Hogan's Heroes #3 (2022 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Challenge)

In the waning days of World War II, the P-47 Thunderbolt flown by my wife's grandfather was shot down. He parachuted behind enemy lines and wound up in a Nazi POW camp. Russian ground forces were breaking though Germany from the East. As the Russians treated captured Nazis a lot more harshly than other Allied forces, a guard used hand gestures and scribbles in the dirt to orchestrate a prison break with granddad. 

While behind enemy lines, the German solider held a Luger on my wife's grandparent. Any time they met other Axis troops, the guard make show of having caught an American. Once they got into Allied territory, the guard handed over the Luger and became the prisoner of an American pilot. Eventually they both made it to a base to which as the two parted ways, the German solider saluted before surrendering his credentials and gun to his co-conspirator. The two were never to meet again.

I tell this story because I often joke to my wife that her grandfather was the inspiration for the World War II sitcom Hogan's Heroes. Though to be honest, there's a episode of M*A*S*H* that follows my in-law's plight a lot more closer. But if you ever saw pictures of my wife's grandfather in his uniform, he looked a heck of a lot like Col. Hogan.

Hogan's Heroes aired on CBS for six seasons from 1965-71. It starred Robert Crane as Col. Robert Hogan. The pilot along with the rest of the POWs of Stalag 13 very well could leave the prison camp at any time as the guards and it's commandant, Col. Klink, are incompetent boobs. But in secret, the soldiers have been ordered to remain behind bars, secretly working to sabotage the Axis forces with a hidden radio, vast system of tunnels and contacts with the German and French resistance. 

Klink knows that Hogan and his men are behind the string of catastrophes that besiege the Nazis. But with his perfect record of no recorded official escapes, Klink survives being transferred to the dreaded Russian front. Klink's main prison guard, the portly Sgt. Schultz also keeps a blind eye as long as whatever Hogan does won't get him into trouble. 

The argument that secretly Klink and Schultz were working for the Allies in order to save their own necks seems to be confirmed in this issue. For one, Klink acknowledges on several occasions that he knows Hogan has a secret radio and other spy devices. Yet he does very little to uncover it. Klink also doesn't seem very upset that Hogan's men have brought in several goats onto the compound. The same goes for Schultz, who permits the farm animals as long as he gets a share of fresh milk every day.

The goats are just a goofy prop for the rest of this issue's plot. A noted German spy has decided to use Stalag 13 as her headquarters while she plans a secret mission. Hogan is tasked with learning the names of her spy ring. The list is in her head and things get tricky when one of the goats causes the intelligence coordinator to get injured. Now with amnesia, Hogan must play the part of a German doctor to help the enemy regain her memories and save the Allies from a forthcoming Nazi invasion. All the while, Klink's uniform is falling to pieces thanks to those hungry goats.

Hogan's Heroes managed to do something that really nobody has been able to do before or after- make Nazis funny and fan-favorite. I've heard many fans of the show express their love for Schultz in particular. Schultz was played by Austrian born American actor John Banner. Banner, also a Jew, lost a lot of his family to the Nazis. The actor would often claim that Sgt. Schutz was not a Nazi but instead a good German who got forced into fighting a war that he was not in support of. So maybe Schultz really was secretly on the side of the Allies.

It has long been a goal of mine to own a copy of Hogan's Heroes. My dad had a coverless copy that I would pour over whenever he would bring out his comic book collection. If I'm not mistaken, this was the issue he had! 

Part of Dell Comics' fabled line of comics based on licensed properties, Hogan's Heroes ran sporadically for 9 issues from 1966-69. The likenesses of many of the actors is pretty decent. Sadly, the images of Cpl. Newkirk, played by future game show legend Richard Dawson looks nothing like him. But I really thought French resistance member LeBeau and Schultz were literally going to jump off the page; they're so lifelike. 

Before I go, why don't I bring you up to date on my 'real life' inspirations for Hogan's Heroes. Ernest Useted, Sr. returned home to Connecticut and married high-school sweetheart Helen. They had several children before relocating to St. Louis. Ernie passed away in the late 90s before I had a chance to meet his eldest grandchild, Jan.

As for the German solider, I know a little about him. After Helen passed away, I had a chance to inspect the Luger and credentials first hand. With a degree in history, I was able to utilize a few websites. I learned that after the war, the guard was interned in Oklahoma and then Nebraska. A number of low-level German POWS were kept in the US up to around 1947 as investigations were made into each prisoners war crimes backgrounds. 

In 1946, the former Nazi known as Schmiddt, was granted work release parole and worked in a Nebraskan grocery store with several other prisoners. One resident recalls that the Germans were' very quiet and polite. A couple went on to marry local girls.' 

By the fall of '46, Schmiddt was released and quietly disappeared. He probably stayed in the US as former records of the POWs would have recorded if the parolees returned back to Germany. A number of former Nazi soldiers changed names without going through official channels after their release to further distance from their Axis past selves and it's possible Schmiddt did too. It's just another one of history's mysteries I guess.

Hogan's Heroes will forever be tied into the war from which it came. Though Ernie and Schmiddt's backstory probably had nothing to do with the show, their story of their escape in World War II will forever be linked to the show in my eyes. And the comic book of course is yet another link to it. That's the beauty of personal histories. They have unusual pathways!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Completing this review completes Task #12 of the 2022 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge. 'More than 20 years old.'

Asterix Omnibus, Vol. (2022 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Challenge)

How many American students can recall the adventures of Asterix the Gaul when learning French in elementary or college? I know I am one of them!

Created by Rene Goscinny & Albert Uderzo, Asterix debuted in the pages of the French comic mag Pilote in 1959. The series takes place around 50 B.C. during the Roman occupation of Gaul (now modern day France). Only Asterix's village remains unconquered by the Roman Empire. That's all thanks to a special potion that gives Asterix and his kinsmen tremendous strength and resilience. 

The Roman Empire will do anything to get their hands on this secret and that's the subject of the first Asterix story. Titled 'Asterix the Gaul', readers are introduced to a tiny Gaul powerhouse that looks like a cross between Marvel Comics' Thor and a Smurf. 

Asterix's best friend is the gentle giant Oberlix. As a tot, Oberlix fell into a vat of the potion and thus never needs a power up. With his massive strength, the dimwitted Oblerix always carries with him a menhir, a gigantic oblong stone carving.

The other main character of this series is the Druid Panoramix, sometimes known as Getafix in American translations. Panoramix is responsible for creating the potion that gives Asterix his strength. The Druid uses a golden scythe to properly harvest the mistletoe and other ingredients for the mighty elixir. 

In the second Asterix adventure, 'Asterix and the Golden Sickle', Panoramix's blade is damaged. Needing a new one right away, least his potions lack their oomph, Asterix and Oblerix travel to another town in hopes of buying a new blade. The pair wind up mixed up in a racket to make counterfeit blades involving the Gaulish black market, petty thugs and corrupt Roman officials.

The third story, titled 'Asterix and the Goths' takes place immediately after story #2. Panoramix is able to make his special potions and attends an annual meeting of Druids. At the convention, Panoramix is kidnapped by Goths (modern day Germany) and it's up to Asterix and Oblerix to rescue their magical friend.

As of 2021, there have been 39 official stories starring Asterix. Since 2020, American kids publisher Papercutz obtained the rights to publish the tales to English audiences. So far the first 15 stories have been collected in omnibus form with a couple of modern adventures being released individually. 

I feel like there are a lot of influences on adventures of Asterix. The rapid-fire dialogue is straight out of 1930s Hollywood comedies. The goofy characters invoke thoughts of Herge's TinTin. The swashbuckling aspects remind me of the Uncle Scrooge tales of Carl Barks and Don Rosa. The fluid artwork has touches of Disney and Peyo. And the name puns and inside jokes usually involving creative fonts is all very British. So I felt very at home with this book.

The irony of Asterix is that the real hero of Gaul is Oberlix. He never has to refill on the magic potion. So, Oberlix could just wipe all the Romans off the face of Gaul and be done with it. If he was vindictive enough, Oberlix probably could become the new village chieftain. But deep down all Oberlix wants is to fill his belly with boar and beer. Is that all of us, really?

The tales of Asterix are fun reads for all with a little something for everyone. There's adventure, magic and humor. And maybe even a little educational what with the phrases in Latin and encounters with historical figures like Caesar and Cleopatra. Sometimes the plot seems to go in circles. Especially with the main 3 characters winding up in prison a lot. But there's enough creativity to keep those running jokes from getting stale. 

Rene Goscinny and Albert Uderzo hit upon a magic formula in Asterix. Could it be in the art?Is it the storytelling? Heck, it might be the Druid's mistletoe! Regardless, these stories are a timeless delight that will enchant any reader!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Completing this review completes Task #15 of the 2022 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge. 'Translated from another language.'

Marvel Comics Presents #43

 Another very good issue. 

We start learning more about the origin of the Black/White entity that is terrorizing Hong Kong. Tragic backstory about a poor mutant that becomes lab rat fodder. If they had started with this in the story, I probably would've been a fan of this entire story. At least this story has been improving over the past couple of issues.

Iron Man makes 2 appearances. He's still working with members of the Avengers to free Wonder Man from the enchantments of the Enchantress. Then in a single issue story, Tony Stark must dive into his company's newest AI when a baddie long thought dead imparts himself as part of the tech.

The last story was my favorite. It too was a single issue story; starring the daughter of X-Man Banshee. Theresa Cassidy is on Muir Island home alone when a group of mutant villains storm the house looking for poppa. Called the Kinsmen, these antagonists don't seem to realize that the child of a mutant might too have special powers. Using not just her inherited vocal mutant powers, but some ingenuity and martial arts training, Siryn plays the role of Kevin McAllister in this mighty Marvel take on Home Alone.

4 solid chapters. I think 8 pages was enough for the Iron Man story. But I would have liked Siryn's story to maybe have been a two-parter. It was very funny. I think doing 3 segments (or more) wouldn't have worked. But I think you could have done one cliffhanger with a Home Alone type booby-trap saving the day at the beginning of part 2. A missed opportunity but still a very good issue of MCP.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #42

A sacrifice makes the Wolverine story start getting decent.

Hank Pym and The Wasp join Iron Man in the attempt to redeem Wonder Man from the influence of The Enchantress. 

Union Jack is joined by the Invaders in a mission to repeal Axis forces during World War II.

But the star of this issue was the 8-pager involving Colleen Wing and Misty Knight: The Daughters of the Dragon. The kung-fu detective pair go undercover at a circus to uncover a murderer. 

I've read a few things starring the Daughters of the Dragon. It was decent stuff. But this story by Jo Duffy was really super. I know that Duffy wrote several issues of Power Man and Iron Fist. But I don't know if she ever wrote about Wing and Knight in that series. Regardless, I do know that Marvel never had Jo Duffy conduct a series starring just the duo. And they really should have!

In just 8 short pages, Duffy created a backstory, an intriguing mystery, 80s action movie level action and added a little bit of sex appeal. I might not have read such a series new as my teenage comic book tastes were rather different. But if it did exist, you could be sure as soon as I finished this issue, I would have been on Amazon or other used comics site and gotten my hands on it ASAP!

A very good issue with a great 8-page Daughters of the Dragon story!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Zatanna and the House of Secrets (Family Comic Friday)

Sorry to not do a Family Comic Friday last week. I had a bout with a nasty chest virus. Thankfully, it wasn't COVID. But due to waiting on COVID results and other tests, I had to quarantine. So I couldn't head to my library for some new all-ages stuff. But my hiatus is over and it's time to dive back into my weekly look at comic book and graphic novel reads for families to enjoy!

Zatanna and the House of Secrets is a recent offering that I've been waiting a very long time to get my hands on. I have always been a fan of DC's horror anthologies; cutting my teeth on them at a very young age. Thus, I was really excited to see how young adult novelist Matthew Cody (Cat Ninja) tackled the House of Secrets and it's long rich history. 

Zatanna lives in the House of Secrets with her father, Zatara. Zatara is a magician stuck to hosting magic shows at retirement communities. Secretly, Zatara is the caretaker of the House of Secrets. But Zatanna is blissfully unaware of this; as well as dad's real magic abilities. This is until one night, when Zatanna's father appears with a black eye and strict to not let his stage assistant, Pocus the rabbit out of her sight. 

Living in a bizarre run-down looking house with an off-beat dad, Zatanna is desperate to fit in with her school friends. With Pocus in her backpack, the girl sneaks out of the House of Secrets to a Halloween party thrown by the coolest kids at school. Things seem fine until a strange looking boy with blue skin attempts to steal Pocus and makes off with the key charm fastened around the bunny's collar.

A little unraveled from the incident, Zatanna hurries home. But now, her house is transformed into a menagerie of magical oddities. And a mysterious woman who holds Pocus' key charm and now claims to be the new owner of the House of Secrets. 

I really enjoyed this book. It told a very imaginative story set within the DC Universe. It had lots of nostalgic Easter eggs. But it also managed to seem fresh and brand new too! 

I do feel like the editors or just the book designer ruined a couple of surprises. I had an inkling of the addition of one classic DC magical character thanks to the cover. But a couple of the establishing pages seemed to ruin the overall surprise. Why do companies feel the need to ruin everything in a commercial of teaser?

I really like the artwork of illustrator Yoshi Yoshitani (I Am Not Starfire). It's got a traditional Japanese quality mixed with hints of Las Vegas and fairytale. It was a very nice fit for this enchanted graphic novel. 

Zatanna and the House of Secrets is recommended for ages 8-12 and I think that's appropriate. There's nothing scary. A couple of ultra-thrilling scenes. And a few laughs peppered in. 

I'm hoping there's more to Zatanna's story. There's more than one House and there were more than one horror anthology. So maybe a Zatanna and the House of Mystery is coming up. I would really like that and I think young readers would too!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Showcase Presents Enemy Ace, Vol. 1 (2022 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Challenge)

 In 1965, DC Comics decided to turn the tables on their plethora of war stories when they debuted the Enemy Ace in the February issue of Our Army At War. Written and created by Robert Kanigher (The Losers), the series was told from the point of view of the enemy! While DC had done the occasional story from the perspective of an enemy combatant, there hadn't been a series which showed had the other side fought. 

Set in World War I, the main character is Baron Hans Von Hammer. Known as the 'Hammer of Hell', Von Hammer is a character going through many changes throughout the Great War. He's royalty. Thus his way of war is almost chivalric with what many young soldiers consider an outdated code of honor. Enemy Ace refuses to shoot armed opponents. His underlings have no qualms firing upon their sworn enemies no matter what. 

The baron's military title is archaic as well. With over 50 confirmed kills, Von Hammer rises up to become the rittmeister of his squadron. The term rittmeister is German for calvary master despite the fact that the horse he rides is an airplane.

The Fokker Dr. I flown by the Enemy Ace is as much as a character in this series as the Baron himself. In many issues, the plane has a face painted on the front propeller. Unfortunately, the visage is less terrifying and more Thomas The Tank Engine. But as it's motor hums, Von Hammer swears he can hear the plane accusingly taunting him with the words 'Killer...murderer...killer!'

Von Hammer's only friend is a black wolf that roams in the nearby Black Forest. While waiting for repairs to the Fokker, the Enemy Ace takes to the wilderness to keep his visual accuities sharp. As he enters the woods, he is always meet by the wolf and the two share a quiet bond as natural born killers during their hunt.

The original artist for Enemy Ace was Joe Kubert (Sgt. Rock). Kubert's ability to draw weapons of war with such accuracy is reason enough of place him in the comic book hall of fame. Together with Kanigher, Kubert brought forth adventures of Enemy Ace that were gritty, adventurous and often tragic. It will be a very long time after I get over the death of poor Schatzie! But despite the heartache, many of Enemy Ace's foes were very much the product of superhero comics.

Von Hammer's first main foe was a hooded French pilot known as The Hangman. A British decent of King Arthur's court, some porcine masked fighters and an American cowboy are just some of the colorful characters that will challenge the Enemy Ace in the skies above France's No Man's Land. 

This 500 plus page volume contains every Pre-CRISIS main appearance of Enemy Ace (with exception of his appearances in Justice League of America as a part of the Five Warriors From Forever.) Kanigher wrote all of the stories with Neal Adams (Strange Adventures), Howard Chaykin (American Flagg) and John Severin (Semper Fi) taking on the penciler role after Joe Kubert stepped aside. A murder mystery starring the Dark Knight in the pages of Detective Comics caps the action and adventure. 

You would think that a series about a pilot in the skies of World War I would get old. It did get predictable with every story following a set formula. Every story has Baron Von Hammer retreating to the woods during repairs to visit his lupine friend and ponder the horrors of war before going back into battle to smite the enemy flyer of the day. Yet despite the repetitive nature of the plot, Robert Kanigher and his artist teammate manage to pump out dozens of thrilling war stories that I couldn't get enough of. 

War is Hell and the sky is the killer of us all. But this volume was shear delight!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Completing this review completes Task #20 of the 2022 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge. 'Over 500 pages long.'

Marvel Comics Presents #41

The one-and-done story involves a corner of the Marvel mutant universe that I wasn't aware of: Freedom Force. Mystique along with several members of Magneto's Brotherhood of Evil Mutants agree to work deadly missions for the government in exchange for pardons of their past sins. 

I'm assuming this was the House of Ideas' answer to DC's Suicide Squad. Still, I liked it. 

When a Senator is kidnapped by another group of rogue mutant baddies, Freedom Force is called to the rescue. But will these reformed villains carry through with the extraction when they discover their mission is to save the strongly anti-mutant Sen. Robert Kelly?!

The Hercules story wraps up. It took the final chapter to get good as there is an assassination attempt on the life of both Herc and his progeny. 

Wonder Man's story continues to amuse. Hank McCoy, the Beast, is out of action (and in traction) thanks to the events of the last issue. So stepping up to stop the Avenger actor on a rampage next is Iron Man himself- Tony Stark.

Still can't really get into the Wolverine story. He's hanging around a group of Hong Kong pirates that are on the hunt for an entity that is killing indiscriminately. It's some kind of negative and positively charged being. Only it operates at the same time. The action is good. I'm lost with the backstory plot. 

A better offering after a couple of previous issue duds. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.