Bullwinkle and Rocky #9 (2026 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

Though new episodes hadn't been produced in over 2 decades, Rocky and Bullwinkle saw a resurgence in the mid-1980s thanks to home video. Disney, of all companies, actually had distribution rights of the show through their sister company, Buena Vista Video. Suddenly, children born in the late 70s and early 80s could watch The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle any time they wanted. 

With parents in full nostalgia mode, they began purchasing the VHS formatted home entertainment to share with their children. Local TV stations took note and began picking up various incarnations of the animated series in heavy syndication. In 1986-87, I remember it being a big deal that Rocky and Bullwinkle were coming to a UHF band TV station in Fayetteville, NC. One hour blocks filled with special messages from Bullwinkle and his friends were peppered throughout the broadcast, along with special trivia contests and drawings for you prizes during the debut week. 

Marvel Comics took note of Rocky and Bullwinkle's revival and signed a franchise deal with Jay War Productions to produce a comic book. Originally published under Marvel's all-ages imprint Star Comics, Rocky and Bullwinkle soon switched imprints to the Marvel line up with issue #3, when the publisher shuttered the majority of the family friendly run of titles. 

This 1989 edition of Rocky and Bullwinkle would mark the debut of all-new adventures of not just the main stars, it would also see the first original adventures of Dudley Do-Right, Sherman and Peabody and Fractured Fairy Tales since 1964. However, due to a page count of only 28 pages, only 1 regular sized extra feature was possible. In this issue, in a story that doesn't seem from a traditionally known fairy-tale, an inept, bumbling King is saved from his scheming chief of staff by his own dumb luck. Then Bullwinkle returns for a 2-page adventure as resident Frostbite Falls genius, Mr. Know-It-All, showing readers what it takes to train to become a famous actor. For those of you wondering, what it takes is the ability to wash dishes and wait tables. The cover story is a two-parter, book-ending the issue. As Hollywood announces the disappearance of superhero costumes across Tinsel Town, Bullwinkle gets his chance to play his hero, the Masked Avenger: because he is the only one left in the world with his fan made outfit!

Dave Manak was the main writer for this issue. He also contributed some of the art, along with Ernie Colon. While Manak and Colon present screen accurate representations of the main characters, the supporting characters do not look in the style of series creator Jay Ward. Characters such as the original actor who plays the Masked Avenger and the King and his court look more like they were drawn as characters in a Flintstones or a Jetsons comic book. A.A. Perry wrote the Mr. Know-It-All episode.

Delightful fun. But it wouldn't last. This was the last issue published by Marvel Comics.

Completing this review completes Task #19 (Cartoon Comic Adaptation from the 1980s) of the 2026 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Damage Control (Series 3) #2 of 4

  I know that a couple of reviews ago, I said that Ernie Colon’s artwork in DC Series 2 #4 looked rushed and sloppy. Well, after the previous issues debacle with a new artist, I must say that the sketchy and rough art style of Ernie Colon was welcomed by to me with open arms.

In this issue, the crew of Damage Control is sent to Yankee Stadium with a report that a super villain has run amok and destroyed the place. Looking to prove that they are not drumming up business by wreaking havoc on the people of New York, John and Robin bring a detective with them. There, they happen to run into the Hulk! Only, Hulk isn’t there to tear up the place but he is hoping to making a killing if the Yankees can pull on off over the Red Sox! Huh?

This is a really bizarre issue that can only get weirder DC’s new intern, Robbie Baldwin (Speedball) calls up his buds The New Warriors to bring down the criminal syndicate known as Damage Control!

A fun filled issue that turns everything you know about the Hulk on its ear. A very funny issue that I think should be considered a classic. The imagination of Dwayne McDuffie is just full of surprises and he’s a master at crafting the adventures of Damage Control.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Damage Control (Series 2) #4 of 4

This issue closes the door on series 2. Will Damage Control be wrestled back from its new owners? Will the Big Apple be restored? Why is the Punisher still hounding Robin? More importantly, was does Nick Fury and SHIELD have to do with any of this?

I found myself both on the edge of my seat in suspense and laughing out loud at this issue. I enjoyed how it ended. I thought all of the plot lines were fairly well tied up. The only problem I would say with this issue is that the art was a little sloppy. I don’t know if Ernie Colon was rushing to finish this issue on time or what. Other than that, it’s a great issue.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Overall series rating: 8.0