Star Trek: Holo-Ween #1

For the first time ever, the Star Trek franchise has a Halloween special. Over the past 50 years, many episodes hasve had creepy elements to them and there might have been an issue or two of a Star Trek comic set during Halloween. But there's never been a book directly tied to the chilling autumn holiday... until now! 

Taking place aboard the Enterprise-D, Star Trek: Holo-Ween is a weekly 4-issue miniseries. After a harrowing trip though a solar storm, the nerves of the Enterprise crew are shot. Electrical systems are going haywire and the ship itself took quite a beating. Sensing the tension of the crew, Counselor Troi plans to help all aboard to release some of that steam with an inter-species celebration of Halloween.

Before Troi can put on the festival, members of the crew and their their families begin disappearing. The site of the disappearances is in the proximity of the holodecks. Commander Data heads down to deck nine in hopes that the disappearances are just the result of yet another mechanical malfunction brought upon those solar disturbances. Unfortunately, the answer is even more sinister when Data comes face-to-face with an ancient evil that has infected itself with Borg technology!

IDW Publishing used to do an annual weekly miniseries in honor of Halloween. Those titles were called Tales From Vader's Castle and set in the Star Wars universe. It was a neat way to celebrate Halloween in a franchise that doesn't have Halloween. I'm glad to see that after losing the rights to Star Wars, IDW continues their weekly Halloween story tradition here with Star Trek. It's a tradition that I want to see more of next year and further down the road. Only I hope that the publisher either focuses on other elements of the Star Trek universe, like Deep Space Nine or Voyager. Or even better, utilize properties such as My Little Pony, Ninja Turtles or bring in a new franchise that has never received the Halloween comic treatment. Above all, I just want some variety.

This opening chapter was rough. The syntax was all wrong. None of the characters read like themselves. And there were a lot of rough chops to the dialogue. Apparently everyone was in such shock from the solar storms, nobody could really complete a thought, much less a sentence. Writer Chris Sequeira is from Australia. Maybe that has something to do with it because I did think some words were misspelled. Maybe they're just written in Australian slang.

Some fans have really criticized the art. Not just of this story but all the Trek books by IDW. I didn't think Joe Eisma's work was all that bad. It's minimalist, for sure. And okay, not every panel of iconic Star Trek characters looks photo-realistic. But if I was to have to rate between the writing and the art, of which one was worse, I'd have to say that some serious TLC needs to be applied to the script. 

I love the cover and it's variant. The main cover by Francesco Francavilla is killer!

A okay start that could've been much better.

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Star Wars Adventures (2019 Free Comic Book Day Edition)

This 2019 Free Comic Book Day offering features a scary story starring Han Solo and Chewbacca. Only it's not the real Han Solo. I don't care that this is a comic book. But the version of Han illustrated in this book is the Alden Ehrenreich Solo origin film version. The only (acceptable) version of Han Solo is Harrison Ford. Plain and simple. There is no substitute. 

Now one thing added to the appeal of this book is that this is a Tales From Vader's Castle story. Since 2018, Star Wars fans have been delighted by an annual all-ages horror themed anthology set in the Star Wars Universe. It's become a new Halloween tradition. However, there's no such thing as Halloween in Star Wars. That doesn't matter as it still makes for a fun October time read. 

Compared to other Vader's Castle stories, this one isn't really that scary. Probably because this was a Free Comic Book Day offering. Mistress Lina and her droid Crater, who are the story's narrators, make a return appearance from the 2018 debut of Tales From Vader's Castle. As they explore Vader's home, Lina recalls an early adventure from Han and Chewbacca's early days involving a heist as a droid museum. 

This story sets up the framework for prospective fans to pick up the trade paperback which collected the first series. There was a Han Solo ghost story in the first anthology. I double-checked. This story is not a reprint of that issue as writer Cavan Scott managed to have both versions of Solo (the true and the reboot impostor) in the same story. There's no Harrison Ford in this book.

Featuring art by Derek Charm, this issue has a certain charm to it; even if it doesn't feature MY Han Solo. Loved the closing panel! And the back cover by Francesco Francavilla, featuring the imposing visage of Lord Vader overlooking his Mustafar is just breathtaking. Oh, how I would love to have a print of it to hang in my office!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Action Comics 2022 Annual (2022 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

The character of Mongul made his debut in the pages of DC Comics Presents #27 (November, 1980). Created by Len Wein and Jim Starlin, Mongul was the exiled leader of the Wazoons, a warrior-like race. Not one to let a little thing like a coup keep a despot down, Mongul has plans to create the Warworld; essentially a Death Star-like artificial planet that Mongul would use to re-conquer his home world and then later the galaxy.

Superman and fellow Justice Leaguer J'onn J'onzz, the Martian Manhunter, manage to destroy Warworld. But this still doesn't stop Mongul. His attack on the Throneworld of the Prince Gavyn Starman results in the death of several members of the royal family. Superman's actions result in an obsession by Mongul, with the Warzoon warlord plotting to first destroy Earth's sun and then later gifting Superman with a Black Mercy. The mind-altering attack of the extraterrestrial parasitic flower is so brutal that the resulting smackdown by Superman is one of the few times the Man of Steel actually loses control in the pre-CRISIS era. 

Placed in a coma by Superman, Mongul would not return to comics until after the retcon of CRISIS. In the pages of Superman #454, Jerry Conway introduces a newer version of Mongul. With the Warworld returned to continuity, Mongul operates a sort of floating Las Vegas, where the villain oversees a series of gladiatorial games that eliminates any threats to Mongul's reign, while making himself very wealthy. 

The Warworld comes across a dying Superman in the dark recesses of space. Despite being at such a point of his Post-CRISIS career, Superman's name has traveled far and wide. With an artificial red sun, Mongul gives Superman just enough power to compete as the Warworld's latest champion. Eventually, the Man of Steel manages to gain the trust of Mongul's former #1 warrior, Draaga ,and Superman leads a revolt of the Warworld sending Mongul once again into exile. 

Numerous retcons since then have put Mongul back on the throne of Warworld. But the Warzoon's hatred for Superman has never abated. In the past couple of years, Superman and Mongul have butted heads with the 'Warworld Rising' storyline. In it, Mongul, leading a squadron of Warzoon battleships have the Earth back in their cross hairs. 

Jumping to the 2022 Annual of Action Comics, the Warworld Rising arc has completed. As sort of postscript, regular series writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Si Spurrer (Way of X) craft a never revealed origin story for the character. Exploring Mongul's time as a child forced into exile with his mother for showing cowardice during the culling of the Warzoon tribal chief, also called Mongul; the Superman villain's childhood story is paired with a period of time from Clark Kent's youth. Mongul is having to learn how to fight for himself in a wasteland of poisoned pools, scavenger species, and cannibal warriors. At the same time, Clark is learning what it means to let others get the glory despite having powers that the last son of Krypton could use to his advantage to become the best at everything. 

Dale Eaglesham (Shazam!) and Ian Churchill (Supergirl) are the artists for this annual. Based on the differences in the artwork and previous experience, I believe that Eaglesham penciled the Clark Kent origin. Franco Francavilla was the regular cover artist. Steve Rude crafted the variant cover that was printed on card stock with an extra dollar added to the cover price. 

While the promise of a Mongul origin story called to me, I must admit, it's the pastel cover of both Superman and Mongul by the Afterlife With Archie artist was what sold me on this book. The story is both grim and gritty like a Mad Max movie and full of down home charm like Field of Dreams.

As of June 14th, 2022, Action Comics 2022 Annual was #20 of the list of Highest Rated Current Comics on Comicbookroundup.com.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Completing this review completes Task #50 ( Is trending on the comicbookroundup.com top 20) of the 2022 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge. 

Moon Knight, Volume 1: Lunatic

Marc Spector awakens in a mental hospital. It seems that his life as the vigilante Moon Knight has been just a delusion of decades of psychosis. Yet no matter how hard Spector tries to see life through the eyes of a sane person, the man keeps running into fellow inmates who seem just like those who have fought along side him in his mission against evil and injustice. 

I think after numerous tries, I can say without a doubt, I am just not a Moon Knight fan. There's too many alter egos and confusing Egyptian gods. Oh, and violence. Lots and lots of mindless violence. 

I won this book, along with 3 other books, in a drawing during a comic book event. That's why I read this. I figured free is free. Plus, it has the great Jeff Lemire (Black Hammer) as the writer. So I thought that I would be in for a treat. 

This volume contains the first 5 issues of the 2016-17 Moon Knight series. The first 3 issues were pretty good. But the concluding pair of chapters were just a hot mess. Now the artwork overall was superior. It's a mix of different art styles by Star Wars: Vader's Greg Smallwood with help by Francesco Francavilla (Archie Horror), Michael Garland (King Thor) and others. And I just loved those covers. I'n not sure who did them. But they really were awesome. 

I know that Moon Knight has a cult following. He's just not my cup of tea. Someone might be a huge fan of this book. But that person isn't me.

 Hey- at least it was a free book!

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Star Wars Adventures: Return to Vader's Castle #1 (Family Comic Friday)

After a terrifying trip through the Dark Side of the Force, Family Comic Friday is daring to Return to Vader’s Castle for more chills set in a galaxy far, far away.

Star Wars Adventures: Return to Vader’s Castle #1
Written by Cavan Scott
Art by Francesco Francavilla and Megan Levins
Published by IDW Publishing
Retail: $3.99

Last year, IDW Publishing took Star Wars fans on a frightening 5-week long countdown to Halloween in the pages of Tales From Vader’s Castle. When I reviewed that book, I predicted that we would see another round of scares this Halloween- and I was right!

Star Wars Adventures: Return to Vader’s Castle #1 kicks off a 4-week miniseries that is already slaying it’s predecessor in terms of quality. My big issue with last year’s event was that Vader’s Castle was lacking a proper horror host to tie in the ominous presence of the Sith Lord’s inner sanctum with the spooky stories being recalled.

In this series we finally have a host in the form of Darth Vader’s personal caretaker, Vanee. This character has all of the make-up of a great host of a horror comic. He is really  eerie; possibly deranged. Vanee is also quite ghoulish, and most importantly, he’s a good storyteller!

Of course, the story is actually crafted by Cavan Scott. The main writer from Star Wars Adventures, Cavan Scott really seems to live and breathe Star Wars. That makes him the perfect choice to craft these legends of Lucasfilm!

Once again, the stories aren’t terrifying to the point that young readers can’t enjoy them. The first story, which guest stars Darth Maul, is about as chilling as that scene in Empire where Luke must go into that tree on Dagobah to face the Dark Side of the Force. If your child can tolerate that segment, they’ll get a thrill out of this series.

If you have a young reader who loves to be a little scared during Halloween and loves Star Wars, then Return to Vader’s Castle is the perfect start to get them in the All Hallow’s Eve spirit! Thanks to writer Cavan Scott and Jughead: The Hunger’s Francesco Francavilla and Megan Levens (Spider-Gwen), Star Wars fans of all ages will be in for a treat!

Star Wars Adventures: Return to Vader’s Castle #1 is currently available in print and digital formats. Issues #2 debuts on Wednesday, October 9th.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

This review was originally published on October 4, 2019 via Outrightgeekery.com.

Star Wars Adventures: Tales from Vader's Castle #1

The long rumored and highly anticipated Star Wars horror anthology series is finally here! Star Wars Adventures: Tales from Vader's Castle offers all-ages frights from all corners of the Star Wars galaxy. This 5-week long miniseries stars some of your favorite characters including Luke Skywalker, Obi-WAN, and of course the Dark Lord himself, Darth Vader.

Issue #1 features the crew of The Ghost from Star Wars: Rebels. The story starts off with a Rebellion ship having crash landed on Mustafar. As the ship slowly melts in the magma of the molten planet, the crew debate whether to bake themselves to death or put the crew at the mercy of the Imperial forces awaiting outside.

It's here that we finally get to Kanan, Hera and Chopper's story. One of the marooned crew regurgitates a spooky encounter Chopper once experienced. During a rescue mission, the crew of The Ghost not only saves the damaged ship's pilot but manage to pick up an actual ghost as well!

This was an acceptable opening chapter. But I felt that the ending of the Kanan story wasn't finished. This isn't a spoiler, but I speculate that the events recounted in this issue is going to continue throughout the remaining 4 issues of this anthology series.

If that turns out to be the case, my rating of writer Cavan Scott might actually increase when issue #5 drops on Halloween day.

The art for this book was amazing. It's by Derek Charm, who draws Star Wars Adventures in an old school animated series style that I love. Francesco Francavilla (Archie Horror various) is doing a series of 5 special covers for this miniseries. I had to see all 5 covers in order to figure out the Easter Egg hidden in plain view. And I felt so much like a dummy when I finally saw it!

I realize that All Hallows Eve doesn't exist in the Star Wars universe. However I am excited that Disney and IDW Publishing finally figured out a way to incorporate Halloween into my favorite movie franchise. As with many miniseries, the premier issue is just a merely a teaser of what's to come. This opening round wasn't perfect but it was perfect enough to have me coming back for round two next week.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

This review was originally published on Friday, October 5th, 2018 on Outrightgeekery.com.

Hungry Ghosts #4

Anthony Bordain's culinary horror anthology comes to a close. I had eagerly awaited this title's conclusion as the ending was promised to shock! For me, it was an extreme disappointment.

Like the previous 3 issues, this edition has 2 main stories.

The first story, The Snow Woman is a Japanese legend that has been retold countless times. I remember the story being adapted for the Tales From The Darkside movie in a segment starring James Remar. It's a very good story except for one thing- it has zero to do with food! 

That's the premise of this Dark Horse comic. Horror stories involving food. All of the tales were also to be set in Japan. But that didn't happen for all of the stories and I forgave that. But to have a ghost story in a horror comic revolving around food; to not have any food- I can't excuse that misstep. 

The final story, The Cow Head stayed true to this miniseries' concept. I loved the artwork by Archie Horror staple, Francesco Francavilla.  But this adventure was also promising to really scare readers. And for this reader, it didn't. What the story did accomplish was to get a little bit preachy and reveal the overall theme.

However, I'm not going to reveal that as it could spoil the ending. Plus, this issue just came out within the past 2 weeks, so it might be a little too soon to dive into specifics. But once you understand the overall premise, all of the stories as well as the framing story that sets up the entire series makes a lot of sense.

Overall, Hungry Ghosts is a great anthology horror. But the last issue wasn't as dynamic an ending as expected.

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.