Reviews, ruminations, and (occasional) ramblings.
Conan the Barbarian #98 – “Sea-Woman” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Ernie Chan
This one starts with a lookout on Bêlit’s ship spotting something amazing in the sea … a beautiful blue-skinned woman standing on a lily pad. Naturally, all the men (including Conan) want to bring her on board, but Bêlit is suspicious of her (either from legitimate caution or jealousy). Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 98, Conan the Barbarian 99”
G.I. Joe Special Missions #15 (November 1988) – “… and Into the Fire” – Larry Hama/Herb Trimpe/Andy Mushynsky
Last issue, Scarlett, Snake Eyes, Chuckles, Iceberg, and CIA agent Anderson went to a hidden valley in the Himalayas to find a renegade CIA operative named Esterhazy who supposedly died twenty years ago. Esterhazy’s original mission was to help the people of Chomo Lungma (a fictional stand-in for Tibet) fight the Chinese imperialists, but when Nixon and Mao settled some of their differences diplomatically, that meant Esterhazy’s mission was no longer needed. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe Special Missions 15, G.I. Joe 79, G.I. Joe 80”
Summer School Part 4 – Director: Lea Thompson/Writer: Taylor Streitz
This one starts with Artemis Crock visiting her parents in prison. They try to get her to forget about their problems and concentrate on her upcoming football game, since a big college scout will be there. But Artemis is having a hard time dealing with everything, especially since an asshole guard keeps taunting her. Continue reading “Stargirl Reviews: Season 2, Episode 4”
Conan the Barbarian #96 – “The Long Night of Fang and Talon Part 1” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Ernie Chan
This one continues from last issue, with Conan following the lion Sholo, hoping to find a secret way into the ancient city of Abombi where Bêlit is being held by Ajaga, a tribal chief who has learned how to command animals. Conan figures Ajaga’s siren call is bringing Sholo to his city and Conan can follow the lion to find Bêlit, but he’s not sure what’ll happen if Ajaga orders Sholo to attack Conan himself. (Sholo’s loyalty is due to Conan killing his former master, Amra, but it’s a tenuous connection at best.) Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 96, Conan the Barbarian 97”
G.I. Joe Special Missions #14 (October 1988) – “In From the Cold” – Larry Hama/Herb Trimpe/Andy Mushynsky
This one starts with some Joes (Chuckles, Iceberg, Snake Eyes, and Scarlett) in a old Dakota plane flying through the Himalayas in the (fictitious) region of Chomo Lungma. They have a CIA case officer named Anderson with them (who you’ll remember from issue 8) and he’s guiding them to a hidden valley. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe Special Missions 14, G.I. Joe 77, G.I. Joe 78”
Summer School Part 3 – Director: Lea Thompson/Writers: Turi Meyer, Alfredo Septien
This one stars eleven years ago on Christmas Eve, the night the JSA were wiped out by the Injustice Society. This time we see Pat and Johnny Thunder, both of whom were left behind at JSA headquarters. Continue reading “Stargirl Reviews: Season 2, Episode 3”
Conan the Barbarian #94 – “The Beast-King of Abombi” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Ernie Chan
This one starts with Conan and Bêlit saying goodbye to Zula, who has decided to forsake revenge in Kheshatta and head north instead. A handful of Bêlit’s corsairs are going with him, their desire for adventure on land stirred by the recent fights in Asgalun. Zula says his farewells and gives Conan and Bêlit one last reminder of his hypnotic abilities (by seeming to vanish) before leading his new friends inland. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 94, Conan the Barbarian 95”
G.I. Joe Special Missions #13 (September 1988) – “Washout” – Larry Hama/Herb Trimpe
This one starts in the (fictional) country of Trucial Abysmia, in northeast Africa. Dusty and Outback re with a couple of provisional Joes (Lightfoot and Mangler) on an evaluation run to see how they perform in the field. The mission is supposed to be easy, but they get ambushed by some government troops. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe Special Missions 13, G.I. Joe 75, G.I. Joe 76”
Summer School Part 2 – Director: Andi Armaganian/Writer: James Dale Robinson
This one starts with Cindy Burman’s stepmom (Bobbie) enjoying a glass of wine at the Burman house as she trashes the kitchen. Bobbie (who no longer looks like a Stepford Wife) is getting ready to leave now that Dragon King is dead. But just as she reaches the door, Cindy shows up and uses the Eclipso gem to take over Bobbie’s mind. Continue reading “Stargirl Reviews: Season 2, Episode 2”
Conan the Barbarian #91 – “Savage Doings in Shem” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Ernie Chan
This one starts with Conan, Bêlit, and Zula meeting Bêlit’s ship (the Tigress) on the coast. The crew are happy to have her and Conan back and welcome Zula and his blade. That night, the crew celebrate the return of their captain (who they still think of as part goddess) with a wild celebration. Zula impresses the crew by hypnotizing one of them into thinking he’s a bird, but Zula has to stop him before he tries to “fly” right into the mouth of a hungry crocodile. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 91, Conan the Barbarian 93”