Essential Doctor Strange, Vol. 2

This second volume of Doctor Strange stories were published from 1968-72. The Comics Code is beginning to relax it's rules on horror. During this time period, vampires, ghouls and demons are no longer on the no-no list. And Marvel Comics embraced these loosened guidelines with a gusto!

In volume 1, Doctor Stephen Strange battled demons like Dormammu. But those arcane foes were more outlandish like a Doctor Doom or The Red Skull. Their motivation was more power hungry than occultish. Now, we see the Master of the Mystic Arts take on the cultists who worship Doctor Strange's arch-enemies.

I like horror comics. But demons and devils just isn't my thing. And this collection is chock full of fallen angels. But, the stories were still pretty compelling as they are masterfully written by the likes of Roy Thomas and Gerry Conway. Artwork by Gene Colan and a host of others was rather good too.

I love the B&W beauties. But I found a print problem among the last dozen or so issues of the first series of Doctor Strange books. Those issues were originally illustrated and colored as a sort of reverse negative with white ghostly outlined renderings of either the hero or his opponents looming over the action. As a result, the retouch team had to reverse the negative yet again in order to be printed without color. This not only whitewashes the art, the excessive inks turn lovely streamlined works of art into blobbish works of art. 

Remember that fresco of Jesus that some lady did a poor job retouching to the effect than the Christ looked more Muppet than Son of Man? That's what happened with those covers.

Along this time period, Doctor Strange was cancelled. Maybe the readers didn't like the newer, darker approach. It wasn't for almost 3 years until Strange would return to print in the first 10 issues of Marvel Premiere. When he does show up, his foes become even more demonic. But by now, the renaissance of Marvel Horror titles had gained full steam and it seemed that an America now enthralled by William Peter Blatty's Exorcist were ready for a more mature Doctor Strange. 

Will the world be ready for another Doctor Strange title? Find out in volume 3!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #4

Al Milgrom's Fear Eater saga concludes in this issue. After facing the Silver Surfer, Steve Rogers and the ever lovin' blue-eyed Thing, the parasite decides to feast on Thor, The God of Thunder!  point of near-starvation, the Fear Eater must succeed, least he waste away to nothing.

The Fear Eater sidelines the Asgardian with a mild malady while summoning up the foretold Ragnarok. Unable to join his warrior brothers, Thor despairs. It looks like the Fear Eater is finding going to munch on a Marvel Super Hero!

The stories starring Wolverine, The Master of Kung-Fu and Man-Thing continue. All of them are rather good. Logan gets the literal crap slapped out of him with a foe called Razorfist. 

The Shang-Chi story starts to finally build up steam. But with the motive of that stories baddie being tied in with Iran-Contra just as the Man-Thing story, it just seems to me that the editors should have spread things out a little bit. It makes for what is supposed to be a fresh collection of anthology tales feeling a little bit stale. 

And once again- where in the frick is Man-Thing? Never before have I experienced a story where the main character is such a non-entity. Good thing that the 'supporting cast' is so interesting. But, Geez...

Oh- and that twist ending to the Fear Eater story! CLASSIC!!!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #3

Wolverine is reunited with a blast from his past- Jessan Hoan. Only she doesn't remember ever knowing the Canadian mutant.

The confusing web of the political conspiracy in the Man-Thing saga gets even more tangled. Now we've got a pagan priestess involved in matters. 

Shang-Chi agrees to help his old friends to save his old flame. But to do this, he's going to need to call in reinforcements and that means calling on an old foe.

Lastly, the Fear Eater turns to Ben Grimm as his next meal. A recent blast of gamma energy has caused the FF's Thing to mutate further. But it's when the Fear Eater turns Thing back into his human form does Aunt Petunia's favorite nephew start to have doubts.

The Wolverine story continues to captivate. The chapter starring the Master of Kung-Fu seemed unneeded. Lots of talk but no meat. The Thing story was okay. But it seems to me as a long time reader of Fantastic Four stories that having the Fear Eater mutate Ben Grimm further would do more to wreck the hero's confidence than reverting him back to human. 

As for this chapter of Man-Thing. I don't know what to tell you. The story is interesting. But I can't understand why the United States government would need devil worshipers to stop Communism in a South American country. 

A mixed bag. Typical for an anthology. But a couple of segments were some hot messes. 

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #2

In the second issue of Marvel Comics Presents, Wolverine survives his first taste of the Madripoor nightlife only to come face-to-face with an old friend. Then in the political saga involving the Man-Thing, we get lots of conspiracy and intrigue but very little-to-no Man-Thing. Shang-Chi, the Master of Kung-Fu, is reunited with a lost love. But things appear complicated with a new mystery man added to the reunite clandestine team's line-up. The fact that the paramour gets kidnapped by thugs doesn't help thing either. 

Lastly, in the lone stand alone story, Al Milgrom brings back the Fear Eater. On the menu today is The Captain. Not Captain America. Just The Captain. But it's still Steve Rogers and with the former World War II non-com comes the baggage of the death of sidekick Bucky Barnes. It's that sort of grief that makes for some tasty vittles for the Fear Eater!

A good second issue. No sophomore slump here. The Wolverine story is that sort of gritty B-movie action flick stuff you'd expect from the late 80s. But it's intriguing. The Shang-Chi story has the titillating edge found with adventure flicks filled with femme fatales. And Al Milgrom's Fear Eater stories are great.

I just can't put my finger on the Man-Thing story. Why is he even in this thing? It's a good story. But with Man-Thing maybe appearing in one or two panels- what's the point of having him in this tale? I think people would have read this minus a main Marvel character's inclusion. But what do I know? I've only been reading comic books my whole life...

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #1

I'm not sure if it just finally took me forever to collect this entire anthology series from the 80s and 90s or I just had to finally will myself to knuckle under and buy those final pesky issues. I know I had to dig deep into my pocket for a copy of the final issue as #175 cost me one green-hued portrait of Andrew Jackson.

The series starts off with 4 stories. The first 3 tales are the opening chapters of multi-parters. The cover story sees Wolverine in Madripoor seeking to fulfill the last wishes of a dying man; only to become embroiled in a gang war.

The mindless Man-Thing finds itself in the middle of a political scandal that hearkens to Iran-Contra. Only I don't seem to recall demon worship being a part of Ollie North's guns for hostages plans.

Shang-Chi- The Master of Kung-Fu, returns to Hong Kong and is immediately targeted by old enemies made by both his infamous father and himself.

The last story is a stand alone adventure about a cosmic baddie called the Fear Eater. This guy is a parasite and he's tired of feasting on your standard fear of dying. So the Fear Eater sets his sights on the Silver Surfer! Naturally, a bad idea!

Featuring a host of legendary talent including Al Milgrom, Klaus Janson, and Dave Cockrum. I hope you love anthology comics and Marvel characters. Because you'll going to see a slew of reviews coming your way as I work my way through another 174 issues!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Three Stooges: Thru The Ages One-Shot

I'm not able to head over to my favorite LCS every week; what with a partial return to work. Thankfully, the fellas over at Books Do Furnish a Room have been holding stuff for me on my list. And this week was my chance to finally pick up some issues that were collecting dust.

From the cover, it appears that Three Stooges: Thru The Ages would finally address the changing line-up of Shemp, Curly and Curly Joe. One existed in the prehistoric past. Another lives in the time of knights and dragons. The third is from the future. But unfortunately, this is definitely one of those times you shouldn't judge a book from it's cover. 

Thru The Ages marks the 5th anniversary of American Mythology having the licensing rights to produce Stooges comics. We do get 3 stories each starring a rotating member of the trio. Instead, we get a zoo caper with Shemp. Curly is goaded into wrestling a bruiser in hopes of winning some cash. And Curly Joe seems to play third fiddle as Moe and Larry try to persuade a big-wig producer to fund their next project. All 3 stories were rather funny and I don't regret paying full price for this one-shot. But the plots do nothing to reflect the cover with was a big selling point for me.

There were a couple of cool extras. One was a complete rundown of all of the Stooges comics from American Mythology. This has helped me to determine what Halloween and Christmas specials are now on my wish list. But did you know that there was an April Fool's issue?? That plus the revelation of an All-Shemp issue are now on my radar. 

The other extra is an interview with 2 of Larry Fine's great-grandsons and a grandson of Curly's. That was an interesting insight at being the legacy of comedic and cultural icons. And the rare photos of the Boys were really cool.

I enjoyed this read. It didn't turn out how I expected. But it was a much needed read for refreshment and humorous delight.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

The Complete Gorgo Readers Collection: Volume 1 & 2

Gorgo was a 1961 British film produced by MGM. The film itself was a European rip-off of Godzilla with offshore atomic testing awakening the prehistoric beast and being worshiped as an ancient deity by a Gaelic seaside town. But the real change to this kaiju was that Gorgo was a baby. You did not want to get on the bad side of mama!

This deluxe volume from Gwandanaland Comics reprints the all of the Gorgo books published by Charlton Comics. First is the adaptation of the film. Then a comic based on the never made proposed sequel. Those two books was enough to warrant a 23-issue series based on further exploits of Gorgo and his kin. Then there was 2 one-shots that sought to revitalize the adventures of Gorgo, but to little avail. 

The main series that ran from 1961-65 was a product of it's time. As with all giant monster franchises, the threat of nuclear destruction is ever looming. But what's even more interesting about Gorgo is how he was such a vital cog in the war against Communism. 

One issue ties the events of the Cuba Missile Crisis to the classified inclusion of a very po'd Gorgo. Several other issues has Gorgo and his mom running afoul of hidden commie bases and wrecking the plans of global domination from Communist China. But when it comes to the good guys, Gorgo is there to help; almost like a giant reptile version of Lassie. 

This book has one big superstar tied-in. The legendary Steve Ditko (Doctor Strange) pencils the first 5 issues and then returns from time-to-time. I just wish that the storytelling and editing was given as much care as Ditko gave the art.

There are dozens upon dozens typos through this book. Apparently spellcheck was something never explored by the editors at Charlton Comics. Yeah, yeah. I know I am one to talk. But then again, I'm not a professional either.

I loved this book. It was as massive as Gorgo himself. Full of awesomely wild stories about a classic but forgotten movie monster.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.