Patrol and Suicide Squad Special

   When the superhero Hawk (of the duo Hawk & Dove) is caught running guns to the Contras by the Sandinistas in Nicaragua, Amanda Waller is ordered by the President to assemble a Suicide Squad. Hoping to show up Waller and her elite program, high-ups from Central Intelligence formulate their own plan and manipulate the Doom Patrol to conduct their own rescue mission. 

    Like with all team-up stories, both groups will see the other as a threat and the fur will literally fly. But, when the two teams look like they are ready to rip each other's throats out, a new player unexpectedly enters the arena- the Soviet backed elite of armored warriors: the Rocket Red Brigade!

     This 1988 special was an interesting mix of real life meets sci-fi/ fantasy. With appearances of both Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev and the Doom Patrol and Suicide Squad involved in the Iran-Contra mishap- this is kinda how I wish history really went down for the 40th President of the United States. Or maybe the folks at DC got a little too political for this one...

     Other than Colonel Flag and Amanda Waller, this line-up is unlike any version of Suicide Squad that I have ever come across. With a team-up of C-listers that I have never heard of including the Thinker, Mister 104, and the Weasel, this is a pretty weak group of villains. But according to the afterword, DC would only allow unpopular and expendable characters for the mission to Nicaragua. 

     And don't get me started on the Doom Patrol line-up. Who are these people? Other than Robotman, honestly, who the heck are they?

     One plus to this special is the team of writers and artists involved. This book features one of the first published works by Eric Larsen of Savage Dragon fame. It's also co-written by one of my good Facebook (and semi-professional) buddies Paul Kupperberg. So despite my misgivings with the line-ups of both super teams, this is an epic book that I would say often gets swept under the rug due to a lack of superstar superheroes! 

     Often found in bargain bins nation-wide, this is an affordable Suicide Squad one-shot that could be the gem in your collection.
     
   Worth Consuming.

   Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.