Sea Devils #19

This was a book that I was so delighted to read. In my first comics collection, I owned 2 copies of DC's 1960s water adventure series Sea Devils. I had one of my dad's Showcase Presents issues that introduced the team and then I bought a battered but much loved copy of issue #6 from my then favorite comics shop, Tales Resold in Raleigh, NC. 

As an overweight and asthmatic kid, I wasn't the best athlete on land. But in water, I rivaled Prince Namor and Arthur Curry in my swimming prowess. I loved the water. I just couldn't get enough pool time, ocean time or lake time. And my reading interests as a kid reflected that love. 

Thus when I found this copy of the 1961-67 DC title, I actually shouted 'Mine!' at the store and promptly added it to my stack of books I was planning to buy that day. Needless to say, I was overjoyed!

Enough backstory about me. So just what was issue #19 about? Titled 'The Sea Devil Robots!', a mad scientist named Doctor Deep has plans to become the ultimate ruler of the seven seas. In order to do that, he'll need to replace the Sea Devils with robot duplicates. (Apparently, this guy hasn't heard of a sea dweller named Aquaman...) 

Doctor Deep manages to transplant the brains of Sea Devils Biff and Nicky into their robot counterparts. But Sea Devil leader Dane and his girlfriend Judy elude the sinister researcher. That is until the Deep manages to hit Dane with his ray gun and now the expert skin diver's mind is trapped in the body of a thresher shark!

This is an issue fraught with plot holes. For one, if you put the brain of a hero into that of a robot, why would the protagonist all of a sudden start listening to that mad scientist? Shouldn't Biff and Nicky be rebelling against their captor? Obviously, Doctor Deep threatened the captive Sea Devils with something to make them do his bidding. But it's never revealed just what that blackmail is used for their compliance. 

Another problem I have with this issue is how the Doctor Deep is taken down. This is a nearly 60 year old comic, so I think I can spoil things a little. Judy saves the day by allowing herself to get captured. And we see Judy with her blonde hair and purple outfit taken in by the evil scientist. But then all of a sudden, Judy's robot starts to move on its own accord, taking control of that dastardly ray gun and restoring her friends to their correct bodies.

It turns out Judy was hiding in the Judy robot all along. So when did she do this? Didn't Doctor Deep realize she was missing for a while? Or do all of the Sea Devils have mannequins aboard their home base cruise ship and that was what was captured earlier? 

Okay. So a beloved comic book from my childhood has plot holes the size of what that iceberg did to the Titanic. DC wasn't really known for quality checking their storylines during the early to mid-60s. These things were written mostly to kids and if something didn't make sense, well hopefully the youngsters reading this weren't wise enough to figure out the mistakes. 

I'm okay with that if not just for nostalgia sake. But I did have issue with was illustrator Howard Purcell's (Doom Patrol) thresher shark. I Googled what a thresher shark looked like. And while yes, the tail fin really is that long; it's dorsal fin and side flippers are nowhere near as flowy as they are in this comic. That sort of artistic license is just something I can't overlook.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #127

The segments that comprise the multi-part stories of Wolverine, Ghost Rider/Typhoid Mary and Iron Fist really seem to do nothing. I call these segments 'Chess Move Chapters'. There's not a lot of action or kills. Just a lot of movement to get the players into the right place in order to execute the final act. 

As for the 4th segment, I was in love. It's a single issue 8-pager starring Speedball. Young Robbie Baldwin comes across Doctor Octopus. But the teen hero is the one in the wrong as Otto actually isn't doing anything really wrong. Recently paroled for his past deeds, Doc Ock has just gone out for a night on the town with a lady love. And NO- it's not Aunt May! 

Over the course of MCP, my interest has grown immensely about collecting the original Speedball run. Having Steve Ditko involved was already a huge selling point. But it was this issue, without the comic book legend at the helm, that sold me over to really trying to find an affordable run or even a collected volume. I mean if you can produce quality work without the guy who created the character, then that's a character I want to learn more about. 

Sadly, the Speedball story was really the only thing of note in this issue. I guess that's why none of the other characters are on my wish list.

Not Worth Consuming!

Rating: 3 out of 10 stars.

Black Hammer: Streets of Spiral

This collection of Black Hammer stories continues to expand the amazing world created by Jeff Lemire and Dean Ormston. But instead of a multi-parter, Black Hammer: Streets of Spiral is a collection of 3 one-shot specials as well as a compendium of major players that comprise the world of Black Hammer.

The first segment takes us back to Black Hammer Farm, before the seemingly finalizing events of 'The Age of Doom'. Floating eyeballs have been a familar sight within the para-zone. In this time bendy story, we find out that one of those ocular creatures has a history with all of the members of the farmstead, not just Col. Weird.

Readers are then introduced to a character with what I think is one of the most creative names in probably the last 25 years of comicdom- Cthu-louise! The featured character is a  human/otherworldly squid creature hybrid. In a story that has inspiration in not 1 but 2 episodes of The Twilight Zone, readers will learn Cthu-louise's heartbreaking origin as well as be introduced to her hopeful second chance.

The third segment is not a complete story. It's actually a segment from a Free Comic Book Day offering of (at the time) forthcoming. But it offers glimpses into the future plans of Black Hammer that Lemire and Ormston have in store for the franchise. In a nod to the EC Comics horror anthologies of the 1950s, Madame Dragonfly takes readers on a tour of her infernal cabin of stories.

As for the encyclopedia of all things Black Hammer, it invokes memories of Marvel's Official Guidebook of the Marvel Universe and DC's Who's Who. Yes, it does reveal a little bit of some stories that I haven't read yet. But thankfully it doesn't give away too much.

Along with artwork by Ormston, there's a slew of talent in these pages. Wilfredo Torres (Black Hammer '45), Dave Stewart (B.P.R.D.), Sandy Jarrell (Batman '66), Andrea Sorrentino (Old Man Logan) and personal favorite Mike Allred (Bowie: Stardust, Rayguns & Moonage Daydreams) are just a handful of artists that have a literal hand in things. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #126

The She-Hulk story ends in this issue. The ending wasn't as dynamic as the rest of the story. It wasn't bad. But it was more psychological and the ending was sad as opposed to being a humorous romp in previous 3 parts.

The Wolverine story seems to be a reunion as a bunch of characters from previous stories are popping up left and right. This time it's a trio of protoplasmic villains called the Flesh Tones. They had appeared in some story a while back. I can't remember which Wolverine story. But I do remember them and I'm not a fan.

With the Ghost Rider/Typhoid Mary story things have done a sort of 180 degree turn. At first Mary was going after a bunch of terrorists that had invaded a shopping mall in which she's visiting. But now after being sexually assaulted by some security guards, she's resorted to her deadly type of revenge on them. That has caused Ghost Rider's internal vengeance meter to go on full alert against Mary. But shouldn't the Spirit of Vengeance realize that something's off and that Mary is only fulfilling her skewed internal sense of duty and justice? 

Lastly, we've got the Iron Fist story. After apprehending a Hydra backed meta-human that infiltrated his research facility, Danny Rand has sought out the assistance of one of the Daughters of the Dragon, Misty Knight. But instead of using Misty and her detective skills, Iron Fist has decided to take on Hydra alone and put Misty in charge of his company!

After a nearly flawless issue, this issue of MCP seems to go spastic. All 4 chapters seemed to shack off the shackles of reason and went off into odd tangents. Wolverine's villains turned spineless- literally. The She-Hulk story went from comedy to drama. Ghost Rider went all misogynist and victim blaming against Typhoid Mary. And Iron Fist isn't using his allies to their fullest extent. 

Disappointing.

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Comics Presents #125

If there's anything I have learned from watching movies involving bounty hunters or other types of soldiers of fortune, you should trust no one! And that's what Wolverine is figuring out here in this amazing story about a young feral girl named Lynx. She carries inside her basically the cure of all cures. And that makes her worth a lot of money. And naturally, the mercenaries who assist Logan are betraying each other in the name of the highest bidder. 

It's an almost comical affair that for some reason reminds me of the Three Stooges. And now Black Widow has entered the picture representing Col. Nick Fury and his agency of SHIELD!

The She-Hulk story continues to amuse me as well. It's very campy and funny. It's almost as good as the Sensational She-Hulk series from this time period. Only, it's missing the god-like narrative of John Byrne who often put himself into the stories for a broken fourth wall effect. Still, I rather like this story with the Batman knock-off Nosferata and the She-Hulk imposter Adrenazon.

The Ghost Rider/Typhoid Mary story is also rather good. A bunch of terrorists have held up the shopping mall in which both Dan Ketch and Mary happen to be at. There's an interesting twist to this story. With Mary's past of abuse, she's taken in with a Women's shelter. Helping volunteer for a community outreach is why she was at the mall that day. Well, the women of the shelter are sick and tired of being pushed around and they've rallied around Typhoid Mary to take on these terrorists. Unfortunately, the women have mistaken Ghost Rider as being a part of the all-male group of subversives that have captured the shopping center.

The fourth story is a change of pace for MCP. Instead of being a one-shot story, the final segment begins a multi-parter starring Iron Fist. I keep forgetting that Danny Rand is wealthy. I always seem to think of him as just some poor wandering monk in designer clothes and not a Bruce Wayne arch-type. 

Anyways, one of Rand's companies is doing research into a mysterious artifact known only as 'the anomaly.' It's so mysterious that Hydra is willing to steal for it by hiring a meta human that can break into any security system. Named Skeleton Ki, the baddie has an appropriate name. But he's no match for Iron Fist who quickly steals the anomaly back before readers are slapped with the inevitable 'To Be Continued' ending.

All 4 segments were entertaining. I'm okay with there not being a single issue story. This kind of variety is what MCP needs to stay fresh as opposed to other tried and true methods that have gotten old over the course of 125 issues.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Black Hammer, Vol. 4: Age of Doom Part 2

Black Hammer is one of those series that I was reading all well and good and then BOOM!, COVID hit. I had been getting my trade copies from my local library. And for a good 18 months, it became almost impossible to get something from my nearby branch. Between being completely shut down, limited pick-up and wait lists, I eventually gave up. And Black Hammer went on the back burner.

With the library reopening this year, I had a list of things to read that I had been waiting on but not willing to pay for. Jeff Lemire's Black Hammer was tops on my list. But knowing how complex and full of mysteries this amazing series is, I knew better to wait to be able to check out a whole bunch instead of taking my chances one volume at a time. 

In Age of Doom Part 1, the residents of Black Hammer Farm learned the truth behind their mysterious exile. In this volume, we learn what happens when the conspiracy unravels. Colonel Weird awakes in the middle of a strange wasteland that is ever changing. Weird has plopped down into the middle of the land of forgotten characters. It seems that whomever created the adventurous astronaut has deemed Weird's story over. But don't tell him that!

Meanwhile in Spiral City, the heroes have returned. Only things are completely different as there have never been superheroes before. Now rebooted, Spiral City is dark, dank and gritty and a handful of once glorified people live a life of sorrow and misery. 

It did take me a little while to catch up on what I had read 3 years prior before the pandemic made me pause reading the Black Hammer books. But once I followed through, my memory caught up with me and I had a blast reading this book!

I'll admit, I cheated a little. There's a trio of characters that I feel in love with and I had to fumble ahead just to make sure I wouldn't be surprised with their deaths. Thankfully, they made it. But I really can't reveal much more about them or I will definitely spoil stuff. 

The ending for this book was satisfying. True, there's still questions abounding, especially about the fate of at least 1 character. But for the most part, I was pleased with the story's finale. If I wanted, I could just close the book on the story. But, I checked out 3 further volumes which all add to the backstory of the characters and their foes. Plus, I know there's still 2 or 3 more volumes out there that either my library had checked out or they having yet been collected in trade form.

But as long as Jeff Lemire (Sweet Tooth) and Dean Ormstron (2000 AD) keep knocking it out of the park with this love story to the comic book art form, I see no reason to give up on Black Hammer yet.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Larfleeze, Vol. 2: Revolt of the Orange Lanterns

YOU WILL BELIEVE A JACKASS CAN FLY!

That should be the tagline if they were ever to make a film starring Larfleeze, the Orange Lantern of Avarice!

I came across this book for just a few dollars at an Ollie's. Having first been introduced to the character in the pages of the Larfleeze Christmas Special, I took a shot on this book. And then after adding it to my collection, I promptly filled it in one of my short boxes and immediately forgot about it. Jump forward a couple of years until a few days ago, I was in the mood for something light. Thankfully, I had this Larfleeze book on hand for such a moment as that!

Larfleeze is in a panic. Oh, and he's tremendously upset! That's because someone has stolen all his stuff- including the Orange Lantern that fuels his power ring. With time running out, Larfleeze, along with his newly acquired butler, Stargrave (I.E. kidnapped), will stoop to nothing to retrieve his lost loot!

Featuring a nearly forgotten sci-fi team, the Star Rovers, a bunch of deceased aliens, and a peak behind the creation source point, I really enjoyed this cosmic romp. Pretty much, if you attach Keith Giffen and JM DeMatteis to a project, I'm going to want to read it and I'm going to enjoy it. I think it's because they just think a little bit differently about things. So I have found some kindred spirits. The co-creators of Justice League International are quirky, a little odd and a whole heck of a lot funny!

This collection of stories were part of DC's New 52 experiment. Yet, the stories inside don't read like it. The book was completely insane, mostly because after being a billion years old and under the influence of the greedy energy of the orange lantern, Larfleeze is just about as completely nuts as one can be. 

There is quite a bit of violence. The level of blood red ink is almost equal to the orange that highlights literally every page. There's quite a few 'damns' and 'hells'. But I was more surprised by gratuitous use of the a-word; especially for a 2011 book that boasts a Teen rating on the cover.

As comical as this first volume was, it's not for kids. But it was definitely a book for me. There's a volume 2 out there and I really want to get my hands on it before I start to forget what happened already. 

Darn that getting old!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.