Reviews, ruminations, and (occasional) ramblings.
Dealer’s Choice – Director: Ruba Nadda/Writer: John Callaghan
This one starts with a young guy (Sean Murphy) hiring Frankie and Trudy to find his stolen silver pocket watch. The watch obviously means a lot to Sean, as he gives them a fifty dollar advance and promises another fifty when they find it. Continue reading “Frankie Drake Mysteries Reviews: Season 2, Episode 9”
Conan the Barbarian #7 – “The Lurker Within” – Roy Thomas/Barry Windsor Smith/Dan Adkins, Sal Buscema
This one starts with Conan on the Road of Kings outside Numalia, second-largest city in Nemedia. He saves a high-born lady (Aztrias) from wolves and agrees to drive her chariot to the city (since he probably would’ve been refused entry otherwise). Inside the teeming city, Conan runs the chariot into another, driven by Kallian, owner of the Hall of Relics. A guard captain (Dionus) intervenes and Conan is ready to fight until Aztrias smooths things over. (She’s the governor’s niece, so the other two defer to her.) Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 7, Conan the Barbarian 8”
G.I. Joe #5 (November 1982) – “Tanks For the Memories” – Larry Hama/Don Perlin/Jon D’Agostino, Mike Esposito
This one starts with Steeler, Breaker, and Clutch showing off the Mobat (Mobile Armored Battle Tank) to Scarlett. She’s not impressed by all the sophisticated hardware, saying that a tank is a tool not a toy. (Kind of ironic, since Marvel’s deal with Hasbro meant that Larry Hama was forced to introduce all the toys and action figures into the comic.) Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 5, G.I. Joe 6”
Diamonds Are a Gal’s Best Friend – Director: Peter Stebbings/Writer: Carol Hay
This one starts with Frankie and Trudy out in the country, investigating a stolen horse. The farmer (Sommers) complains about the missing horse then casually mentions his daughter Camille has disappeared too. Camille only goes into town (with the horse) twice a week to deliver produce, but today’s not her day to go. Sommers claims Camille is an innocent, god-fearing girl, but Trudy finds some booze and a trashy romance novel hidden in the barn. They find a man’s shoeprints, a Turkish cigarette butt, and a torn scrap of Camille’s dress. They wonder if she ran off with a lover, or if she was running from someone else. Continue reading “Frankie Drake Mysteries Reviews: Season 2, Episode 8”
Conan the Barbarian #5 – “Zukala’s Daughter” – Roy Thomas/Barry Windsor Smith/Frank Giacoia
This one starts with Conan passing through a village in Zamora on his way to the debauched city known as Shadizar the Wicked. As Conan talks to a weaponsmith, the skies darken and the smith freaks out, telling Conan the local warlord (Zukala) has sent someone to collect a tribute in gold from the villagers. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 5, Conan the Barbarian 6”
G. I. Joe #3 (September 1982) – “The Trojan Gambit” – Larry Hama/Herb Trimpe/Jack Abel, Jon D’Agostino
This one starts with the aftermath of a battle between the Joes and Cobra, in which the Joes have captured a Cobra stronghold and everything inside, including a sophisticated battle robot. The robot is dismantled and taken to the Pit, the Joes’ secret headquarters under the Chaplain’s Assistants’ Motor Pool at Fort Wadsworth. (And from the title of this story, you can probably guess what’s going to happen.) Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 3, G.I. Joe 4”
50 Shades of Greyson – Director: Cal Coons/Writer: Jessie Gabe
This one starts in the Krazy Kitten Club with a dancer (C.C. Storm) doing a fan dance. She keeps her breasts covered (which really bothers a loudmouthed guy in the audience) until she notices a red light at the foot of the stage go out, then she drops the fans to show off her charms. Continue reading “Frankie Drake Mysteries Reviews: Season 2, Episode 7”
Conan the Barbarian #3 – “Twilight of the Grim Grey God” – Roy Thomas/Barry Windsor Smith/Sal Buscema
This story begins with a manacled Conan making his way through the wilds of Hyperborea. He runs into a grey-haired warrior, who tells him Hyperborea and Brythunia will soon be embroiled in a border war. Conan gets snotty with the guy, who tells him to respect his betters and shows him some Valkyrie-type maidens riding through the sky. It’s obvious this is some kind of god, but Conan doesn’t seem too impressed. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 3, Conan the Barbarian 4”
G.I. Joe #1 (June 1982) – “Operation: Lady Doomsday” – Larry Hama/Herb Trimpe/Bob McLeod
This is my first G.I. Joe review, but I’ve actually read quite a few of these issues before so this isn’t completely new territory to me. It has been a long time since I’ve read them, but I remember liking the series overall, at least until it turned into Snake Eyes and His Amazing Friends. Don’t get me wrong, I like ninjas as much as anyone (and Larry Hama came up with some great stories about Snake Eyes, Storm Shadow, Zartan, Firefly, and the rest), but I prefer when they’re just part of the story, not the sole focus. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 1, G.I. Joe 2”
Extra Innings – Director: Sudz Sutherland/Writer: John Callaghan
This one starts with the ladies attending a baseball game featuring the Toronto Sparrows (a woman’s team). Mary is really into it (she plays in a recreational league), while Flo doesn’t seem too interested. Frankie and Trudy are casual fans (although Frankie seems to enjoy flirting with Brody, the concession stand guy). Continue reading “Frankie Drake Mysteries Reviews: Season 2, Episode 6”