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.

Crypt of Shadows #1 (2024)

This is the third Halloween annual from Marvel based on the short-lived horror anthology from the 70s. Only this time the Crypt of Shadows, Vol. 3 issue #1 doesn't take place in the Crypt of Shadows. Nor is the anthology hosted by Doctor Strange's deranged brother Victor. This time around, Agatha Harkness, sitting in her intergalactic residence on the planet Amanna, is our hostess and she's spying on several characters of the Marvel Universe.

First up is Agatha's former pupil, the Scarlet Witch. When a magic door appears in her kitchen, Wanda Maximoff finds herself lured into a trap. An innocent nibble on the back of the Man-Thing unleashes a plague into the murky domain of the Sub-Mariner. Finally, the Werewolf by Night, Jack Russell finds himself the latest prey at the hands of Kraven the Hunter. Thankfully old friend, Blade is on hand to make it a fair fight.

First of all, that regular cover. How I wouldn't line up at my favorite LCS to pre-order a supernatural themed title with that lineup. Having Scarlet Witch, Vision, Prince Namor, the Man-Thing, Werewolf by Night, Blade and Kraven the Hunter on the same team fighting some kind of magical threat? I'd be all over that series in a heartbeat.

The stories were pretty good. I didn't exactly like that the Scarlet Witch story was a lead up to upcoming events in the pages of her solo book. I understand that specials like these are paid for advertising for fledgling titles. At least it wasn't a cliffhanger that requires me to buy her book.

I also don't quite understand the changes with the host. There wasn't anything wrong with having Victor Strange as the host. Plus if you're going to call it the Crypt of Shadows, then it should at least take place in the Crypt of Shadows.

I do know that some of the changes were done to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. For decades, Agatha Harkness has been either this ancient spindly old crone or dead. With a younger Harkness appearing in WandaVision, Marvel has once again changed the looks of a comic book character to reflect the live action version. I'm not too upset with that. Plus with the character's new Disney+ series Agatha All Along debuting now, I understand that Marvel Comics wants to cash in on that connection and is using their Halloween annual book to do it. I don't like it. But I understand the reasoning behind changing a great formula. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #146

Issue #146 marks the last of the 'Siege of Darkness' devoted issues. 

You really get the sense that these 4 segments are designed mostly to tie up the loose ends. Though there are some notable occurrences peppered throughout.

In the Doctor Strange segment, the demoness Salome makes her first appearance. A minor character that has yet to appear in any movie or TV show as far as I can tell. This debut probably does very little to move the issue value needle. But that could change.

Readers are re-introduced to the Nightstalkers. A trio of ghoul hunters composed of Blade, Hannibal King and Frank Drake; these guys really hate each other. The Children of the Night might have a legitimate chance if the Nightstalkers decide to finish each other off first!

The Devil-Slayer, Eric Payne, is finally given a chance to redeem himself. After years of battling booze, demons and skeptics, the troubled hero finally comes out on top. 

Lastly, continuing from last issue's Ghost Rider story, Danny Ketch attempts to move Heaven and Earth to safe a friend and ally from a deadly Lilin attack.

Speaking of that Ghost Rider story, this is Ketch's swan song in the pages of MCP. At least as a main feature. Wolverine stepped down several issues ago and next issue, Vengeance, that much more hard core version of Ghost Rider will take over for a little while.

Lastly, I want to talk about the cover. As you may recall, MCP has flip covers. The Blaze cover was far more superior than the Doctor Strange image I chose. I don't know why, but I just like the one with the Sorcerer Supreme more for some reason.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #145

It's another round of 'Siege of Darkness' stories in this issue. 

Morbius, the Living Vampire comes face-to-face with the half-Vampire vampire hunter, Hannibal King. It's not Morbius whom King is after. It's a young Lilin child that Morbius feels should not be held accountable for the sins of the father or mother Lilith in this case.

A blast from Doctor Strange's past returns in the midst of this crisis. She's being haunted by her own demons. However, when she learns who her truth father is, things suddenly fall into place.

Danny Ketch is back at one of his favorite haunts, the Cypress Hills Cemetery, where an ally of the Midnight Sons is being held captive by a faction of Lilin.

Finally, Blade makes contact with an ally from his Dracula hunting days. Unfortunately, the guys buried under a ton of rubble and time and air is running out.

All 4 of these stories were good tie-in segments to the 'Siege of Darkness' crossover event. But if you were to read all of the main titles and glossed over this issue, I really don't think you'd miss anything. Of the 3 tie-in issues of MCP (thus far), this is perhaps the issue that most captures the origin anthology spirit this title intended. But geez- that flip cover of Morbius by Steve Lightle and Fred Harper. Man, what a mess. That's why I went with the Ghost Rider cover instead to represent this issue.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #144

Another issue, another round of 'Siege of Darkness' segments. 

The main feature has most of the main players of the story line. Since the enemy, Lilith, is also the fabled mother of vampires, the group known as Midnight Sons are distrustful of one of their allies, Morbius, the Living Vampire! The Midnight Sons are saying that their distrust is due to the revelation in the last issue of a traitor in their midst. But I call BS. 

Blade is part vampire. Yet, his allies haven't turned against him. In a social relevance twist that could only be dreamed up by Marvel, the prejudice is against Morbius because he looks like a vampire! The racism Blade experiences along with the recoil people have against one who looks like Morbius bleeds over into a second segment starring the two.

Meanwhile, Scarlet Witch is still battling a demon within the computer cyber realm that I imagine would one day be called the Internet. And at a school play, the Werewolf by Night, Jack Russell has tracked a group of Lilin. They seek to kill the parents and teachers in attendance while Russell is out for blood. The action unfolds on stage to the awed crowd. This is the best Halloween pageant ever!

Last issue, I thought all of the stories were pretty extraneous to the cross-title plotline. I do not feel that way here. Those first two segments involving Morbius and the traitor are some important pieces of information that readers of regular titles like Doctor Strange and Ghost Rider might be missing out on if they don't read this bi-weekly (or has it gone monthly now?) anthology title. 

As for the extra entries, I don't really see the point of the inclusion of the Scarlet Witch. I've heard of ghosts in the machine but not demons. However, the Werewolf By Night story was sheer gory delight. It didn't move the Midnight Sons story along. But it was magnificent in such a marvelously morbid way.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Decades: Marvel in the 70s- Legion of Monsters

Many collections of classic Marvel materials are omnibuses that capture a complete run of stories starring a certain character or a specific genre. That's not the case with Marvel's Decades books. They are instead snapshots of the time period. In this case, the coming of Marvel horror. 

Sometimes the stories featured are well-known legends, like that of Johnny Blaze and his deal with the devil that curses him to become the Ghost Rider. 

Other episodes are rarities, like the coming of an alien creature called the Manphibian, a gill-man arch-type who is on the hunt for the killer of his lover. 

Then there's those established characters who see new life in the pages of horror anthologies. Frankenstein's Monster and Count Dracula continue to roam the night looking for victims, sometimes running afoul of Marvel superstars such as Morbius, the living Vampire and the hybrid vampire hunter, Blade.

Several of Marvel's rarest horror mags are reprinted in this collection along with some great issues of Marvel's one-shot series Marvel Spot-Light and Marvel Premiere. As a fan of several comic book and horror fan groups on Facebook, I am aware of the Legion of Monsters popularity with horror comic fans. What I was not aware of was how much poor faith the House of Ideas had in the title. It only lasted 1 issue with 2 classic but ill-fated attempts to revive the idea. Legion of Monsters may not have been on store shelves for long, but with collectors such as me, they last forever in our hearts. 

A collection such as this is such a mixed-bag. There's some classics and there are some stinkers. But what I love so much about this series is how it's both a grab bag and time capsule. Maybe a little bit more commentary would have been appreciated. But I quite enjoyed it warts and all.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Firsts: The 1990s, Volume 2

The 1990s was a touch and go time for Marvel. Believe it or not, the House of Ideas almost went belly up. It filed for bankruptcy and actually needed DC's help to bail it out. So for all of you who hate DC, just remember if not for the owners of Superman and Batman, who knows if Marvel would still be in existence???

Anyways, there was just as many terrible ideas and stories coming out of Marvel as there were successes. For every Venom or Web of Spider-Man there was The Nightstalkers or Beowulf. X-Men titles dominated but there were so many different X-series, the market was really over-saturated. Yet Cable, Gambit and Generation X managed to overcome the glut of mutant related titles to give the Uncanny X-Men a run for their money. 

There were a few glimmers of hope during the 90s. Iron Man got a chance to be a legitimate team leader with Force Works. Blade got his own solo title right before Wesley Snipes made him a household name. And though not as funny or self-deprecating as he was now, Deadpool was given an early chance to shine thanks to Fabian Nicieza, Wade Wilson's lesser known co-creator. 

Some of these stories were first appearances. Some were first issues of already established characters. And a few were of either completely or partially brand-new teams of heroes or even villains. It was a wild time for Marvel and this edition captures a large chunk of some of the more bizarre works from the Bullpen.

This isn't exactly my favorite time period of not just Marvel but comics in general. Yet, I want the other volume in the series. And for historical (and money saving) purposes, I plan on keeping this volume even if it's wasn't the greatest read of all-time.

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.