Reviews, ruminations, and (occasional) ramblings.
Conan the Barbarian #53 – “Brothers of the Blade” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Frank Springer
This one starts with Murilo and his Crimson Company (which includes Conan and his new squire, Tara) approaching the city of Ronnoco. The city leaders have hired them to recover the Ring of the Black Shadow, but their reception isn’t too warm, with archers firing at them from the walls. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 53, Conan the Barbarian 54”
G.I. Joe Special Missions #1 (October 1986) – “That Sinking Feeling” – Larry Hama/Herb Trimpe
This one starts with a team of Joes (Cutter, Shipwreck, Torpedo, Wetsuit, and Deep Six) aboard a Swedish trawler (the Christina) in the Baltic Sea. They’re obviously not there for the sights and we see the Russians have sent the Oktober Guard to check them out, with Colonel Brekhov and Daina flying over them in a HIND chopper. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: Special Missions 1, G.I. Joe 53”
A Family Affair – Director: Harvey Crossland/Writer: Jennifer Kassabian, Keri Ferencz
This one starts with the gals celebrating Trudy’s new job, working full-time as an investigator for Webley Insurance. Frankie is leaving too, but only for a few months; she’s going to Europe with Alessandro to support him on the racing circuit. As the girls get ready to head out for more celebrating, Frankie’s brother Jack shows up. (Remember him from A Brother in Arms?) The others leave Frankie to talk with Jack, who drops a bombshell: their father (Ned) is still alive. Continue reading “Frankie Drake Mysteries Reviews: Season 4, Episode 10”
Conan the Barbarian #51 – “Man Born of Demon” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Dick Giordano
This one starts with Conan arriving (finally!) in the capital city of Phalkar to complete his mission. He’s impersonating a merchant and bullies his way through some guards to get to the usurper, Unos. Conan presents Unos with a gift, a golden bird that he says can answer questions about the past, present, and future. The two wizards who killed the true regent and installed Unos in his place (Thalkalides and Elviriom) don’t believe the bird can prophesy (or maybe they just fear losing influence with Unos), but the acting regent is eager to hear what the bird will say about his future. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 51, Conan the Barbarian 52”
G.I. Joe #51 (September 1986) – “Thunder Machine” – Larry Hama/Rod Whigham/Andy Mushynsky
This one continues where last issue left off, with the Dreadnoks and Storm Shadow meeting Zartan’s sister (Zarana) in their gas station hideout in New Jersey. They also meet Zandar (Zartan and Zarana’s brother) and another Dreadnok named Thrasher, who used to run with them years ago. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 51, G.I. Joe 52”
Showstoppers – Director: Peter Stebbings/Writers: Peter Mitchell, Rebecca Liddiard
This one starts with Mary going to a theatre while a dance rehearsal is in progress. Mary seems to admire the dancers (especially one of the guys), but is there on business, since the costumes are so scanty they violate several city ordinances. (The outfits just look like regular ballet costumes, but I suppose that was risqué for the 1920s.) Continue reading “Frankie Drake Mysteries Reviews: Season 4, Episode 9”
Conan the Barbarian #49 – “Wolf-Woman” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Dick Giordano
Last issue, Conan was captured by a bandit lord named Torkal Moh and staked out for some rats to devour. He manages to cut himself free by breaking the ceramic bowl of water Torkal Moh left to taunt him, and he rips the stakes out of the round, scaring the rats away. Conan follows Torkal Moh’s trail and finds water, but he’s beset by wolves. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 49, Conan the Barbarian 50”
G.I. Joe #49 (July 1986) – “Serpentor” – Larry Hama/Rod Whigham/Andy Mushynsky
This one starts with Destro and Dr. Mindbender stealing a mummy from a museum in the Middle East and taking it back to Springfield. The Frankenstein parallels continue, with Mindbender planning to extract the DNA from the stolen remains of history’s greatest warriors, mix it together and put it into an artificial body he’s grown, then fill that new creation with historical knowledge to create the ultimate conqueror. (The idea was Mindbender’s, but Cobra Commander is behind him all the way.) Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 49, G.I. Joe 50”
I just received the latest volume of Ron Randall’s Trekker (with the provocative title of Spice) and it’s another great read. Mercy is forced to work with someone who’s a lot like her in certain ways, yet completely opposite in others. Naturally, complications ensue, but it wouldn’t be a Trekker story if it wasn’t full of action, intrigue, and a few surprises. Ron Randall has done another spectacular job with the art and writing and he’s still giving out plenty of
swag as Kickstarter rewards. This time there are stickers, pins, a poster, and a bookmark … I’m running out of room to keep everything I’ve received in all the recent campaigns. Gulliver enjoyed the story too, although he’s still hoping for an ape hero to show up. Maybe next volume. If you’d like to check out Trekker yourself, go right ahead … maybe you’ll end up falling in love with it like I did.
Sweet Justice – Director: Bosede Williams/Writers: Jennifer Kassabian, Robina Lord-Stafford
This one starts with Trudy and her family moving into their new house (and naturally Mildred recruits Frankie, Mary, and Flo to help move stuff). Trudy is pretty happy, but they hear a disturbance outside and find a woman across the street pounding a fire hydrant with a sledgehammer. Continue reading “Frankie Drake Mysteries Reviews: Season 4, Episode 8”