Svengoolie: Lost in Time

Beloved horror host, Svengoolie, makes his comic book debut in this one-shot special from Frank Miller Presents. 

The mad scientist who lost out in auditions to Svengoolie has a plan to steal the host job. He'll create a robot version of Sven to go back in time and stop the horror host from getting hired by MeTV to host his weekly Saturday night movie theater series. First thing the Svenbot must do is prevent Svengoolie's sidekicks Kerwyn, Tombstone and his talking casket Boddy Sorrell from becoming a part of the show. Then with the help of the evil robot, Mr. Mad Scientist will swoop into present day Svengoolie studios and take the hosting job for himself!

Only there's one problem. The Svenbot is so good at hosting the show on it's own, the mechanical menace steals the job from the mad scientist as well! Besides, not needing to pay a robot will help MeTV make a huge profit! Now it's war as the mad scientist must go back in time and stop his Svenbot from changing horror movie theater history or else all TV shows might be hosted by robots that will work for nothing!

The story started off kinda flat. The jokes, much like the ones Svengoolie tells on his show, get lots of groans. But I think the roughness of that opening segment was more because of the medium. Rich Koz, the Sven-miester himself, wrote up the dialogue with story assists by Chris Faulkner and Jim Roche as well as Franco Aureliani. Spreading out a corny opening joke about Godzilla over 2 pages and several panels made for a jest that was just so hard to follow. But once we got into the time travelling portion of the story, things really gelled. 

I loved getting to witness the origins of Kerwyn, Tombstone and Boddy Sorrell. It was a nice touch having different artists illustrate those scenes which take place in different time periods. Art Baltazar, along with Jill Thompson and Christopher Jones draw up a trio of distinct eras of Svengoolie history. 

There was a follow-up story starring a new member of the Svengoolie family. Nostalgiaferatoo. That tale is supposed to be the character's origin story. But it devolves into a commercial for the Svengoolie show, which if you ask me is what this whole special was in the first place. There's also an informative history about Svengoolie. I would have preferred more space devoted to that than that unnecessary Nostalgiaferatoo 2-pager.

From what I understand, this is the first of 2 Svengoolie comic book specials. I enjoyed this work enough to look forward to the follow-up. Might I just suggest to write the story as a comic and not a TV show. Also, bring Art Baltazar and Franco together. I was excited to have both beloved creators working on this book. It's just not the same not having these two working in tandem as the all-ages comic dynamic duo that they are. Join Rich Koz with Art Baltazar and Franco- that's a team-up I can't wait to see in comics!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Post Halloween Left Over Thanksgiving Special #1

More Halloween than Thanksgiving, this excessively long-titled book features early work by Art Baltazar and Franco! 

The Post Halloween Left Over Thanksgiving Special stars Baltazar's character of Cray-Baby and Franco's assortment of monster characters that occupy the town of Weirdsville. I'm not really sure what Cray-Baby is. To me, I thought it was more of a twist on that Bat Boy character from the Weekly World News. Added to the mix is Chris Yambar's Mr. Beat, a sort of beatnik that is kinda a father figure to other characters.

Of the 3, Mr. Beat was my least popular. Not because I'm a devotee of Baltazar and Franco and thus biased. I am on both. My disdain of Mr. Beat is because of his liberal use of the R-word. Yes, I know this book came out over 20 years ago and things were different enough for it to be 'okay to say' the R-word. But I still don't like it. 

Only 2 stories are Thanksgiving themed. Although one might not be the case at all. That questionable story has a witch on the hunt for a young boy with a pumpkin for a head. She wants very much to make a pumpkin pie out of it. Pumpkin pie is very much a Thanksgiving staple, so that's why I consider it a Thanksgiving event. 

The second Turkey Day tale is called 'Franksgiving'. Here, Frankenstein's monster is on a rampage until a kind family invites him to Thanksgiving dinner. A silent tale. I really enjoyed its twist ending. 

The majority of the vignettes and shorts were funny. For a Thanksgiving special, I wish there was more Thanksgiving. But I guess it's better than nothing.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Deadman Tells the Spooky Tales (Family Comic Friday)

Created in 1967 by the legendary Neal Adams, Deadman was a circus performer who was assassinated while performing under the big top. Thanks to a Hindu deity called Rama Kushna, the spirit of Deadman was allowed to linger on Earth in order to discover the identity of his killer. By possessing the body of others, including many a member of the Justice League, Deadman was able to gather the clues to find the identity of the mysterious killer known only as 'The Hook.' But after his murderer was apprehended, for one reason or another, Deadman delayed crossing over to the afterlife to continue bringing evil to justice!

I've read my fair share of Deadman stories over the years. My father had a copy of his first appearance, in the pages of Strange Adventures #205. The visual appeal of a white ghostly face decked in a scarlet red circus performer unitard was enough to draw me in. Sure, with death and ghosts and vengeance, this probably wasn't the stuff for a lad of under the age of 10 to enjoy. But those Deadman stories of my dad's collection were some of my most favorite reads.

So when I learned that Deadman was going to host a graphic novel anthology of creepy tales for young readers, I immediately contacted my favorite LCS to reserve my copy! While over the past 55 years Deadman has teamed up with major characters from the DC Universe, solved some puzzling crimes and even come face-to-face with the creator of the universe himself, the supernatural character has never hosted his own horror title to my knowledge- until now!

Franco, the fan favorite co-creator of such all-ages properties as Tiny Titans and Itty Bitty Hellboy, pens 13 unlucky tales of terror. But as this book was aimed for readers aged 8-12 years old, was this collection of spooky tales all that scary?

The shortcut taken through 'The Cemetery' and the mall-themed story titled 'Mannequins' would qualify in my book as scary. The autumn leaves adventure called 'Fall' was eerie too; if only because two victims of the story's antagonist seem completely forgotten by our heroes. 

I loved 'On the Inside'. That psychological thriller was a tiny bit scary. What sold it for me was how it was directly tied into a character from the Batman family of villains. The movie themed 'Inattentive Blindness' and the sleepover at 'The House of Madame Pyka' also had some ties to the DCU and were entertaining scares. However, I would say that they gave me anything but the frights. "The Fisherman' was another story that was highly entertaining yet didn't scare me. However, it had an ending that left me demanding a sequel or a stand alone series!

Franco, especially when he is teamed with his main writing partner Art Baltazar, is known for his humorous stories. And the majority of the remaining stories are more for yuks that screams. However, the humor element is okay with me. Those classic DC horror titles from my youth such as House of Mystery and The Witching Hour were as renown for their bizarre comedy bits just as much as their horrifying stories of ghosts and ghouls.

I've got to confess however, that with both feline themed stories 'The Litterbox' and 'The Neighborhood Cats', I read ahead. Not because I was scared. It was because I didn't want to be shocked with any stories that involved dying or injured kitties. I am happy to say that no gatos were injured in the making of this graphic novel for kiddies!

The most terrifying aspect of this book was the running commentary of the Deadman throughout this anthology. He poses some eerie questions. However, it's the artwork by visual artist Sara Richard that puts the icing on the cake in terms of creepiness. Her images of skeletons and graveyards are chilling. But when she provides anatomy lessons of viscera and sinew as Deadman transports himself throughout the book, I get a tad spooked. 

A dozen other artists provide visuals for this book. Derek Charm (Star Wars Adventures) is another fan favorite of mine who contributes to this work. As is fellow North Carolinian, Thomas Boatwright, of whom the Zeke Deadwood: Zombie Lawmaker creator is one of which that I own actual original artwork of! However, I must say that I am a little perturbed that Franco's most famous creative partner, Art Baltazar, is nowhere to be found in this book! I hope the two didn't part ways as collaborators! I love those two when they get together and make comic book memories!

Deadman Tells the Spooky Tales (Another Great Pun Title!) was an entertaining read. I was scrambling to find something appropriate for younger readers to review this week in time for Halloween. I'm so glad my comics shop was able to get a copy yesterday! The horror element as well as Deadman's backstory that involves Eastern religion, including reincarnation might be a little to controversial for some. But if you were a parent, guardian or grandparent who grew up reading the adventures of Deadman, especially the vintages ones, the young readers in your life are going to thrill at this trip through DC's darkest corners.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Aw Yeah Comics! Vol. 3: Make Way for Awesome (Family Comic Friday)

Today I am reviewing a book that I probably would have shared sooner but the pandemic closed out my local library for a very long time. Literally, I went like 2 full years without complete access to tons of great all ages books thanks to the lockdown. Even though this book is 6 years old, I am very behind. So bear with me if this is a book your family has already enjoyed.

Aw Yeah Comics! Vol. 3: Make Way for Awesome continues the awesome adventures of Action Cat, Adventure bug, Awesome Bear and their crime fighting pals! The creation of Family Comic Favorites Art Baltazar and Franco, the majority of the stories in this collection is produced by collaborative friends of the Aw Yeah Comics family of comic shops in the Chicago area. Though Baltazar and Franco aren't as active in the books collected within, you can still see their influences on every page. 

In this volume, our heroes take on Evil Cat, a rectangular swine fiend named Parallel-O-Ham (great pun name!), space aliens, ghost bugs and possibly an evil jar of pickles! There's a follow-up to the King of Atlantis story from early on in the series. Plus, expect some surprise crossovers from some beloved Dark Horse Comics characters that are usually seen in comics aimed at adults. It was really fun to see characters such as Savage Dragon in an all-ages setting for once!

And who doesn't love how Zombie Cat is basically designed in the motif of J'onn J'onzz, The Martian Manhunter? His body is the same color green. His outfit is also teal. And the missing eye being marked with a red X just like the harness on J'onn's chest. I got that reference!

This is the third collection of books. I've previously reviewed volume 1 on this blog. Hopefully, I'll be reading and reviewing volume 2 sometime soon. That means that the enjoyment doesn't have to end for me yet. That is unless my library is without volume 2. For some reason, my branch has a bad habit of not purchasing every book in the series. But if they pulled through this time, I'm in for a treat!

A great collection of stories that the kiddies and adults will enjoy. Being an older book, used and new copies can be purchased on Amazon for a fantastic steal. Since they're at a good price, pick up 2 copies. I'm sure the young readers in your life are going to love this book so much, they're going to wear it out with constant re-reads.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars. 

Encounter, Volume 1: Out of This World (A Family Comic Friday Extra!)

I reviewed the first issue a while back as part of one of my Family Comic Friday columns. While I enjoyed that book, I felt that should I ever get my hands on the collected edition, I would review this separately as I didn't want to take away from reviewing another all-ages book. But since then, I have started do Family Comic Friday Extras. So here goes...

Encounter, Volume 1: Out of This World
Written and illustrated by Art Baltazar, Franco & Chris Giarusso
Published by Lion Forge
Pages: 136
Retail: $12.99

Encounter is a shape-shifting alien who has sought refuge on planet earth. While on our planet, he has made it his mission to protect several mysterious pods that bear the same green polka dots that he does. In order to earn money, Encounter poses as a baker. But because of those darn dots he bears, he must turn his bakery into an Encounter themed shop. You can't expect Encounter to give up his secret identity, now can you?

It's not easy being a super hero. Especially now, as a series of villains have come to town demanding those pods. It will take all the help from his super powered sidekick, Barko and the neighboring owner of the local comic book store and his niece to help keep those orbs from the hands of the baddies! 

I love Art Baltazar and Franco (Tiny Titans)! I love Chris Giarusso (G-Man)! Having all 3 working on a comic book together is all-ages gold! 

Their art style is timeless. Their sense of humor is steeped in comic book lore. And all three creators just want to create fun comics for the whole family to enjoy!

This volume covers the first 5 issues of Encounter. There's a volume 2 that just came out in March that covers issues 6-10. I'm really hoping there will be more after that. But it's been about 6 months since the last issue debuted. I'm not really sure what the delay is. In fact, there may not be a delay at all and issue #10 was the last we'll see of Encounter and friends.
I hope that is not the case; but it's real possibility.

Encounter has something for the whole family. The main features have bigger words and more complex plots for those aged 8-12. The secondary tales are simplified for readers 4-7. The villains are zany. The townsfolk are goofy. And every once in a while you have to do a double take because the in-jokes are really surreal. But this is wholesome stuff that will make parents and guardians very happy!

Encounter, Volume 1: Out of This World debuted in print and digital formats on October 2, 2018.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

And be sure to be on the lookout for my regular FCF column later this afternoon!