Category: Comics Reviews

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 31, G.I. Joe 32

GIJoe 031 coverG.I. Joe #31 (January 1985) – “All Fall Down” – Larry Hama/Rod Whigham/Andy Mushynsky

This one starts with the Joes moving a bunch of vehicles (a Mobat, Vamp, RAM, and Wolverine) out of Fort Wadsworth, which isn’t exactly inconspicuous but doesn’t seem to raise suspicion in the suburban neighbourhood surrounding the base. One guy who might be suspicious is Fred Broca, the Cobra Crimson Guardsman who’s been re-assigned to watch Fort Wadsworth for anything out of the ordinary. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 31, G.I. Joe 32”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 29, Conan the Barbarian 30

Conan 029 coverConan the Barbarian #29 – “Two Against Turan” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Ernie Chan

This one starts with Conan arriving in Aghrapur, capital of the Kingdom of Turan, where he turns a few heads even among the jaded city dwellers. As he walks the streets, a statue of the “living god Tarim” is paraded past and the people go into a frenzy of worship. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 29, Conan the Barbarian 30”

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 29, G.I. Joe 30

GIJoe 029 coverG.I. Joe #29 (November 1984) – “Beached Whale” – Larry Hama/Frank Springer/Andy Mushynsky

Last issue, the Joes ran into trouble with Cobra down in Florida and got their brand new Killer Whale hovercraft all shot up. This issue starts with them pulling the Whale into a secluded cove to do some repairs and evacuate Deep Six, who was wounded last issue. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 29, G.I. Joe 30”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 27, Conan the Barbarian 28

Conan 027 coverConan the Barbarian #27 – “The Blood of Bel-Hissar” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Ernie Chan

After last week’s digression into Savage Tales territory with “Red Nails”, we’re back to Conan’s regular storyline. This story begins with him riding through some desert land south of the Zaporoska River when he hears a woman scream. He comes upon a huge brute (Turgohl) menacing a Khitan woman (Suwaan) and quickly jumps in to help her. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 27, Conan the Barbarian 28”

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 27, G.I. Joe 28

GIJoe 027 coverG.I. Joe #27 (September 1984) – “Snake Eyes: The Origin Part II” – Larry Hama/Frank Springer/Andy Mushynsky

Last issue, some Joes (Torpedo, Trip Wire, and Mutt) went into the Everglades to flush out some Cobras (Cobra Commander, Destro, Baroness, and Zartan) who were hiding there. They captured Firefly and Wild Weasel, who quickly escaped, forcing the Joes to track them through the swamp. Meanwhile, Mutt’s dog (Junkyard) made friendly contact with the Cobras and led them into the swamp. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 27, G.I. Joe 28”

Conan Reviews: Red Nails

Conan Savage Tales 002 cover (Red Nails)“Red Nails” – Roy Thomas/Barry Windsor-Smith

This story originally appeared in Savage Tales issues 2 and 3 (which were published a few months apart), but I’m including it here because it’s part of the Chronicles of Conan reprints that I’ve been using … plus, it’s a really good story, based on one of Robert E. Howard’s best (and last) Conan tales. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Red Nails”

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 25, G.I. Joe 26

GIJoe 025 coverG.I. Joe #25 (July 1984) – “Zartan” – Larry Hama/Frank Springer/Mike Gustovich

This one starts with a squad of Joes taking Storm Shadow (who was captured last issue while he helped Cobra Commander escape Joe custody) to Alcatraz Prison. Storm Shadow doesn’t seem bothered about being taken to an inescapable prison and assumes he’ll be breaking out right away. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 25, G.I. Joe 26”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 25, Conan the Barbarian 26

Conan 025 coverConan the Barbarian #25 – “The Mirrors of Kharam-Akkad” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Sal Buscema, John Severin

This one starts in the besieged city of Makkalet, with the wizard Kharam-Akkad looking into his magic mirror again and freaking out over what he sees. We don’t get to share his vision but it must involve Conan, since Kharam-Akkad sends the guard captain (Chumballa Bey) to find the Cimmerian, knowing through his magical art that Conan is close by. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 25, Conan the Barbarian 26”

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 23, G.I. Joe 24

GIJoe 023 coverG.I. Joe #23 (May 1984) – “Cobra Commander Captured at Last” – Larry Hama/Mike Vosburg/Jon D’Agostino, John Tartagione

This one starts with Snow Job observing a chalet in the Swiss Alps where Baroness is recovering from her plastic surgery (and reading Cosmo … maybe she likes the quizzes). Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 23, G.I. Joe 24”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 23, Conan the Barbarian 24

Conan 023 coverConan the Barbarian #23 – “The Shadow of the Vulture” – Roy Thomas/Barry Windsor Smith/Sal Buscema, Dan Adkins, Chic Stone

This one starts in Pah-Dishah, a city three weeks’ ride from Makkalet, where Conan has come to deliver a plea for help to the king (Ghannif), whose daughter Melissandra is Queen of Makkalet, currently under siege by the armies of Prince Yezdigerd. Conan has a little trouble getting in to see the king, who doesn’t seem too worried to hear his daughter is in trouble. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 23, Conan the Barbarian 24”