Jughead's Time Police (2025 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

The concept of Jughead's Time Police debuted in the October, 1988 of Archie's Giant Series   (issue #590.) Created by Rich Margopoulos, Jughead is visited by Time Police Marshall January McAndrews, of which she calls Archie Andrews an ancestor. January tells Jughead that in the next few minutes, he's about to save the life of a Senator who will one day become President. However, a trio of literal time bandits are determined to change the future by stopping Jughead's rescue attempt. After a trip to the 29th Century, McAndrews and Jones stop the criminals and Jughead manages to save the politician in the nick of time.

The idea of Jughead travelling through time was a hot with readers. January would make a trio of reappearances, promoting Jughead into the Time Police and the 20th century team would eventually find a souped up version of his iconic beanie that would send him anywhere in the timeline as long as he thought about it really, really hard. 

In 1990, Jughead's Time Police would become its own self-titled bi-monthly series. Over the course of 6 issues, Jughead along with his fateful pup, Hot Dog would protect the timeline from villains out to change history, such as rogue Time Police officer, Morgan Le Fey, as well as clean up any messes accidentally left by Jughead. Often instead of saving the day by going back in time and causing a time paradox, Jughead would find a way to allow history to remain unchanged by cheating. For example, when Jughead saves Riverdale from a raging flood, he allows the Time Police of the future to think it still occurred by writing up a fake newspaper story about the aborted tragedy. 

Jughead's Time Police was the victim of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Cancelled after just a half dozen issues, Archie was grouped along with the stars of Harvey Comics and Disney as being 'baby comics.' The early 90s was a time of gritty, violent comic books and the youthful teens of Riverdale didn't fit the popular archetype. This was also the period of 1st issue frenzy among speculators who would drive the comic book industry to near collapse. A Jughead's Time Police #6 couldn't stand up to a Jim Lee illustrated X-Men #1 or the Death of Superman. 

In an editors column from issue #3, editor Scott Fulop bemoans the lack of love the time travelling antics of Jughead was receiving. Fulop mentions that he's yet to receive a single letter praising the new book while the original stories of 'World of Jughead' that appeared in Archie Giant Series had been getting fantastic responses from readers. 

While Jughead's Time Police failed to find an audience, the series did like many failed masterpieces do over time; it became a cult classic! Chip Zdarsky, who grew up reading the short-lived series, revived the concept in the 2nd issue of the 2015 reboot of Jughead; although it's up for interpretation whether Jughead really went forward in time or if he just dreamed of it during a session of detention. In 2019, Jughead's Time Police would officially become a part of Archie's 'New Riverdale' universe; boasting a more modern art style and serious themes for its characters.

Featuring reprinted material from:

• Archie Giant Series #590. #602
• Jughead #14, 18
• Jughead's Time Police #1-6
• Jughead, Volume 2 #2

Completing this review completes Task #15 (An Archie Comic) the 2025 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Showcase Presents: The Atom, Vol. 1 (2024 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

When scientist Ray Palmer witnesses a meteorite crash on the outskirts of his hometown of Ivy Town, the event changes his life forever. Palmer determines that the fragment is part of an exploded white dwarf star. After several months of experiments, Ray makes a specially designed lens out of the material. When using light to focus the radiation from the meteor, it shrink objects down to about 6 inches in size. Unfortunately, after a few minutes, the shrunken item will inexplicably explode.

One afternoon, while spelunking a nearby cavern, a cave-in occurs, trapping Ray Palmer and some undergrads. Ray finds a escape. Only he's too big to make it through. Thankfully, Ray has his special lens with him and using sunlight pouring through the opening, Palmer is able to reduce his size and to create an escape for him and his students.

After the cave-in, Palmer develops a suit out of the remaining white dwarf material that allows him to shrink without becoming a human grenade. Palmer also equips the suit with a special control dial that not only shrinks him down to microscopic size, but controls his density. Now going by the name, the Atom: the World's Smallest Superhero, Ray Palmer fights crime with an ulterior motive - love. 

Ray's girlfriend, Jean Loring, is an aspiring lawyer. She refuses to accept Ray's many marriage proposals until she can make her name as a top defense attorney. Thus Ray will assist Jean secretly as the Atom in hopes that she'll eventually say yes. In order to finally obtain an 'I Do' from Jean Loring, the Atom will fight an assortment of small time crooks and advanced super villains. 

The Atom's early Rogue's Gallery will include the Floronic Man, Jason Woodrue, master of luminescence, Doctor Light and the time manipulating criminal known as Chronos. Sadly, Ray's relationship with Jean Loring and his battles with Doctor Light only happen to dredge up painful memories to devoted readers of the Atom, as later in pages of Brad Meltzer's Identity Crisis, the two characters in the Atom's life will be responsible for the tragic death of fan-favorite character, Sue Disney.

The Atom was created by Gardner Fox, who frequently claimed that his ideas came to him in his dreams. A legacy character, the Atom was a Silver Age re-imagination of a diminutive powerhouse member of the Justice Society of America with the same name. The Silver Age character was designed by Gil Kane with Ray Palmer's features based on Hollywood actor Robert Taylor in his younger days. The Atom debuted in the September/October, 1961 issue of Showcase. The Atom would star in issues #34-36, before being awarded his own title in the summer of 1962. 

The first of two volumes of Showcase Presents featuring the Atom; this collection was published in 2007. It collects those trio of appearances in Showcase along with the first 17 issues of The Atom. Readers will delight in the hero's first of many iconic team ups with Hawkman. The Atom also has meetings with several important historical figures in a series of time traveling adventures. Referred to as ' Time Pool Stories ', the Atom frequently traveled through a time vortex, unbeknownst to a colleague of Ray Palmer's. In the past, the Atom would assist Henry Hudson, Edgar Allen Poe and others as the pint-sized hero solved some of history's greatest mysteries.

Gardner Fox wrote all of the scripts with Gil Kane as sole artist. Duties on inker were primarily achieved by Murphy Anderson, with Sid Greene as a substitute.

Completing this review completes Task #34 (Written by Gardner Fox, Gil Kane or George Tuska) of the 2024 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Super Powers #5

Superman and Firestorm have actually succeed in destroying the Doom Seed in Italy. The secret is to not travel back to the present day via the pod. However, Darkseid's plan can still work if 4 of the seeds survive. Thus it's up to Batman, Robin and The Flash to eliminate another seed. It's a good thing that the Flash can build up enough speed to travel through time. Only, their trip through time will be anything but a cake walk as instead of going into the past, the heroes wind up in the future; one where Darkseid has conquered the Earth. 

Having the Man of Steel and the Nuclear Man killing one of the seeds adds an element of suspense to this issue. Without the plot device of needing 2 of the 5 seeds to be deactivated, anything Batman, Robin and the Flash do in this issue would be moot points. It still doesn't really matter as there is still 1 issue left of this miniseries. 

One thing I am missing from this volume as opposed to the previous Super Powers comic are the original quartet of villains. I really would like to see the Joker, Penguin, Lex Luthor and Brainiac involved somehow. However, since we saw them on the side of the heroes by series end, I think Darkseid would just smite them with his Omega Beams if he saw those 'traitors' again. Plus, having the 4 villains teaming once again with the Justice League would have diminished that awesome twist. Still, by not having some Earth bound DC villains in this book, whether they were figures in the Kenner toy line-up or not, takes away from the childlike wonder of the Super Powers brand. 

As much of a fan of Kirby's Fourth World, the biggest misstep in the short history of Super Powers was focus on Darkseid and his forces instead of producing more recognizable and more relatable baddies like Catwoman, Sinestro and Bizarro. Had the focus been different, we probably would be seeing the line run another 3 or 4 more years. Not creating all-new characters for the toy line was misstep #2. More on that when I review Volume 3!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Quantum Leap #3

Thanks to printing delays beyond the publisher's control, fans of the original Quantum Leap TV series got a Christmas comic book. Well, they got half of one. 

Sam leaps into the body of a department store Santa during Christmas of 1963. The nation is reeling from the assassination of JFK and the families of this small town USA in which Sam Beckett has arrived at, could use a little holiday magic in their lives. According to Ziggy, the Project Quantum Leap super computer which calculates the probabilities of why Dr. Beckett has leapt where he did, believes that Sam must restore the relationship between a workaholic father and his teenaged daughter who lost her faith in Christmas after the tragic death of her mother. However, Sam's mission has gotten a little bit tougher as the dad has just been arrested for embezzling from the department store. 

The second story isn't set during the holidays. It's the early 1970s at MIT, Sam's old Alma Mater. He leapt into the body of the boyfriend of the scientist whose doctoral thesis will inspire Sam to create Project Quantum Leap. Unfortunately, Sam's recent actions have led to the couple breaking up. Al, the holographic observer for the project, informs Sam that he must thread lightly at his next steps. For if Sam can't get the two lovebirds to reunite, their rift threatens to create a paradox in which the research that inspired Quantum Leap never takes place; leaving Sam trapped in the past forever!

Not 100% Christmas. But there was a huge amount of holiday cheer in that first story to make up for that. Plus an amazing painted cover of poor Santa Sam having to deal with some unhappy tykes waiting to visit him. Also, the whole idea that the man whom Sam leaps into might actually be Santa was so adorable. The story ends before we find out for sure if he really is St. Nick. However, it's probably best that that plot point is left ambiguous lest the magical element of this story be ruined.

For a Quantum Leap fan wanting a holiday comic book, this 1992 offering shouldn't disappoint. I just wish that the second story was also set at Christmas. The creators should have kept the story as it was. Just set it during the month of December in order to make this a complete Christmas comic. Well, it's too late to change anything now.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Ant-Man: Ant-iversary

Dr. Henry Pym, Scott Lang and Eric O'Grady are plucked from the time stream to battle a futuristic version of an enemy so unthinkable, that I wouldn't believe it if I didn't see it myself. 

In this 60th anniversary epic, readers are treated to 3 untold tales of the trio of men to bear the moniker of Ant-Man. Pym is removed during the dawn of the Marvel Age of Comics just as he is fighting a quartet of some of his not-so-well-known foes from the 1960s. O-Grady is sent into the future right after he steals the Ant-Man suit from Pym, who is working for SHIELD at the time. Lang's story occurs during the present of 2022, right after the Avengers stop Ultron for the umpteenth time. 

Tom Reilly is the main artist for this tribute to Ant-Man. Yet, if you were to tell me that he had help from an assortment of other artists, I'd believe you. Reilly changes his style to reflect the time periods in which each Ant-Man exists. It's a level of dedication (and nostalgia) that I greatly appreciate. Story writer Al Ewing also tries to differentiate his narrative voice which each time period. I just didn't feel that he was as effective as Tom Reilly was in making things feel as timely. Although, how he presents the Marvel Universe in the future of 2549 A.D. feels like how comics and literature in general is going, what with the near ubiquitous use of emojis, tech-speak and the removal of letters from everyday words.

There's also a pair of classic Ant-Man stories from the early 1960s. Hank Pym takes on the Protector and the Time Master in those reprint tales. Both villains are part of the team of 4 that take on the original Ant-Man at the beginning of this anniversary miniseries. While nowhere near on par with the likes of other classic Ant-Man foes like Egghead or Kang the Conqueror, I loved getting to see these vintage tales in vibrant color. I've always admired the Ant-Man and later Giant Man tales as his stories were more scientific in nature like those of the Barry Allen Flash and needed the use of his brain a lot more than his brawn. 

There's also a Wasp miniseries floating around. That 4-issue mini came out earlier this year. Based on how similar that cover to those books looked to the Ant-Man stories, I researched and found that Al Ewing and Tom Reilly were the creative forces behind that project as well. One way or another, I must get my hands on it. If it's half as good as this book was, then I am in for a treat!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

The Flash (2023)

It's June 26th, 2023 when I write this. It's just too early to go into too much detail about the newest DC Comics based film, The Flash. If I was to dig too deep into my review, I would spoil countless plot surprises, Easter eggs and cameos. 

Here's what I do feel safe in revealing: 

• It was so much fun!
• Now this is how you do a live action retelling of Geoff John's Flashpoint!
• You will believe that a Maid of Might can be a brunette!
• Michael Keaton steals the entire film!
• The use of Danny Elfman's timeless score brought back nostalgic memories of 1989 and 1992!
• I love the twist on a couple of Elseworlds classics by having
  WARNING: REDACTED!!!!!

What I really want to talk about is where are the movie goers? I've heard reports that The Flash is a box office bomb. In terms of what my god son and I spent about 2.5 hours watching, I completely disagree with that statement. That being said, at the 1pm showing today there were a grand total of 2 people watching the movie- my god son and me. 

Really, I don't think it's DC and Warner Bros. who are to blame. There were maybe a dozen other viewers at the theater we went to and the complex has at least 7 other screening rooms. It was literally a cinematic ghost town over there and I feel that prices are to blame.

2 tickets were $13.00 total. The nacho combo, 2 Reese's Pieces and a small drink was $34.50! I don't think director Andres Muschietti has a bomb on his hands. I think it's just too expensive to go to the movies!

Some analysts have suggested that actor Ezra Miller's off-screen antics, including charges of kidnapping, allegations of grooming and a temper that would make Sean Penn look tame is to blame for The Flash's poor performance. I'll admit, those actions did run through my mind a couple of times watching the film. However, I also feel that Cancel Culture is dangerous and completely against my religious and personal beliefs 

Yes, I have gotten caught up in the fervor. I see an actor getting in trouble with the law and I immediately think- 'Well, he's cancelled.' But I also live in total fear in my teaching job that one day a false accusation will result in my being blackballed from ever getting a decent paying salary ever again. I also know that the human race is flawed. Nobody is perfect. There's a difference between making a mistake and being forgiven and trying to prevent a monster from roaming the streets free at night to ruin countless lives. Ezra Miller claims he sought treatment and therapy and I believe that I would be wrong to not give the guy another chance as I surely would want grace in my imperfect life.

Another possible reason the film isn't doing so well in theaters is the toxicity of the DC Comics fan base (Heck, it could comic book fandom as a whole). I've seen some postings that real DC fans aren't going to see in the movie. I've read that those who hate the Snyder-verse are boycotting this film. And that there's a pushback from some fans pissed off about James Gunn being the new head of the DC Cinematic Universe. As the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy director basically had nothing to do with this film, I think that last excuse is ridiculous. 

Like I mentioned earlier, it's June 26th. The Flash came out 10 days ago. Why did I wait until now? Was I one of the toxic few? Nope. It just happened to my god son went to Florida to visit his mom and I was on a family vacation at the beach during opening weekend. We had to wait until our schedules gelled. Some DC fans might still be mad at us for waiting until now. But that's their problem. 

I loved this movie. It was almost perfect. The only issue was how fake some of the CGI looked. Especially when Flash goes into the Speed Force to change time and save his mom from being murdered. I'm also not a big fan of how all super hero films like to use slow-mo when doing big impressive feats of heroics. But in the case of The Flash, it actually was appropriate and in a major scene at the beginning when Flash is saving some patients at a hospital, it was freakin' hilarious. 

An immediate classic, regardless of what critics and the box office says.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Quantum Leap #13 (2023 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

"Theorizing that one could time travel within his own lifetime, Dr. Sam Beckett stepped into the Quantum Leap accelerator and vanished. 

He awoke to find himself trapped in the past, facing mirror images that were not his own and driven by an unknown force to change history for the better.

His only guide on this journey is Al, an observer from his own time, who appears in the form of a hologram that only Sam can see and hear. And so, Dr. Beckett finds himself leaping from life to life, striving to put right what once went wrong and hoping each time that his next leap will be the leap home."

This was the introduction to the classic 90s sci-fi series Quantum Leap starring Scott Bakula as Beckett and Dean Stockwell as Al. Created by Donald P. Bellisario, Quantum Leap ran for 97 episodes (including a 2-hour pilot movie) on NBC for 5 seasons from 1989-1993. 

In this time travel based series, Sam Beckett traded lives of an assortment of people. During his adventures through time, Sam would become a woman, an elderly black man, a Navy Seal, a minor league baseball player, a young man with Down Syndrome and the notorious Kennedy assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald.  Every life that Sam took control over, he would have to correct some sort of mistake in the time line in order to get closer to going back home to his time period of year 1999.

From 1991-93, Innovation Publishing produced 13 comics based on Quantum Leap. The premise of unique circumstances behind Sam's leaps continued with the time traveller switching places with a death row inmate, part of a pair of identical twins and a department store Santa in the series' lone holiday comic. Issue #13 was to be released as a one-shot special titled 'Time and Space'. However, due to production delays, this project became what would be the series' final issue documenting Sam Beckett's 1963 experience of leaping into an extraterrestrial aboard an honest-to-god UFO.

Issue #13 ended with a soft cliffhanger. After saving a human couple who were abducted by the aliens, Sam leapt into the body of a toddler. Issue #14, which was titled 'Two Dweebs and a Little Monster', was to be the first of a 3-part trilogy in which Sam leapt into the bodies of youngsters. The first chapter would have Sam's host being kidnapped by a pair of bumbling brothers seeking to sell the child to baby brokers. But with NBC cancelling Quantum Leap and Innovation founder David Campiti's departure leaving the company in disarray, the comic adaptation was sacked. A promised annual with Sam leaping into the body of a heart surgeon in the middle of an operation with his patient flat-lining on the table, was also cancelled. 

The biggest problem of Quantum Leap wasn't the fan base. They were loyal and vocal. Even through season 4, some episodes drew audiences of up to 18 million viewers. NBC just didn't have faith in the show. The home of the peacock changed Quantum Leap's schedule 8 times in the show's 5 year run! Thus a major complaint from the fans were that they never could find the show!

The plug was finally pulled by NBC execs on May 5, 1993. In the episode titled 'Mirror Image', Sam leapt into his body. Only, he didn't return to his time period. Instead, Sam found himself in a bar in Western Pennsylvania on the exact day and time he was born. Facing a bartender who claims to be in control of Sam's leaps, Dr. Beckett is given a choice of going home or correcting the biggest mistake of his time travel career. Ultimately, Sam leaps to the 1960s, informing Al's then wife Beth, that Al is alive and imprisoned in a Vietnamese POW camp.

As a result of Sam's sacrifice, history is changed. Al and Beth remain married upon Al's freedom. The couple wind up having 4 daughters, one of which would be involved with Project Quantum Leap. Dr. Sam Becket (sic) never returned home. 

Speak about fan outrage! NBC received countless phone calls requesting at a chance to bring Sam home. A letter campaign was launched. For decades, Scott Bakula teased fans with hints of a feature-length movie to bring Sam Beckett home. Finally in 2022, the Quantum Leap project was revived, ironically on NBC. Only, Bakula was a no-show and sadly Dean Stockwell had passed away the year prior.

The spirit of Al Calavicci is alive and well in the new series as the backstory of the reboot tells of how Al never stopped searching for his friend. As mentioned earlier, daughter Janis, would have a troubled relationship with project coordinator Magic Williams; the now older Navy Seal that Sam had leapt into. Though new leaper Dr. Ben Song went back through the Project Quantum Leap accelerator to save his fiancee from an evil leaper, season 2 provides hope that Ben might run into Sam Beckett before returning to 2022 California. Right now, Scott Bakula denies being involved with the reboot. But Leap fans can dream. 

And yes, while I realize NOW that I read this book previously, I actually don't remember it! So, is it really a re-read???

Script by Christine Elaine Hantzopulos. Art by Luke Ross. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Completing this review completes Task #23 (A Time Travel Story) of the 2023 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

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.

Muppet Babies #7 (2023 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

Jim Henson's Muppet Babies was an animated Saturday morning TV show that aired on CBS from 1984-1991. The series marked the first time that Henson's trademarked puppets appeared in animated form. Whereas Sesame Street focused on education and the more adult The Muppet Show was a tribute to vaudeville and variety shows, Muppet Babies was all about wonder!

Baby versions of Kermit, Fozzie, Gonzo and Miss Piggy used their imaginations to make-believe their way through a nursery full of fun. Adventures included a trip to the zoo, adventures through their favorite story books and visits with their future selves as Hollywood stars! Just as with the other Muppet shows, music was a big part of the show with at least 1 big musical number per episode. Over the span of 8 seasons, 107 episodes aired.

One thing that made the Muppet Babies different from other cartoons was how it integrated live-action material. For example, on at least 3 occasions, Gonzo or one of the other characters would open the closet door to their nursery to reveal a roaring TIE fighter from the Star Wars franchise. Clips of Darth Vader, Slimer from Ghostbusters and famous celebrities of the day would appear in unusual places in the nursery, interacting with the ingenious tykes. 

Many of the characters from the Muppet Show would appear as younger animated versions of themselves. Curmudgeons Statler and Waldorf would visit as the uncles of the babies' unrevealed Nanny, voiced by TV's Mrs. Cleaver, Barbara Billingsley. Other voice talents included Howie Mandel (St. Elsewhere), Dave Coulier (Full House) and Frank Welker (Scooby-Doo) A pre-teen Janice from Doctor Teeth and the Electric Mayhem Band would babysit when Nanny needed a night off. Kermit's nephew Robin would stop by as a tadpole nestled within a tiny glass bowl. And play dates, such as the one that occurs in this issue, would be scheduled with youngsters such as Bunsen and Beaker.

The single story of this issue starts off with Fozzie running some of his jokes by the rest of the Muppet Babies when Bunsen and Beaker arrive for another day of fun. Bunsen notices that everyone knows Fozzie's stand-up routine by heart. So the aspiring junior scientist offers Fozzie an experimental hat that will help the comedic bear think up some more jokes. Unfortunately, Bunsen gave Fozzie his experimental time travel hat. 

Flying backwards through time, Fozzie keeps running into his ancestors and ruining their punchlines! Join Fozzie and his Muppet buddies as they learn about comedy from the time of Napoleon to Hannibal's crossing of the Alp and ultimately; the prehistoric era!

The Muppet Babies comic book was part of Marvel's Star Comics imprint for young readers. The comic book ran bi-monthly from 1985-89 for 26 issues. The last 9 issues were Marvel releases as Star Comics was shuttered by May of 1988. In 2018, Disney rebooted Muppet Babies as an all-new computer generated series. The new version aired on Disney Junior until 2022 with a total of 71 episodes. 

Muppet Babies #7 was written by Stan Kay (Planet Terry). This issue was penciled, inked and colored by Marie Severin (Spoof).

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Completing this review completes Task #17 (A Star Comic: Marvel Imprint) of the 2023 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

DC Special #27

In a story that takes place simultaneously in the prehistoric past, modern day 1977 and the year 2056, a series of events are conspiring to destroy the very fabric of space and time. The time travel villain Chronos is releasing dinosaurs into the 20th Century in hopes of keeping a pair of intergalactic time cops busy while the fiend goes back in time to steal a comet from a race of dino-people!

Oh my god was this story a jumbled mess...

I've not really been a fan of the character of Captain Comet. In my opinion, DC needs to stay away from mutants. That's Marvel territory. To me, he seems like a second rate Man of Tomorrow.

Now the presence of Silver Age fixture Tommy Tomorrow in this story with the added mix of time travel- that's DC's bread and butter! And that part of the story comes along fine. Having Captain Comet and Hawkman tackle some time displaced thunder lizards was a lot of fun. Having a Jurassic age race of dinosaurs who worship a giant comet is really stupid. The addition of Chronos was fun and his diversion was rather smart. But there's a ton of stuff going on here and 34 pages just isn't enough room to get it all in. 

DC's answer man, Bob Rozakis, penned this story. I think if he was allowed to have a 2-parter, this would have been a much better story. But 1977, when this story was published, was during the dawn of the DC Implosion of titles. So the publisher was doing everything it could to get works published during a time when sales were at a near all-time low without sacrificing titles. Hawkman and Superman as members of the Justice League are in this story. And the JLA satellite is a setting that bookends this book. Why couldn't they have added a couple of more Leaguers and made this a two-part Justice League of America story? It would have worked, I tell ya!

It's not for me to question why DC did what it did. This was a dire financial time for the company that only a 1978 live-action feature of the Man of Steel would solve. But the possibilities of what if are just mind boggling. Oh, wait- What If... that's Marvel territory. Oops...

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Chilling Adventures Presents: Archie's Weirder Mysteries #1

Just as 1999 was turning into the year 2000, Pax TV was airing an animated series based on the Archie Gang. Called Archie's Weird Mysteries, the cartoon focused on B-grade movie monsters, ghosts, and Dilton's science projects gone wrong. While the series spawned a comic book, Archie's Weird Mysteries was more of a spiritual relative of an early 1990s Archie Comics cult fav of mine, Dilton's Strange Science.

Jump to 2022 and Archie's Weirder Mysteries has returned. Only instead of being an all-ages affair, this one-shot special is set firmly in the mature rated Archie Horror universe of titles. 

There are 3 stories in this special. First up is Betty, Monster Hunter. Though this time after finding a crashed flying saucer, Betty is now an Alien Hunter. That's because one of the occupants of the UFO is missing! Evidence points to the creature being a shape-shifter. So when Betty goes to Pop's Choc'lit Shoppe accusing everyone of being an alien in hiding, nobody bats an eye...

The second story stars Dilton and Ethel as they travel back in time to 1990s era Riverdale. More on that one a little later. The final adventure is set about 50 years in the future. Josie of Pussycats fame, seems to haven't aged a day. This really bugs the heck out of rival Alexandra Cabot and prompts the now middle-aged rich b*tch to seek ways to recapture her lost youth.

The Betty story was great. I've not read any of the series starring this version of her and in the past, hadn't had any desire to do so! Not anymore!

The Ethel and Dilton story was really good. Though I wasn't a fan of how Dilton looks like a muscular jock instead of a wimpish nerd. However, having the duo go back in time to visit the parents of Archie, Betty and Veronica was really intriguing. There was an element of the cult film Empire Records to this story and I'd be all for Archie Comics doing a limited series about the life and loves of the parents when they were the age of their current children. 

The Josie story appeared to be a sequel of sorts to the Ethel and Dilton tale. That's because both stories involve a physician by the name of Dr. Masters; a creep interested in eternal life-stretching medical techniques. I wasn't familiar with this guy. But a quick Google search revealed that he was the start of his own Archie Comics drama series in the 1960s. As short lived as it was, I loved how Archie Comics still tries to keep it's legacy characters, alibeit EVER so minor, around for a good yarn or two.

A fun read. With mature language- I didn't know Betty could say the word 'shit'!?- some blood and gore and possibly a little sex, this is a one-shot Halloween time fun ride that is NOT for kids!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Jughead's Time Police

After getting to preview the first issue of Jughead's Time Police in 2019, I had every intention of getting the rest of the series. Just for one reason or another, I didn't follow up. COVID had a little bit to do with it. But the majority of this miniseries came out before March of 2020. I guess I just got distracted or forgot about it all together until I saw the trade paperback at my local library. 

When I reviewed the first issue, I gave it 10 stars. Writer Sina Grace (Iceman) had crafted a very intriguing opening segment that blended modern Archie Comics with the original Jughead's Time Police series. The premier issue had Jughead being summoned to the future by a member of the time cops to help save the very fabric of space time. Once in the future, things get kinda wonky. 

There's an evil Jughead who wants to become the ruler of all reality. In order to do this, the evil Juggie has to get rid of the Jughead who features as the main character of this story as he's kinda like 'Jughead Prime'. For about 2 issues, the ultimate enjoyment I had from issue #1 had dwindled. The quantum physics behind this evil Jughead P. Jones was more mind-boggling with its time paradoxes than the plot of Back to the Future, Part II. Plus, I just felt that such a motivated and evil version of Jughead was impossible- even in the multiverse!

As the good Jughead is chased throughout time and space, things start to pick up. Since the editors themselves spoil the big plot twist on with the blurbs on the back cover, along with a couple of images from the story placed at the beginning of this volume, I'm just going to go ahead and say it: we get a Crisis on Infinite Riverdales with dozens of Jugheads through time and space and alternate earths coming together to defeat the evil Jughead. 

Bringing multiple incarnations of characters together has become the most common plot point used by just about every pop culture franchise there is right now. Star Trek. Power Rangers. Ghostbusters. And especially DC and Marvel have been trolling the multiverse for big bucks and ratings. It's starting to get a little boring. But if it can be done well, I'll still stay on the band wagon. While the reboot of Jughead's Time Police took a detour into implausibility, the story got on the right track for the epic grand finale. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

The Adventures of John Blake: Mystery of the Ghost Ship (Family Comics Friday)

A little background before I get into this review. I found this book on the young readers book shelf at my local library. It was on display for some holiday or theme. I forget the reason, honestly. Anyways, the image of the ghostly ship and promise of a time travel adventure is what drew me in. I had no idea who the author was and I wasn't 100% sure it was the first book in a series or now. But I liked what I saw and so I checked it out.

A few days later, the local radio show I listen to mentioned the author and the film The Golden Compass as the answer to a trivia question. It was at this point I realized just who Philip Pullman was! While I've never read any of Pullman's previous works, I knew that the British author was rather critical of religion to the point members of my church or maybe my mother-in-law's deemed his books unreadable. 

While I have retained this library book for a few weeks, I debated over whether to read and later review this book or not. I didn't want to read something that hates my savior, Jesus Christ. But I also felt that I needed to research Pullman's beliefs about Christianity before passing judgement on this book. So I read up some of him and came to feel that while I don't agree with his views on God/Christ/The Bible, I wouldn't deny him the chance to say it- as long as Philip Pullman allows me to have my views. First Amendment Rights, Baby!

I was also a bit concerned about making parents upset about reviewing and possibly promoting a book from such a controversial writer. But after thinking about it, I realized that I didn't start Family Comic Friday to ban books but to help parents and guardians navigate the tricky road that is all ages comics and graphic novels. So as long as there wasn't something evil to the level of demon possession or those kind of horror films, I would give The Adventures of John Blake a read.

Now my review...

The Adventures of John Blake is about the title hero, a young boy who finds himself stranded on an 1920s era ocean steamer that roams through the seven seas of the past, present and future. A shadowy billionaire is aware of the reports of a time-travelling ship. This magnate is the creator of a pervasive piece of social media tech. It is the tycoon's hope to discover the secret of John Blake's ability to time travel, in order to complete his goal of global domination!

Meanwhile in the modern day, a family takes a gap year to sail around the world. During a maelstrom, one of the children is knocked into the swirling Pacific Ocean. To the rescue is John ,who fishes the young girl out of the ocean just before the boat treks once more through a time warp. Now stuck in the distant past, this young girl must battle pirates, the elements and time itself in order to get back home!

I really thought that this book was great. It's just not for kids. Well, young kids, at least. There's mild swears, killing and violence galore. I just don't see this as being for Amazon's recommended audience of 8-12 years old. I think even with the college level of technobabble about time travel and quantum physics, I'm not sure if a lot of 12 year olds will enjoy this book. But a reader aged 15 or older will probably be all over this book. 

As for my fear of this Phillip Pullman work being anti-Christian, there was nothing to fear. If anything, The Adventures of John Blake is Pullman's dissertation warning against the dangers of social media. Instead of Jesus Christ, I see Elon Musk or Mark Zuckerberg being the objects of scorn in this book.

This is the first appearance of John Blake in any medium. But with this book having been published in early 2017, I'm not sure if there will ever be a follow-up. True, the pandemic has thrown everything for a loop. But considering that most young adult series have a new release every year to 18 months in order to maintain an active readership, waiting 5 years in between releases seems to indicate that Mr. Pullman doesn't have any plans to follow-up with further adventures of young John Blake.

A great book that showed promise for more. It's just unlikely we'll ever see a book 2.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars. 

The Time Museum Book 1 (Family Comic Friday)

Written and Illustrated by Salt Water Taffy's Matthew Loux, The Time Museum was one of the most refreshing and brilliantly smart graphic novels for older elementary school grade readers that I have read in a very long time. 

In the debut book, young Delia Bean has just learned that her beloved Uncle Lyndon is actually a time traveler. The founder and curator of the Time Museum, it's Lyndon's job to prevent tears in the space-time continuum from destroying time itself.

Seeing promise in Delia's abilities, the youngster is chosen to participate in the Time Museum's intern program. But first, she must earn a spot against 5 other candidates in a trio of tests arranged throughout history, past and future!

During her tests, Delia meets another time traveler. A mysterious man who calls himself the Grey Duke. Is he friend or foe? Or maybe a little of both? 

I completely loved this book. The characters are perfectly written. The concept is creative and there are a bunch of mysteries that I must know the answers to! And I love the relationship, albeit ever so cautious, between Delia and the Grey Duke. It's a lot like the one between the Doctor and River Song. Now, I'd go more in depth on this. But I am afraid I'd spoil things. True, this book was written in 2017. But I would hate to spoil the surprises in this amazing story.

Being a book from 2017 is also a downside to me. Thankfully, there is a book 2 out there for me to read. But that book dropped in 2019. It's 2022 and I don't see a third volume on the horizon. Maybe Matthew Loux wraps things up nicely in that book. But I would hate for such a promising series to be confined to only a pair of reads. 

I guess I'll just have to read that sequel and find out for myself. 

So if the young reader in your life likes time travel, history, intriguing mysteries and maybe some thunder lizards, then a trip through the Time Museum might be in your family's future. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

The Complete Stuart Taylor: Volume 3 (Gwandanaland Comics #1465)

The full title of this series is called Stuart Taylor in Weird Stories of the Supernatural. It's about a college student who travels to the past and sometimes the future, with one of his science professors and his daughter Laura, whom happens to be Stuart's girlfriend. In their adventures, the trio meet Shakespeare, experience the tragedy at Pompeii and jump ahead to the far out future of 1975!

I've only got one question about this series- does time travel, when done with a time travel machine, count as an element of the supernatural? Yes, time travel can be quite weird. But supernatural?! I guess in the 1930s and 40s, time travel was supernatural. But it's more science fiction than ghost story or horror tale. 

I looked to see if earlier tales involved a supernatural slant. And while Stuart and friends did visit Icabod Crane, Sinbad and Thor is some of those stories- that's just a handful of the 140 issues written and illustrated by Curt Davis. Only one such story, involving the 1,001 Arabian Nights and a flying carpet, even comes close to being classified as supernatural in this volume. And even then, I'd call that one a fantasy yarn.

By The Way- There is no Curt Davis! That was just 1 of several pseudonyms used by comics legend, Jack Kirby! I didn't learn this until after I completed this book. It's definitely a product of it's time, with some racial stereotypes, archaic history lessons and how people though the world of the future was going to turn out. But it was also ahead of it's time with the battle of the sexes between Stuart and Laura and of course the innovative framing techniques that Kirby pioneered.

Oh, and one more nitpick. Whenever Stuart travels in the future, his blue suit transforms into some kind of trapeze artist leotard. But Laura and her father's clothes never change. I'm not sure why this is and not having a answer kinda bothered me. Maybe the costume change is explained in earlier volumes. I just don't know.

As for why I started with volume 3- well, that's easy. Gwandanaland Comics was having a clearance sale and this was on very steep discount. As an amateur comic book historian and collector who just can't pass up a bargain, when I had the chance to buy this, I just couldn't pass up a bargain!

A fun early look at some of the forgotten (and unclaimed) works of Jack Kirby. Now that I know that this is a work by The King, I very well might search out the other 3 or 4 volumes in the series. I may not have enjoyed the stories that much based on the incorrect title. But I love Kirby that much to collect the rest!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Futurama: The Time Bender Trilogy (Vol. 4)

A bargain bin issue of The Simpsons is rather hard to find. At the used books stores, I can occasionally strike gold with a collection of funnies from Bongo Comics. But finding anything from Simpsons sister series, Futurama, is just about as rare as a thing as stumbling upon a gold nugget!

In this collection of 4 stories- in yes, what is called 'The Time Bender Trilogy', Fry, Leela, and Bender are tasked with finding Dr. Farnsworth's son Cubert a boarding school. Of course, it's an intergalactic boarding school! No earth bound fluff for Dr. Farnsworth's genius clone! 

After several school tours, The Planet Express team find the perfect school for Cubert; a real institute of higher learning of which the youth absolutely hates. Tricked into attending school with Cubert, Fry and friends try to adjust to life as high school students. Bender becomes a nerd. Fry, a jock. And Leela finds the popularity denied her as a mutant orphan; mostly because she owns the delivery ship.

Leela's newfound fame results in a round of playing hooky with some other popular students. In an attempt to rectify their truancy, Leela is peer pressured into going back in time by making a slingshot around a star. But as this is a very dangerous maneuver, Leela accidentally triggers a supernova resulting in the school needing to be evacuated- literally!

Safely back on planet Earth, the delivery team finds the world completely abandoned. Well, except for that pesky alien couple from Omicron Persei 8 who've claimed Terra as their new fixer-upper home. Thus begins a zany romp to regain the planet for the human race and then trek through time to rescue the time trapped populace of the year 3000!

This was a fun story. I've been reading the complete run of Marvel Comic Presents. I've enjoyed it. But for the most part, its grim and gritty. Truly a product of late 80s, early 90s superhero comics. So, I've felt like I need a laugh or two. Thankfully, on a recent, but very brief vacation, I found a couple of volumes of Bongo Comics classics (1 Simpsons, 1 Futurama). It's been a welcome reprieve.

I loved Futurama. I wish it was back on TV in a reboot- and I hate reboots!!! Full of sly one-liners and funny Easter eggs, this volume was enjoyable. A few of the jokes were dated. But this was like finding a few new never-before-seen episodes of Futurama. Too bad it ended too soon, as I've zero clue when I'll find another vein of Matt Groening comic book gold!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Deadpool Vs. X-Force

When you got to Ollie's and you find a Deadpool book for only $4, you don't pass it up. That's what introduced me to Deadpool Vs. X-Force. 

Originally published in 2014, the story inside is set prior to Wade Wilson's first meeting Cable and the rest of the New Mutants prior to the team being christened as X-Force. So, you should expect a slightly different, possibly more sadistic Deadpool, than the lovable loser we've grown to love in the past 10 years. But this version of Wade just seems beyond the pale!

The story starts off with Deadpool going back to Revolutionary War times and screwing things up so that while America will win the war, it will take a little bit longer for them to do it. So far, I'm okay with things because the reason the Merc with a Mouth kills a Colonial general is because Wade had to write a report on him in high school and this sort of vengeance seems like something Deadpool would do. But then Wade starts messing with the past again...

This time, he goes to the Civil War and helps the Confederates win. Then he goes and... Okay. I don't want to spoil it too much. But, he tries to save Hitler!

Look, I've read enough Gerry Duggan Deadpool to know that Wade Wilson is no fascist. And he'll only work for those goose-steppers if his daughter's life is at stake. I really doubt that Deadpool was that ambivalent when first floating around in the head of Rob Liefeld. 

Cable's Duane Swierczynski does a great job when it comes to Cable and his manipulation of the time stream by joining X-Force together prematurely. But the author's Deadpool just seems wrong. In fact, it freakin' is wrong. Money is the biggest motivator for the actions of Deadpool. But in my heart of hearts, I feel that even when faced with a pile of cash, Deadpool would never, ever help the Nazis unless absolutely backed into a corner. And Wade seems full of options here!

There's some great moments. But it's all X-Force related. And that wasn't why I bought the book. Not the best Deadpool story. Nope. Not at all...

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic 20/20 One-Shot (Family Comic Friday)

This week’s Family Comic Friday is for pegasisters and bronies of all ages. It’s IDW Publishing’s 20th anniversary. To celebrate, the company is releasing several one-shots that reflect the company's past, present and future. And up next of the rotation is My Little Pony!

Let me first say that I’m not the best person to ask about the My Little Pony franchise. I’m not 100% if the ponies from the future are how they are normally presented in the cartoons and comics or not. But I was interested in IDW’s idea to have future and past meet in this all-ages friendly comic. Thus, is why I choose to review it.

So, let’s take a trip to the land of Equestria as Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash and the rest of your favorite ponies travel back in time! If I get something wrong in my plot synopsis, please forgive me and bear through it. Here it  goes…

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic 20/20 One-Shot
Written by Ted Anderson
Art by Toni Kuusisto
Colors by Heather Breckel
Published by IDW Publishing
Pages: 25 plus ads
Cover Price: $4.99

Rainbow Dash is about to perform her famous sonic rainbow maneuver for a crowd of dignitaries when she is struck by lightning! Don’t worry- she’s fine. But the incident causes Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie to be sent 20 years into the past!

Immediately, each adult pony meets their younger selves. In order to get back to the right time, all of the friends are going to have to find their missing ‘elements of harmony.’ But that’s going to be difficult as none of the fillies have met each other yet! How is this going to affect the timeline? Each pony and their younger selves are going to need an extra dose of magic to make things right again! Good thing friendship is magic!

Writer Ted Anderson played it smart by making this special a book that both new and old fans of My Little Pony can enjoy. But I think he could have gone a little further and added possibly a small tutorial or glossary of terms here. There are some elements that don’t make a lot of sense to a newcomer to the franchise such as myself.

For instance, a character in the story notices that the older version of herself has wings. It’s hinted that when the ponies get to a certain age and social status, they can get these new appendages. But it’s not really explained how. Yes- knowing too much about the timeline is used as an excuse to gloss over this. But I am still left wondering how a pony becomes a Pegasus!?

The one thing that Ted Anderson did not do very well is explain where this one-shot special falls in with the rest of the My Little Pony comics from IDW. These anniversary specials are supposed to go either 20 years into the future and 20 years into the past. For all I know, this comic did both. Does the book start 20 years ahead of when the regular series occurs and the characters go 40 years back in time? I would have appreciated a little more clarification on that.

Despite the unfamiliar territory, this special was an enjoyable book. Just because I didn’t understand everything that was going on that I do not notice that this is still a comic book of high quality. This book was made especially for the fans by attempting to bridge generations. With great art by Toni Kuuisisto and a wondrous pastel palette by Heather Breckel, this has the look and feel of My Little Pony.

I even appreciate that with a franchise like My Little Pony, the creators tried very hard to obey the rules of time travel. Not everyone can do going back and forth in time very well. Anderson and Kuusisto got it right to a point that even Doc Brown wouldn’t be able to find any flaws with the quantum mechanics of it all!

There’s absolutely nothing objectionable in this book. Fans of My Little Pony of any age or gender will enjoy this read. The concept of time travel might need some explaining to really young readers. But, then again, some kids have a better grasp on physics than adults do. One thing new readers of any age might need is a more experience fan of the ponies to explain the character dynamics and social constructs of Equestria a little better.

The My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic 20/20 One-Shot debuted in print and digital media on January 23rd, 2019.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Elvira, Mistress of the Dark #1

Elvira, that buxom, valley-girl talking, smart aleck horror host is back in a new miniseries from Dynamite Entertainment. 

The Mistress of the Dark has attracted her fair share of men. Now, she's the object of desire of Dracula, Lord of the Vampires. As she seeks to escape the clutches of Vlad, she travels back in time to a rainy Lake Geneva, 1816.

There she meets Frankenstein's mother, Mary Godwin. Oh, you may not recognize that name seeing as Mary hasn't married her fiance, Percy Shelley, yet. 

Dracula has also fallen through time after Elvira and he's not taking no for an answer. All others protecting her, including Mary,  are collateral damage. Can Elvira escape the deadly bloodsucker without changing history seeing as Frankenstein hasn't been written yet? 

This isn't Elvira's first time in comics. Unfortunately, she's not had very much success in this media. Bettie Page's David Avallone pens a very funny and very smart time-travel opener here and I am hoping that this mini will prove to be a hit!

The artwork of Dave Acosta (Chastity) is really good. It's a mix of Gothic horror and caricature. I almost expected it to have some very silly Easter eggs in the background, like a sign saying 'Eat at Vlad's' on the wall. The sort of thing you would see in a MAD Magazine. Acosta thankfully restrains himself from such a move. But he's got a style that would be at home with the 'usual gang of idiots.'

This series has potential. I can't wait to get the rest of it. The last page has Elvira travelling to meet another important figure in horror history and I'm excited to see who she will meet in rest of this book.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

You Are Deadpool #5

After your time-travelling adventures in issues #2,3 and 4, you, as Deadpool, have made it to issue #5. Here, all of your running around in the Marvel Universe timeline has created a seemingly infinite number of Wade Wilsons. Now in order to finish the game you have to unravel some of the mess made to the timeline.

You will need a calculator for this issue of You Are Deadpool. There's some serious math to be done and using fingers and toes will not get this job done.

My least favorite issue of the miniseries/RPG adventure. Like I said, there is some quite difficult mathematics to be done in this final issue. It felt a little bit lit algebra and I really hate algebra. 

Thankfully, there are some very funny moments thanks to writer Al Ewing. Plus Aco's art is second to none. It's just that this last chapter, LEVEL was quite complicated. Maybe if I get around to playing You Are Deadpool again, I will enjoy the ending a little more now that I have some experience with it. 

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.