Spider-Man: The Savage Land Saga!

Reprinting issues #13-15 of Sensational Spider-Man, Peter Parker is sent by the Daily Bugle to report on a joint ecological venture in the Savage Land between SHIELD and ROXXON. To prevent the rapidly melting ice of Antarctica from wiping over the prehistoric microcosm, ROXXON has installed giant freezer units to keep the ice frozen. Only the machines are doing the opposite as ROXXON has plans to flood the land and then secure its vast oil reserves. 

This is one of those stories where in 1997 when it was published it would be considered relevant comics. Today's venomous fan base work would consider this a 'woke comic'. Featuring a memorable cameo from the Incredible Hulk, and of course Ka-Zar in a guest-starring role The Savage Land Saga feels more relevant than ever. The waters off of Florida are hotter than bath water. Sea ice is at its lowest levels ever. And the scenes where SHIELD is trying to evacuate a prehistoric village from a flood of water elicits recent memories of flood rescues in Vermont and the Golden State. 

I consider Todd Dezago and Mike Wieringo's 3-issue saga to be a chance for Marvel to dip it's toes back into Toho Studios territory. The retreating ice awakens both an ancient foe that feels that reptiles were the true rulers of earth and the looming environmental crisis awakens a Godzilla-like protector from it's ageless slumber to save the Savage Land. Don't laugh, but this savior of Earth is a giant prehistoric chicken!

The artwork is absolutely amazing. Mike Wieringo was a genius and the comic book industry has lessened in quality as a whole with his untimely 2007 passing. They just don't draw comics like this anymore, folks.

As for the writing. The dialogue is good. The plot is not. It's too cliched. If it was meant to be silly, then I'd understand. However, there's too much of this story trying to be a story that convinces readers to change their ways of life or there'll never be anymore snow. But it's really hard to take environmentalism seriously when there's a giant chicken trying to save the planet.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Superman #165 (A Holiday Favorite Revisited)

Lex Luthor has been elected President of the United States. It's a fact that doesn't sit very well with the Man of Steel. Seeking advice, solace, and allies, Superman makes the rounds with his fellow Justice Leaguers while giving them their Christmas presents. 

Featuring the artistic talents of Art Adams, Mike Wieringo, Ed McGuiness, Rob Liefeld, Norm Rapmund, and many more, this was a great Christmas themed story that's drawing style changed which each hero Superman engages. 

One of my favorite stories begins with a scene involving Waverider and Mongul's Warworld. Yet, that's the only time we see these characters. It's a moment that has to nothing do with the holiday themed story but thankfully, it doesn't really detract from the rest of the tale. 

Speaking of detractors- even the art of the much-maligned Rob Liefeld is pretty good. The late 90s version of Aquaman with the long hair and hook hand actually looks great done by the creator of Deadpool. It's almost a Christmas miracle!

 Worth Consuming

 Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.