Thunder Bunny #1 (2025 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

Martin L. Greim's Thunder Bunny first debuted in  1977. For almost a decade, Greim had self-published one of the first fanzines devoted to comic books. The 17 issues of Comic Crusader were heralded by comic collectors and creators alike. In 1977, Greim published a massive 150 page plus archive of original artwork that had appeared in the pages of Comic Crusader called Comic Crusader Storybook. New stories were also crafted just for this edition such as a Mister A. adventure by Steve Ditko and the origin of Thunder Bunny titled 'The Sound of Thunder', written by Greim with art and inks by Gene Day and Jerry Ordway. The character was inspired by the Golden Age funny animal superhero Atomic Mouse and Greim's love of Captain Marvel, of which he boasted a large collection of SHAZAM memorabilia. Thunder Bunny was also given the team-up treatment in a back cover pin-up with the Silver Surfer by Joe Sinnott.

Afterwards, Greim ceased publication of Comic Crusader. It appeared for a while that his dream of working and thriving in the comic book industry had come to a close. Then in 1981, Greim was invited by Charlton Comics to present his Thunder Bunny origin story to a mainstream audience. ' The Sound of Thunder' appeared in the 6th issue Charlton Bullseye; an anthology try-out series with a March, 1982 publication date. The character would appear again in issue #10 with Greim working on a second follow up.  Unfortunately, low sales resulted in the cancellation of Charlton Bullseye, leaving Thunder Bunny without a home once more. But not for long.

In 1984, Greim was invited to bring Thunder Bunny to Archie Comics. The idea was for the character to join the Crusaders superhero team revival happening under the Red Circle imprint. The first issue was to introduce the character to new readers. Instead of reusing the origin story for a third time, Greim re-wrote the script with new artwork by Brian Buniak.

Thunder Bunny is the greatest hero of a long-dead planet of anthropomorphic animals. Before their civilization died, it was decided that they would channel Thunder Bunny's energy into a special battery. Once placed inside a spaceship, the battery would travel from planet to planet giving a portion of the hero's super powers to a single citizen before flying off to another world.

The earthling deemed worthy of empowerment was young Bobby Caswell. A mental image of Thunder Bunny was placed in Bobby's mind. Every time the boy visualized the hero while clapping his hands together, thunder would peal, transforming Bobby into a large pink bunny in a crimson and white suit complete with cape. 

The shock of the transformation is also the greatest downfall for Bobby. In order to become human again, Bobby must visualize himself as human while slapping his hands together once more. However, the more Bobby remains in his rabbit form, he forgets what Bobby Caswell looked like; potentially trapping himself as Thunder Bunny indefinitely.

The first Red Circle issue featured a backup Thunder Bunny tale. Riffing off of the cancelled story that would have appeared in a future issue of Charlton Bullseye, Greim and Buniak send Bobby and a friend to a comic book convention where a group of costumes thugs are planning to steal a rare comic book up for auction. Summoning Thunder Bunny, Bobby must save a convention hall filled with comic book legends such as Jack Kirby and Neal Adams.

Though it's billed as the first of a new series, Red Circle's Thunder Bunny #1 was the only issue produced. Thunder Bunny did manage to team with many of the Crusaders in a trio of issues before the entire line was cancelled in 1985. 

Greim found a final home for Thunder Bunny, signing with WaRP Graphics. A 12-issue series along with an annual was published from 1985-1987. Half of this series was published under WaRP's Apple Comics imprint. 1988's WaRP Graphics Annual #1 would be the final ever appearance of the character. 

Martin L Greim died in 2017. 

Completing this review completes Task #36 (Bought From Your Favorite LCS) of the 2025 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Joe Kubert Presents

Celebrate the life and art of DC Comics legend Joe Kubert in this collection of stories. Joe Kubert Presents in a decades old project that Kubert had been pitching for quite some time. It features stories starring some of Kubert's most iconic characters including Hawkman and Sgt. Rock. There's also tales of heroes that Kubert dreamed of doing but never got the chance such as the last boy on Earth, Kamandi and Jack Kirby's rhyming hellion, the Demon. 

Some stories are either all-new material or never before published works. His stories of SPIT, an 18th century waif who takes up on a whaling ship hearkens to Kubert's inspiration of Melville's Moby Dick. Then explore the first few chapters of the Redeemer. This era-spanning adventure tells of a man who is constantly reincarnated in order to prove his worth as the redeemer of humanity. This was originally to be a 12-issue maxi-series in the 80s but for one reason or another, it just never got past the initial product stages.

Not all of these stories are of Joe Kubert's. Hoping to share the spotlight with some unsung friends of his, Kubert highlights fellow war illustrator Sam Glanzman and up-and-comer Brian Buniak.

Sam Glanzman was a Navy seaman in the Pacific theatre during World War II. His adventure's aboard the USS Stevens are chronicled here. The level of detail on the ships and planes is amazing. His stories are powerful and tear-jerking. It's amazing stuff.

Brian Buniak was tasked with writing and drawing a multi-issue episode of the Angel and the Ape. Based on an idea by Joe Kubert, Buniak has the unlikely detectives solving a pair of murder attempts on identical twin restaurateurs and then taking on a mad scientist who has created an evil android version of Ape!

Overall, Joe Kubert Presents was a fantastic read. It's tragically poignant that this was Kubert's last work. It's almost as if the art educator knew that his time was coming to a close. If his Sgt. Rock story was the last story to chronicle the DC Comics war hero, I would be more than okay with that. 

With a slew of Kubert pieces along with the long awaited Redeemer chapters and Sam Glanzman's recounts of WWII, this is an essential read for DC fans and collectors of war comics. Who am I kidding?!  This is a must read for any comics fan!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.