Savage Tales #3

The first volume of Marvel's Savage Tales was a black and white magazine edition that was slanted more towards fantasy adventure. Characters such as Conan the Barbarian and Kazar fit it's mold perfectly. Though there were a few exceptions, like the Man-Thing who's first ever appearance in the premiere issue, was rooted deeply in science fiction horror. 

In the mid-1980s, Larry Hama sought to revive the title. The second volume was a black and white magazine just like it's predecessor. But instead of sword and sorcery type adventures, this edition was geared towards war and conflicts from the past, present and near future. It's from this comic mag that we get a pair of stories set during the Vietnam War that the amazing comic book The 'Nam would come into fruition. 

In this issue alone, we see a episode set during the Bolshevik revolution of a forgotten police action carried out by American and Canadian troops to keep the Czar in power. A moonshiner takes revenge on a rival responsible for the death of his dog and the destruction of his impressive collection of Elvis vinyls. Desperate women seek military protection during an uprising set in 19th century colonial India. Airplane flying rebels seek to scavenge a crashed Soviet bomber in the aftermath of a nuclear Holocaust while in another different story set in a similar apocalypse, friends see medical attention for their critically injured mentor. A Nazi courier crosses enemy lines and angry live ammunition to deliver important top secret documents during the Watch on the Rhine. Lastly, The American Calvary tracks a legendary American Indian throughout the Sonoran Desert.

Unfortunately, this 1986 offering isn't one of the issues that features a The 'Nam precursor. I have that entire series run, plus a couple of Punisher tie-ins. So I would love to have those 2 issues to round out the full run. That means I'll be on the lookout for issues #1 and 4! Incidentally, a third story set in South Indochina was scheduled to appear in volume 2 of Savage Tales. Alas, the series was cancelled with issue #8. However, that story actually is not lost as it was retooled and saw print as The 'Nam #8!

Along with the editing talents of Larry Hama, there's a slew of Marvel greats including Dick Ayers, Herb Trimpe, Chuck Dixon (going by his Christian name Charles) and the fantastic John Severin. I've been a fan of his work ever since I was cutting my teeth on Cracked Magazine. Severin was the first artist I could recognize by his art style alone. He does double duty penciling the Russian Revolution and the American Calvary adventures. The cover art was by Mitch O'Connell.

An interesting read. I'm definitely wanting those The 'Nam forerunner stories but I don't think I'm in it for the entire 8 issue run.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Tom Strong, Vol. 1

I really like Tom Strong. The Alan Moore creation is a combination of Superman, Doc Savage, Tarzan and Flash Gordon. I've previously read the 2 hardcover volumes that comprised the entire run of Tom Strong's Terrific Tales. While the series wasn't entirely filled with adventures starring Tom, there were enough of him to make me a fan; desiring to complete a run of his regular series.

I swear that I've read the first issue before. Maybe the premiere issue of Terrific Tales reprinted some of Tom Strong's origin story. Maybe I've committed that legend to memory just as I have with the debuts of Batman, Spider-Man and dozens of other superheroes. But I doubt it.

7 issues are reprinted in this volume. The first 4 issues are self-contained. I love that. You get a full compliment of 30 some pages of action, adventure and a smattering of sci-fi, set in the year 1999. Within is also a glimpse of Tom's past adventures, which are pretty extensive considering that he's nearly 100 years old. I think each flashback had had something to do with the current predicament, which often sees a long-thought vanquished for returning from the dead. You might think that Alan Moore is stuck on a comic book trope. But in reality, he's eviscerating how often publishers love to bring characters back from the dead instead of letting sleeping dogs lie.

The last 3 issues all involved cliffhangers. If I was buying Tom Strong, when it was new,on a monthly basis and the pacing went from one-and-done tales to cliffhangers with a 30-day wait for the conclusion, I would have been pissed. Chalk it up for collected trades and hardcovers!

The second half not only sees the return of a World War II era foe, it also introduces a new foe that while I knew what was coming, I was shocked that Moore managed to do it. Tom is essentially raped and his DNA is used to make an Über Tom who really hates dad. Add in that Tom's wife is a black African princess and their child is mixed, the conflicting superiority complex and family loyalty of Tom's son makes for a very intriguing look at Tom Strong's future.

The original series of Tom Strong ran for 33 issues. There's 5 more volumes out there. Out of print, but not exactly something that collectors are scrambling to add to their collections, I should not have very much trouble getting my hands on them. Unfortunately, I have so much stuff on my ever growing wish list, it might be a while before I find volume 2. But rest assured, if I found the concluding editions on an amazing deal, they'll definitely be coming home with me.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

The Spirit Archives, Vol. 21

This volume covers 6 months of Will Eisner's The Spirit towards the end of its original run. I've been reading these out of order. Normally, that hadn't been a problem as continuity wasn't an issue. However, controversial, but universally loved, sidekick Ebony White is missing from this work, replaced by 2 really annoying sidekicks (and wannabe detectives) Sammy and Willium. (Actually, Willium isn't that bad. But he's no Ebony.) 

Eisner's writing style at this point in time has exploded with creative plotting, experimental narratives and other elements that you'd only find in a masters level English Lit class. Reading this book was like attending a writing clinic. You can see how generations of comic book artists, writers and prose novelists were inspired by Will Eisner's The Spirit. The crazy thing is some of the best Spirit stories don't even have the main character as an active player. Heck, sometimes, he's nowhere to be found!

Something new, at least in the volumes I have read so far, is a multi-issue story arc about a lawman named Dick Whittler. A sheriff from another town, he's called the Spirit in to help with a murder case in which we discover that our hero is the prime suspect. Over the course of 3 chapters, the Spirit must clear his name while proving that Commissioner Dolan wasn't an accomplice to the crime. 

The Spirit is known for solving extremely puzzling mysteries. This volume solved a long-standing puzzle for myself. A couple of years ago, I read The Christmas Spirit. Produced in 1994 by Kitchen Sink Press, the holiday treasury collected all of the Christmas themed stories to appear in the series' original run. One story told of a little girl named Darling O'Shea, the richest girl in the world who wants to capture Santa Claus for skipping her house for the past several Christmas Eves. I wondered who in the heck just this little tyke was and thanks to this book, I finally learned her origins. 

As I've gotten older, heading into my late 40s, I've really been craving the comfort foods of Carl Barks, Stan and Jack, and Don Rosa. Add Will Eisner to that menu. I know that their works have flaws. But nobody is perfect. History is full of prejudices, stereotypes and ignorance. Eisner's Ebony White was steeped in black stereotype and was phased out eventually by the comics legend who was troubled by the character's legacy. When I try to read comics from 'a simplier time', I'm not oblivious to the blemishes. But man are the 2020 such a downer that I need some escape!

My first degree is in history. I love learning about the past. Especially the pop culture era of 1938-2000. And I have found that one of the best ways to learn about this time period is through the entertainment of the day. Who better than Will Eisner to learn about the highs and lows of the American storyteller? He might not have been a perfect man but his works are far superior than a lot of modern comic creators who act like they've never made a mistake in their entire life. 

I'll keep on reading and doing my darndest in trying to collect the entire Eisner library.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Walt Disney's Uncle Scrooge and Donald Duck: 'Return to Plain Awful'- The Don Rosa Library, Vol. 2

Don Rosa gets a lot of hate from Duck fans. But no matter how much a collector might despise his work, the harshest critic of Don Rosa is Rosa himself. And I just don't know why. 

Rosa is a disciple of the greatest Duck creator of them all, 'the good Duck artist' Carl Barks. And sure, you never want to exceed your hero. But while Don Rosa is no Carl Barks, I think it should be said that Carl Barks is no Don Rosa either!

The artist originally born as Keno Rosa has a style in the vein of Harvey Kurtzman with tiny little inclusions of hidden images and inside jokes- usually in the background. I absolutely love that. Each Duck story of Rosa's that I read, I feel like a detective trying to find all the Easter eggs hidden in every panel. Thank goodness Rosa wrote his own commentary situated at the end of this volume as sometimes, no matter how hard I try, I just can't find where he hid the word 'D.U.C.K.' in the art of the first page. (Note: you should also be on the lookout for hidden Mickey's and portraits of Barks throughout...)

In this volume we get to enjoy a number of adventures throughout Duckburg and the furthest reaches of the globe. The cover story sees Uncle Scrooge tagging along with his nephews to Plain Awful in hopes of securing the market on square chicken eggs. But he'll have to beat rival Glomgold Flintheart to Peru first! 

My favorite story has Scrooge declaring his money bin a sovereign nation. The headaches that come about with tariffs, passports and an invading army of Beagle Boys makes this story so relevant to today's headlines that you would swear that this story wasn't written over 35 years ago.

There's a couple of real hidden gems that I don't feel like Rosa gives himself enough credit for. First is a storyboard for a never published promotional comic highlighting Donald and his nephews' inaugural trip to Disney MGM Studios. As it's Rosa's only story to have Donald and Mickey interacting in the same universe, it's not to be missed! Then there's Rosa's only foray into the DuckTales realm. He only penned it and it's less than 8 pages, but this prehistoric time travel romp with Magica De Spell was so fun!

I needed this book as a bit of retail therapy and a pick-me-up after a very difficult weekend. I had a ball with this book. I laughed, I examined and I appreciated the artwork and I distressed. I just wish Don Rosa knew how much somebody appreciated his body of work. He's ton better than he gives himself credit for!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Walt Disney's Uncle Scrooge "Maharajah Donald": The Complete Carl Barks Disney Library Vol. 4

I actually finished this book about 2 months ago. However the theft of my goat was heavy on my mind and I was too distracted to review it at the time. Only after doing some organizing of my piles of books to review did I realize that I had overlooked this very fun entry in the Complete Carl Barks Library.

The title story sees Donald taking a trip to India. He's supposed to be going alone. Except his nephews Huey Dewey and Louie stowaway. Once in India, Donald is unexpectedly made the ruler of a small kingdom in a caper that combined hijinks, international law and a hint of racist stereotypes.

As I've mentioned before, Barks' works are indeed peppered with cultural stereotypes and prejudices that would make today's youth request the cancellation of the amazing cartoonists career. Thankfully, Disney and Fantagaphics has decided not to cull away these works in hopes of creating dialogue about how much our societal norms have changed as well as point out how much further we've got to go.

There's holiday stories a plenty in this book. The nephews win a turkey for Thanksgiving. Only it's a live bird and the boys are too attached to it to kill it. In a fantastic Christmas set story, Donald is a lighthouse keeper who forgot to buy gifts for the boys. A looming maelstrom prevents Donald from going ashore on Christmas Eve. So any chance of a Christmas to remember rests on an albatross tasked with delivering a letter to Santa.

Now all of these stories come from comics that are quite valuable and really hard to find. But it's the inclusion of the Donald Lighthouse story along with a tale in which involves Donald, an atomic bomb and a sneaky spy are what makes this book really worth it's cover price of $35! Both stories are freebie premiums that mostly found their way into the waste bin. The Christmas story was given away by various toy stores and department stores during the 1946 holiday shopping season. The Atomic Donald adventure was part of a 4-issue set of minis included in a box of Cheerios cereal.

Oh, and how can I forget Donald's houseboat adventure titled 'The Terror of the River'. His experience with a river bound sea monster contains some of the most epic images crafted by Barks! It's breathtaking!

Maharajah Donald contains some of the earliest Donald Duck stories produced not by Disney, but Carl Barks as well. There's only 3 volumes of earlier material out there. There's no sign of a sophomore slump or early development kinks here. Without Uncle Scrooge, who's still a couple of years away from debuting at this point, many of the stories in this volume are about as close to the adventuresome duck epic formula that made me such a fan of the Disney Ducks back in the 1980s!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Walt Disney's Uncle Scrooge "The Seven Cities of Gold": The Complete Carl Barks Disney Library Vol. 14

According to the expert commentary at the end of this book, the time period covered here was a very difficult time creatively for creator Carl Barks. For those of you wondering, we're talking 1955-1960. Apparently, Barks and the editors at Western Publishing butted heads over the contents of several stories. All of a sudden, the editorial staff began nitpicking over every little thing and especially took issue with anything that they deemed to be too violent.

The commentators don't seem to know why the sudden change. How good a comic book historian can these experts be if they can't make the connection that Western Publishing was freaking out over concerns brought about by the Comics Scare of the 1950s and the newly established Comics Code?!

True, I purchase and read the volumes of the Carl Barks collection out of order because I shop for the books based on current affordability and not sequence. Maybe in a previous or later volume, the commentaries will dive into the Comics Code. I just think if you're going to question why about something, you really either need to figure out the reasoning or don't call yourself the authority on something. It just makes for poor research. But that's probably just the history major in me coming out.

Within this difficult time, it's said that Barks' productivity waned and his creativity stagnated. I just don't see evidence of that in this book. In fact, for someone who grew up on DuckTales, this volume seems to align with that classic 80s toon the most out of the several volumes in this set I now own!

Several amazing adventures starring Uncle Scrooge and his nephews Donald, Huey, Dewey and Louie take the ducks across the globe including an epic trek all over planet Earth in search of the fabled Philosopher's Stone. Then there's the sci-fi adventure The Mysterious Stone Ray starring those dastardly Beagle Boys. My favorite was The Golden Fleecing which I believe was adapted for the Disney cartoon series! Plus the origins of Scrooge's steamboat days are explored in action packed story titled The Great Steamboat Race. 

When I reviewed Don Rosa's The Complete Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck, I commented how much I disliked the talent making Scrooge so ornery. Yet, this volume here confirms that Carl Barks was behind the anger because in reality, he was a very disgruntled man. I'd really like to read a biography about Barks. Though I'm not all that sure if such a thing exists. And if it does, I surely hope it's not written by the 'expert' who neglected to connect the damage Dr. Wertham did to the comic book industry in the 1950s to all the in-fighting between Carl Barks and his editors. For if it is, I might have to take a pass.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Walt Disney's Donald Duck "The Black Pearls of Tabu Yama": The Complete Carl Barks Disney Library Vol. 19

Maybe it's just me getting older and my tastes have changed. Maybe now owning nearly 12,000 comics and graphic novels that I realize that I don't have to own every comic book ever made. Or maybe it's just because I really love Scrooge McDuck and his nephew Donald. All I know is when it comes to a book that just warms my soul, I'd much rather read the complete works of the legendary Carl Barks than just about anything new that comes out on comic book shop shelves.

In this delightful volume, readers start off on a Pacific island adventure set during Christmas time with Scrooge Donald and Huey Dewey and Louie looking for the famed black pearls of Tabu Yama. The heartwarming ending is extremely predictable and yet this has immediately become one of my all-time favorite holiday reads to star the Ducks of Disney.

Lucky duck cousin Gladstone appears in at least 3 stories in this book. First, he'll race Donald around the world in a rocket ship for a pair of dueling scientists. For the last 2 stories, Uncle Scrooge is added to the mix as both Gladstone and Donald attempt to convince the wealthy businessduck to buy their prospective investment properties. Then the trio compete against each other in a series of competitive burro events for the rights to a lucrative uranium mine  For a character absolutely despised by Barks, he sure uses Gladstone Gander an awful lot.

Readers are also introduced to a new rival of Donald Duck in the form of the literal swine, P.L. McBrine. First, McBrine unleashes a pickle shortage in Duckburg by releasing a parasite that feasts on cucumbers. Donald and his nephews head overseas to bring back a wasp that is known to feast on those invasive bugs. However, McBrine is on their trail in hopes of keeping the Ducks from succeeding so he can make a killing by selling pickled rutabagas!

McBrine returns, now using the name McSwine as a customer scheming to take milkman Donald's job by making false complaints to the manager of the Duckburg dairy. Yet in an unexpected twist, Donald kinda snaps and exacts revenge on McBrine by issuing him his just desserts. As satisfying as it is to see Donald get the best of one of his foes with relish, it's no wonder that Disney and Dell passed on this story and was shelved for nearly 2 decades before being published in the Netherlands circa 1974.

Almost 2 dozen tales of various lengths abound in this nearly 200 page collection, along with covers and commentary from noted Disney comic historians on each adventure. 

Such a delight. I don't care if these reproductions show biases and stereotypes. Well, I care, socially. It just doesn't bother me to see how far we've come from those days of yore. It's how we learn from the mistakes of history and with that, I can't wait to get my hands on more books in this oddly published series of Barks' complete Disney Duck works. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Indiana Jones and Dial of Destiny

Barring a surprise announcement from Stephen Spielberg, George Lucas, Disney or Harrison Ford, the Indiana Jones franchise comes to a close with the Dial of Destiny. I for one was okay with how it ended, bringing some things full circle with Archaeologist Dr. Henry Jones Jr. Indiana to his friends. 

At 2 hours and 34 minutes, the film is long. But I didn't really feel like any scenes were extraneous. There were a few characters that just didn't need to be in the film, like a couple of bumbling CIA agents whose roles in the movie do nothing to progress the action. But overall, I enjoyed the film. 

Everybody knows that the best Indy movies involve the hero taking on the Nazis. But part of that charm is in how Indy has to save religious artifacts with God imbued powers from falling into Adolph Hitler's hands. Fans will not want the Fuhrer to obtain the spear that pierced Christ's side which is shown as the item Indy and Shaw are trying to retrieve from the Third Reich at the beginning of this film. I'd say 75% of American audiences know nothing about the Dial of Archimedes nor do they really care why Hitler wants it so bad, despite it being a good rule of thumb being anything that Hitler wants, Hitler shouldn't get.

The Dial of Archimedes was found in a Greek shipwreck in 1901. An ancient early computer, the device, while obviously far from intact, could take amazingly precise measurements of the phases of the moon, along with numbers that coincide with the orbits of Saturn and Venus. While we don't know a lot about the device other than speculation, many experts agree that Archimedes or a member of his school of thought developed what is commonly called the Antikythera mechanism. Though for that sake of this film, the evil Jurgen Voller believes that the device is a time machine that will help him go back in time and help the Nazis win the war with his advanced rocket knowledge earned through his assistance with NASA's Apollo project. 

To help defeat Voller's Neo-Nazis, Phoebe Waller-Bridge joins the franchise as Indy's goddaughter Helena Shaw. A lot was made to how she would be the female Indiana Jones in early press about her casting. A ton of fuss was made over the announcement. It's not like Indy was turning into a woman or anything like that. One thing the actress had that Harrison Ford didn't was that she was younger. A lot of the action and stunts were done by her instead of the 80 something Ford. It's kinda like how the character of Harry was added to the first year of the Fourth Doctor's run on Doctor Who. Initially, the producers weren't sure if Tom Baker would be up to all those stunts and so the younger Ian Marter was brought on board just in case. Hence, the addition of the much younger and not as ethical Helena to the film.

This isn't to say that Harrison Ford's older Indiana Jones doesn't get involved in fisticuffs against Nazis during World War II and 1969. CGI deaged Harrison Ford in an action packed opening scene that explains why Mads Mikkelsen's Jurgen Voller spends nearly 25 years searching for an ancient artifact that the average modern moviegoer knows nothing about. That scene set during the last days of Hitler's Germany also introduces Helena's father, Dr. Shaw, played by Toby Jones. It shows how Indy and Shaw developed a closeness to each other and stumbled upon part of the fabled Dial of Archimedes. Plus, fans are now introduced to Helena Shaw who wasn't even hinted about in any of the 4 previous movies.

A knowledge of the franchise is sorely needed. Especially if you are to believe that Indiana Jones can survive all these explosions and close calls. One has to remember that Indy once drank from the Holy Grail. Though Indy had to stay with the grail to become 100% immortal, his drinking from the cup bestows him not just longer life, but it also makes him a lot more durable than the average 70 year old (Indiana Jones' canon birth date is July 1, 1899). However, instead of Helena Shaw, couldn't we have gotten Key Hu Quan to return as Indy's Temple of Doom sidekick, Short Round? Or at least have him helping along with Shaw?

I think there was a lot of speculation that Phoebe Waller-Bridge would continue the Indiana Jones franchise as Helena Shaw. It definitely felt like this movie was a pilot to set her up as the heir apparent. While this 2023 film earned over $380 million, in this day and age, those numbers ranks Dial of Destiny as being a flop. I for one would like to see the franchise continue. Disney seems all about streaming right now. I'd be in Heaven with a series starring Short Round all grown up as an archaeologist in the 1970s. Maybe make it a team-up with Helena Shaw and her sidekick, the teen pickpocket Teddy. Key Hu Quan is a hot property once again thanks to winning that Oscar last year and I know for a fact my wife and I would watch it!

A lot to consider. 

This is the first Indiana Jones film to be made without Spielberg or Lucas being directly involved. Stephen Spielberg didn't even direct. Indy 5 was helmed by James Mangold. While Mangold tries to pepper in a ton of Easter eggs from the previous 4 films, the Young Indiana Jones Chronicles TV series and even some of the comics, Dial of Destiny lacks that magic of a Spielberg picture. This is probably why we never get Short Round in this movie. It's also why the film didn't have that staying buzz in the theaters after the first week. I think it needs to be a law: Only Spielberg can direct Indiana Jones movies.

For those of you who held off on going to the theaters for Dial of Destiny and aren't willing to subscribe to Disney+ in order to view it, this film is currently streaming on a few platforms, including YoutubeTV where I saw it.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

The Spirit Archives, Vol. 3

I could have finished this book in September. Only there was a Halloween story. So, I took a break until the week before All Hallow's. I read that seasonal tale and progressed until I hit the Thanksgiving story. Hitting the breaks again, this was my last Turkey Day read for 2023. I then kept reading until there came a Christmas caper! So I waited until I got a little bit closer to Santa's arrival. And then I forgot all about this book. 

I had picked up a collection of all of Will Eisner's Christmas Spirit stories. I think after I did the review, I probably got all mixed up in my head and combined that book with this one and just moved on. Thankfully, working on my comic book inventory and filing, I realized that I still had this book to finish. To my delight, I didn't mind all the delays because I really, really love The Spirit. 

This collection is early Will Eisner Spirit. At book's start, the Spirit has only been running in syndicated Sunday newspapers for a year. This edition marks the beginning of year 2 of the Spirit. Eisner's genius is showing through. However, many of those iconic villains have yet to be introduced yet. Arch-enemy, The Octopus and femme fatale P'Gell are about 5 years away from becoming a part of the Spirit's Rogue's Gallery. Childhood love turned law breaker Sand Sarif won't come back into the former Denny Colt's life for another decade. Despite some of these notable absences, there are still some memorable characters to be found inside.

The pint-sized P.S. Smith causes trouble for the Spirit and baddies alike for at least 2 hilarious stories. Spirit sidekick Ebony White has a number of misadventures with his cousin and other family members. And we can't forget Commissioner Dolan's daughter Ellen, who is madly in love with the Spirit. She works so freaking well as the Gal Friday and Kate Hepburn to the Spirit's Cary Grant/Spencer Tracy. But she's also great on her own; especially in a romp where Ellen joins an all-women's football team that's playing a team that is nothing but tough guys in drag attempting to beat the point spread!

By the start of break #1 in my reading of this book, I took to Amazon to buy up a couple more volumes. I knew that my wife wasn't going to get me these for my birthday or Christmas, so I was clear in buying up a couple of books. Thanks to remembering that I needed to review this collection, I went back to Amazon to snag a couple more. These Archive editions are not cheap. They retail for $49.99 and many are either out of print and that means whatever copies of those I manage to find are not cheap. But hopefully, I wind up with all 26 volumes and the complete run of original Will Eisner Spirit stories in my possession.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Donald Duck Adventures #38

Living legend William Van Horn crafts the cover feature in this 1996 issue of Donald Duck Adventures.

The story has Donald attending an auction. Most of the stuff is out of his price range, except for a tiny chest that sells for all of 50 cents. When Donald opens the chest back home, he discovers a medallion that bears a treasure map. Donald's nephews are able to determine that the map is of an area in Florida and the medallion was crafted by Spanish explorers in the 1500s. Spanish explorers might mean buried treasure of Spanish doubloons and precious stones.

So Donald and his nephews head down South where they learn that the medallion points to a fabled area of swamp called 'The Hauntland'. According to Native legend, a terrible horror haunts the swamp and locals swear to steer clear of it. Determined to find riches and glory, Donald presses on. Only he won't find buried treasure. What Donald will find is the discovery of the century and it was only several million years in the making. 

The next story again has Donald seeking riches. His new dog, a massive Saint Bernard, is eating him and the nephews out of house and home. When Donald learns of a money making opportunity back on Bear Mountain, he takes his dog up for a try out. As the last Saint Bernard was injured making a delivery run, Donald has his work cut out for him including an encounter with one of Bear Mountain's namesake grizzlies!

Both stories were great duck tales starring Donald Duck along with Huey, Dewey and Louie. However, this comic book does show a decline in quality. 1996 is just a few short months away from publisher Gladstone Comics' ultimate demise in 1998. One cost cutting measure taken by Gladstone was to replace the glossy paper of the cover with the same dingy newsprint used to make the interiors. The whole thing looks like those flimsy free comics you'd get as a kid at Shoney's or Red Lobster. Nostalgic, sure. But the stories in this issue deserved more respect.

The cover promises chills. Not very much a scary story as it's a fanciful story set in a spooky place. It's rather magical, honestly. And the back-up story was a hoot.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

The Adventures of Tintin: Prisoners of the Sun

Prisoners of the Sun picks up where The Seven Crystal Balls left off. Professor Calculus was kidnapped by members of an ancient Peruvian cult. Dressed in ceremonial garb, the cultists were recovering artifacts that an expedition team had removed from a sacred temple in Peru. Along the way, they find Calculus committing a blasphemy by wearing a consecrated bracelet the professor found. Kidnapping the professor, the worshipers head back to Peru, where they will ceremonially kill Calculus for his sacrilege. 

On their tail is Tintin, his faithful pup Snowy, Captain Haddock and the bumbling detectives Thomson and Thompson. Upon setting foot on South American soil, the rescuers are immediately on their own. But when Tintin defends a young boy being harassed by a pair of rough looking tourists, the young reporter makes a new friend who just happens to know the location of Professor Calculus' prison: the Temple of the Sun!

When I reviewed the previous book, I commented how Herge added all this extra stuff that unnecessarily stretched out The Seven Crystal Balls into a two-parter. Though I wanted to read the rest of the Tintin books, I was afraid that despite the variety of locales, each book was going to be a carbon copy of the previous edition. Prisoners of the Sun eased those fears. 

A trek through the Andes. Misadventure with astronomy. A mysterious plague. Mummified Peruvians. What more could you ask for?! Yes, Thomson and Thompson are the comic relief as usual. But they manage to up their buffoonery game each book. The absent-minded nature of Professor Calculus can get really annoying (Just ask Capt. Haddock.) But at least he's only in this thing for a few pages. 

Another fun adventure. Thrilling. A good length with a new character that I hope makes a return!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Gustav & Henri, Vol. 2: Tiny Aunt Island! (Family Comic Friday)

I got many laughs out of this trio of misadventures. 

Henri (short for Henrietta) is a genius. She is a brilliant inventor and tinkerer. Her best friend is Gustav. He is impulsive with a nose for finding grub. Despite getting his pal into mischief, Gustav is also an amateur sleuth!

In this, the second book in the series from Red Comet Press, the duo accidentally shrink themselves in an attempt to free the last piece of their puzzle that Gustav got stuck in the drain. While in the pipes under their house, the pair become the newest attraction of the Sew-seum, becoming captives of the sewer rats! 

Then on a rafting trip in the ocean, a giant monsoon sweeps Gustav and Henri off to a 'Desert Island'. As Gustav impulsively goes to find help, he gets stuck on the island's swamp, is nearly strangled by snakes and finds a strange cave with very messy stalactites. Meanwhile, Henri discovers that there's something kinda sweet about this place...

Finally, Henri receives a letter from her Aunt Norma. Only, the letter is completely unlike something Henri's relative would write. For one thing, Aunt Norma invites Henri to visit her house and Aunt Norma never invites anyone to her house! Fearing something is wrong, Henri and Gustav uncover clues on a global mystery to find the missing aunt!

I really enjoyed the heck out of this book. For one thing, I was ready to head back to my local library and find book 1. Unfortunately, I'll have to wait a while to read it as it was already checked out. Lucky family who are getting to enjoy Gustav & Henri instead of me...

There's a perfect witty banter between these two best friends. And there are so many neat elements hidden in the background of these stories that add to the adventures of Henri & Gustav into becoming like its own complete universe. Masters like George Perez, George Lucas and Frank Quitely have managed to perfect this sort of artform. I would like to say that writer Andy Matthews and artist Peader Thomas are a creative duo on the same level; even if the art and stories are geared for readers from grades 2nd-5th.

These stories were originally published in Australia by Hardie Grant Publishing. Other than a couple of the stories involving the beach and water fun activities, this book doesn't read like it's from Down Under. What I mean is that Aussies have a very distinctive vocabulary. For instance, they call sandwiches 'sangers' and the word 'dodgy' means complex and difficult. I'm not sure if the editing team at Red Comet Press edited things to not have such slang words or not. But this book is not one of those where a dictionary is needed in order to understand things. 

Absolutely hilarious. Brilliant ideas. Something the whole family will enjoy and want to read again and again. And with the aquatic and travelling themes of the stories, Tiny Aunt Island would make a perfect summer vacation read!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Blue, Barry & Pancakes, Book 5: Big Time Trouble (Family Comic Friday)

Blue is a worm. Barry is a frog. Pancakes is a bunny. Together, Blue, Barry & Pancakes are the best of friends.

In this latest adventure, Blue is all set to give a poetry reading to his friends and neighbors. Unfortunately, Blue has a major case of stage fright. Maybe if he had a special item like a lucky penny, Blur would have the courage to perform his show. 

Thanks to Barry's newest invention, a time-travelling helmet, the 3 friends go back in time to meet one of Blue's ancestors in hopes that the distant family member might have something special the nervous worm can use to battle the fears away. But when Blue learns that his all of his poet ancestors had special trinkets to provide them with luck, he's compelled to keep collecting charms from even more relatives. 

Before you know it, Blue has an entire collection of heirlooms. But he's got to have just one more; this time from a Great-Great-Great (okay, I'm gonna stop here, but there are a lot of greats) grandfather who lived during the time of dinosaurs. Once Blue gets that forefather's fetish, the pals can go forward in time, back to the poetry recital. There's only one problem: the giant prehistoric duck that is terrorizing Blue's caveman predecessor just broke Barry's time travel helmet, leaving everyone stuck in the very distant past!

Big Time Trouble is the 5th book in the Blue, Barry & Pancakes series. It's my first trip with these three friends. I just happened to stumble across this book as it was being displayed on the new release shelf of family friendly graphic novels at my local library. This book was hilarious. I laughed out loud several times. While I wasn't happy with the solution of how the three buddies get back to present day, this was a fantastic read. One of which really makes me want to read the other 4 books in the series. 

Real life BFFs Dan & Jason are the creative team behind this book. The duo did a fantastic job. The level of humor and camaraderie is on par with that of another creative duo, Art Baltazar and Franco! I really hope Dan & Jason achieve the same level of success as the Aww Yeah! inspired creative team of which I am a big fan of. 

With some fun & games and a craft activity at the end of this book, the enjoyment of Blue, Barry & Pancakes can continue long after the story is over. And with 4 other books in the series (thus far) families of all ages can keep the amusement going for quite a while. With these extras, parents and guardians of readers aged 5-9 should think of purchasing these books as a way to make the upcoming summer vacation season a time of enjoyment and learning--- while having a great time, of course!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Walt Disney's Donald Duck "The Old Castle's Secret": The Complete Carl Barks Disney Library Vol. 6

This Valentine's Day, I stopped by a local independent bookshop for an extra gift for my bride. I got her something. But I also ended up getting myself a treat. As I've mentioned before, I want the entire run of these books. But they are NOT cheap. The store I was at had a small used book section and they had a volume for a price that was just right for me!

Like with all of the other volumes in this series, despite the name of just 1 story, there are several adventures, shorts and one-page gags starring Donald Duck, his nephews and several others. During this period of time, Uncle Scrooge makes his first appearances after the holiday tale 'Christmas on Bear Mountain'. The title story has Scrooge in some financial trouble. So McDuck takes his nephew and his nephew's nephews to the family castle in Scotland to unearth a missing inheritance. With hints of the Hound of the Baskervilles and the William Castle feature 13 Ghosts, this is a classic horror mystery romp that I've read before. But that familiarity, my enjoyment wasn't lacking. Ironically, knowing what I do about the massive money bins owned by Scrooge McDuck, I don't see how the small chest of jewels the guys find would help the old miser out of any sort of money troubles.

This book also featured the debut of Donald Duck's familiar adversary for girlfriend Daisy's hand, Gladstone Gander. In these first couple of stories, Gladstone is that cousin who just gets under your skin. He keeps trying to one up you, so you boast back at him. Thanks to a stupid bet made on a hot July day, Gladstone's holiday appearance at Donald's home could mean that Donald and his nephews might end up homeless this Christmas. That is unless Donald will take a swim in the frozen pond behind his domicile.  

The other main treat of this book is the Western epic 'The Sheriff of Bullet Valley.' This is another work I've read before. But the nostalgia brought about from reading this as a little kid made my re-read all that much more special. Donald and the nephews are going on vacation when they stop in Bullet Valley. The community has been besieged by a dastardly cow rustler that everyone knows is guilty. They just can't figure out how the villain is changing the brands on the other ranch's cattle. Inspired by a slew of Westerns, Donald volunteers to save the day. In an episode that doesn't see Huey, Dewey and Louie coming to Donald's rescue, this is a very unusual and violent Disney story. Especially, since Donald gets shot and left for dead in this one!

Donald's nephews are quite the intrepid Junior Woodchucks who come to Donald's frequent rescue. They're still those mischievous scamps who try to outsmart their uncle for their own gain. Uncle Scrooge isn't yet the world's richest duck who neurotically fears everyone is trying to rob him. Gladstone gets under everyone's skin. But he's not the luckiest duck on earth yet. We get to see the early stories of Carl Barks' comic book career. Perfection hasn't yet been achieved. But, there's definite signs of genius throughout this amazing book!

I want more! 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Richie Rich: Vaults of Mystery #14 (2023 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

Richie Rich: Vaults of Mystery ran from 1974-1982 for 47 issues that were published on a semi-regular basis. The first 5 issues were known as Richie Rich: Vault of Mystery. But in an effort to remain consistent with the pluralization of the rest of the Richie Rich supplemental line, publisher Harvey Comics changed the title at issue #6. 

In this series, Richie Rich and his friends would solve mysteries that occurred in the community. Being one of the wealthiest families in the world, criminals would often try to steal something from Rich Manor. As a result, the Poor Little Rich Boy would be the one to play Sherlock Holmes and solve the mystery. In this series, Richie and his father would sometimes fund expeditions to mysterious and exotic locales. Mr. Rich would also fund the dynamic research of genius inventors and crackpots alike. These grants would sometimes bring nefarious elements out of the woodwork as it this case with this issue.

In this issue, a scientist develops a disappearing ray that would bring about the end of nuclear weapons. The scientist wants to give the very dangerous device to the United States government. But before he can do that, the researcher is killed by an unknown assailant.

To fulfill the inventor's dying wish, Mr. Rich promises to deliver the weapon to the authorities. However, the unseen criminals have no intention of letting the Pentagon receive such a destructive weapon. With bullets flying, Mr. Rich arms his staff including faithful butler Cadbury. Even the cook has a piece! The FBI brings their top man to assist in the delivery of the invention to the military. And Richie ends up a hostage in the hands of the gangsters!

Vaults of Mystery is unlike any Richie Rich title out there. Car Chases, kidnappings and theft are not unexplored territory for the Rich family. But to see Mr. Rich carrying AND shooting back as baddies! Cadbury too! If family dog Dollar was in this book, he'd probably be packing as well!

Fans note that this series was a bit more mature compared to the other Harvey Comics titles on the market. To have a character not just shot but to die at the hands of a sniper is something many readers of Richie Rich or many similar Harvey Comics publications just weren't used to encountering. Vaults of Mystery was an Comics Code approved title and regulations under the CCA were loosening when this book was published. Yet, the Harvey books are looked at as the stuff of the youngest of comics readers. It's all a bit unsettling and exciting at the same time. 

As for those vaults, this story does utilize them as a plot device. The device is placed in one of the Rich family vaults, under armed guard, until the G-Man arrives. Then when Richie is kidnapped, he's taken hostage in either the same strongroom or another similar locale on the estate. Nice to see that for at least 1 issue, the inside material matches the title of this book perfectly.

If all Vaults of Mystery issues are this much more mature in tone and action, then I want to read more of these!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Completing this review completes Task #43 (Something Bought From a Dollar Bin/Bargain Bin) of the 2023 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

The Official Jungle Jim by Alex Raymond Collection (Vol. 1)

Before creating his most popular character, the swashbuckling spaceman Flash Gordon, cartoonist Alex Raymond took readers to the deepest, darkest jungles of the Malay Peninsula. It is there that Jungle Jim Bradley took on poachers, pirates and deadly dames with the help of his trusty servant, Kolu. Jungle Jim wasn't just stuck to the rain forests of Asia. At least one story in this book is set in a British controlled Afghanistan. 

For some reason, I really thought Jungle Jim took place in Africa. With Kolu being black and some of the pirates in the very first story also being black, I would have lost money if you bet me that this series took place in South East Asia. Adding to the confusion is that the series of live-action films that starred Johnny Weissmuller (Tarzan) as Jungle Jim were all set in Africa. Heck, I would be willing to bet money that I've seen at least 1 Jungle Jim flick and mistakenly thought it was a Tarzan feature.

Alex Raymond's artwork is so distinctive. There's a Roman influence on the way the male characters appear. Strong noses. Thin eyes and even thinner hairlines. And chiseled physiques. As for the women, I get the strong sense that Dorothy Lamour was the inspiration to at least one of the female characters in this book.

The Official Jungle Jim by Alex Raymond Collection was Pioneer's only graphic novel sized collection of strips. The action stops in the middle of a story with nothing like a 'To be Continued' or any other claim to finding out more in the pages of another volume. This also happened with the Official Prince Valiant Collection Pioneer published at around the same time as this. Pioneer did release 17 comic book sized issues of strips, along with 1 annual. From what I can tell, this trade paperback collects at least the first 3 issues of the floppies series that ran from 1988-89. But as to whether that multi-year series managed to collect the entire story is another unknown to me.

That all being said, if I was to run across a nice collection of Alex Raymond Jungle Jim strips (for a nice price, mind you), I would definitely add it to my collection. The artwork was amazing. The stories were pretty good, despite being a tad dated and bearing norms and action that by 2020's standards are archaic. On at least 2 occasions, Jim slaps a female for getting too emotional. I see these books as historic documents of the 1930s time period full of artistic genius and flawed ideals of masculinity and Anglo-American Imperialism. But above all, I enjoy these books as they take me to corners of the world I've never visited; let alone knew existed.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Walt Disney's Donald Duck "A Christmas for Shacktown": The Complete Carl Barks Disney Library Vol. 112023 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

Despite this book's title, this is not strictly a holiday collection. 'A Christmas For Shacktown' is the 11th volume in Fantagraphics' extensive collection of works by Carl Barks. 

Carl Barks started his career with Disney as part of the animation department. Working as an 'in-betweener', Barks was involved in several early Donald Duck shorts including Donald's Nephews which saw the debut of Huey, Dewey & Louie in 1938.

Unhappy with the way animated films were made 'by committee' and deteriorated war-time work conditions, Barks quit working at Disney Studios in 1942. He then tried his hand at chicken farming. During this time, Barks' supplemented his agricultural income by taking on freelance assignments with Western Publishing. 1943's The Victory Garden would be the first of over 500 works during this period of his life that Barks would create for Western; which Fantagraphics is working to release a 30 plus volume library of. 

Along with A Christmas For Shacktown in which the citizens of Duckburg rally to make it a Merry Christmas for the residents of that city's slums, volume 11 includes several other classics. The Guilded Man sees Donald and his nephews heading to South America, seeking a rare stamp. The Bin on Killmotor Hill introduces readers to the security measures of Uncle Scrooge's fortress-like money bin. But perhaps the most well known story in this collection is 1952's The Golden Helmet which sees the fate of North America in the hands of Donald as he races for a Viking artifact hidden in the Arctic Circle!

As of now, 27 volumes of the Carl Barks Library have been released. While many fans are eagerly awaiting the final 4 volumes of the proposed 30 volume set, readers such as myself, are wondering what happened to volumes 1-4. According to the insert that lists the other books in the series, the Carl Barks Library began at Volume 5. A search of Fantagraphics' website unfortunately yields no answer to this mystery.

With an average cover price of $35, one hoping to collect the entire Carl Barks Library will shell out over $1000 when the entire set is released. Just because these books star funny animals, there's a level of sophistication to them. That's because Carl Barks treated his characters as human beings and on more than one occasion, the characters inside refer to themselves as humans: dogs and ducks alike! While child readers love the wacky characters and mix of zany and swashbuckling adventures, to adult readers, these stories come alive with inside jokes, clever puns and social themes such as the nuclear arms race and capitalism. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Completing this review completes Task #7 (Main Character is an Animal) of the 2023 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Edison Beaker, Creature Seeker: The Night Door (Family Comic Friday)

Edison Beaker is about to learn that there's more to the family business than getting rid of those pesky bugs. Edison's uncle is the owner of Creature Seekers. What appears to be your average extermination service is actually earth's last line of defense from dark creatures that sneak over from an alternate universe known as the Underwhere.

One night, Edison and his sister Tesla join their uncle on a call. When a dragon destroys the building their uncle is working in, the siblings learn that this isn't one of those standard pest control gigs. The Night Door that prevents an army of dark creatures from invading earth has been damaged and a mysterious orb that acts as a lock to the barricade has been stolen. 

With his sister and uncle kidnapped by the minions of the evil Baron Umbra, Edison must transverse the Underwhere in order to find the orb. Armed with the flashlight given to him by his missing father, Edison will take a dark and fanciful journey to find a way to save the earth, his family, and maybe himself!

It was the artwork that immediately caught my eye. By page 5, I really felt that creator Frank Cammuso's (Knights of the Lunch Table) style was influenced by Bill Waterson's iconic Calvin and Hobbes comic strip. After completing this book, I notice that one of the reviewers made the connection as well. So a big pat on the back for that.

I felt that the artwork on this graphic novel was so lively and fluid, I didn't think I was reading a book- I was watching an animated feature movie! The character of Uncle Earl just screamed the voice of Patton Oswalt. I couldn't really tell who the other characters voices were in my head. But the dialogue was so rapid fire and funny. 

I really enjoyed this 2018 release. A sequel dropped in 2019. I hope I can get my hands on that one because The Night Door left me wanting more- in a good way! I must know what happens next! 

Beautifully illustrated. Smartly and humorously written. And full of action and adventure!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Cardboardia: The Other Side of the Box (Family Comic Friday)

Cardboardia is a new graphic novel series for middle schoolers that shows a lot of promise. It follows 6 year old Pokey, her older brother and his two best friends as they travel through a discarded cardboard box into a magical realm made entirely of paper!

This first volume was really interesting to me because the creative team pulled a page from acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa's playbook. Just like in Kurosawa's Rashimon, the first 4 chapters of this book are told from the perspectives of the 4 students. While you think you understand everything that is going on from Pokey's perspective, it all changes when you experience the story from the other's POV. And for a middle school graphic novel, I thought that was really creative!

The multiple perspective plotting also helps this story stay fresh. The first volume isn't even 110 pages long and to tell this story from only one viewpoint would really dull the mystery that is buried deep inside the meaning of the story's title of CARDBOARDIA. There's a really popular children's book and movie franchise that I believe writer Richard Fairgray (Blastosaurus) and first time graphic novel illustrator Lucy Campagnolo take inspiration from. But I don't want to mention it as I think it was give away the big twist ending. 

I will say, while I liked the twist, (actually, I think there's 2 big twists) I was disappointed in the ending. That's because it ended with a "To Be Continued.' Established readers of my blog will know that I hate those kinds of endings, especially for kids. Back when I was a child who lived in a more rural area, it wasn't easy to go to a comic book store every month to get the next installment of a book. At least now with Amazon and Kindle, it's a little more accessible for kids to get the next chapter. Unfortunately, when it comes to Cardboardia Book 2, you'll have to wait until October to find out what happens next. 

Still, that's plenty of time to get your hands on this debut segment. And read it again and again and again. 'The Other Side of the Box' was imaginative, quirky, and a tad mysterious. Even though it's a book aimed at middle school readers, those in grades 4 and 5 should really enjoy this adventure book as well! 

Parents and guardians should enjoy it too as there's really nothing overly objectionable in this book. There's no fighting or violence. Just your normal squabbles between siblings. Pokey seems to have a warped sense of what her older friends talk about in their spare time. But it's more for laughs than the author attempting to be crude. 

Now, there is a creepy looking queen who might be a bit too scary for younger readers. Thankfully, she's not in the book for long. But her minions, who do have more presence in the story, are more comical than intimidating. 

Perhaps the biggest issue is the lack of respect the students seem to have for their teachers and principal. Though, again as those segments are told from the students' perspective, that insolence might be due to perceived hatred that all pupils feel from their instructors from time to time. But those parts of the story could be great talking points in order to help get kids back into the right mindset for the coming school year! 

An enjoyable read that takes inspiration from a wide variety of classic mediums that should thrill the entire family. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Wildflowers (Family Comic Friday)

 A terrible plane crash. A bevy of exotic flowers. And a man-eating dragon. 

Thus begins a mysterious, deserted island adventure of 3 sisters.

But don't let this intense description of this graphic novel scare you off. Wildflowers is one of the newest works by acclaimed Argentinian cartoonist Liniers. He crafted this work after inspiration hit when taking a photo of his 3 little girls in the Yucatan jungle. 

There's something really cool and interactive about this book. If you purchase the graphic novel via the Toon Books website, you'l get a free packet of wildflowers. So the young readers in your life can create their own island botanical garden as well! 

Wildflowers by Liniers is a very short and quick read for readers in first and second grade. The colorful artwork, the imaginative adventures and the witty dialogue between the siblings was just so great. 

Again, I know that when you hear about a plane crashing on a deserted isle and a fierce monster, you might be thinking can a 6 or 7 year old really read this? I promise you, this is not a kiddie version of LOST. I don't want to ruin the surprise ending to this book. But everything is age appropriate here.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.