Category: Comics Reviews

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 21, G.I. Joe 22

GIJoe 021 coverG.I. Joe #21 (March 1984) – “Silent Interlude” – Larry Hama/Steve Leialoha

As the title implies, this issue is completely silent, with no dialogue or captions to aid in the storytelling. Larry Hama did the breakdowns as well as the overall story, so he obviously had a vision of what he wanted this to be. It starts with a ninja in white (who fans will immediately recognize as Storm Shadow) bringing a prisoner to a Cobra mountain fortress. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 21, G.I. Joe 22”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 21, Conan the Barbarian 22

Conan 021 coverConan the Barbarian #21 – “The Monster of the Monoliths” – Roy Thomas/Barry Windsor Smith/Dan Adkins, Craig Russell, Val Mayerik, Sal Buscema

Last issue, Conan was part of the Turanian force that attacked Makkalet, a Hyrkanian city who had kidnapped the living god Tarim, resident for many years in the Turanian capital of Agrhrapur. The Turanian prince Yezdigerd led the attacking fleet, but his motives seem to be less about religion and more about eliminating a strong trade rival on the Vilayet Sea. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 21, Conan the Barbarian 22”

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 19, G.I. Joe 20

GIJoe 019 coverG.I. Joe #19 (January 1984) – “Joe Triumphs” – Larry Hama/Mike Vosburg/Jon D’Agostino

This one starts with the Joes building a fake operational headquarters right above the real Pit under the motor pool at Fort Wadsworth. After the Joes brought Scar-Face back last issue, he told them he was carrying the plague toxin and was meant to infect everyone at Joe headquarters. Scar-Face even managed to steal the antidote and willingly hands it over to the Joes, hoping they’ll use it to cure him. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 19, G.I. Joe 20”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 19, Conan the Barbarian 20

Conan 019 coverConan the Barbarian #19 – “Hawks From the Sea” – Roy Thomas/Barry Windsor Smith/Dan Adkins

Last issue, Conan and Fafnir were picked up by a Turanian war galley commanded by Prince Yezdigerd. He’s leading a force against a city across the Vilayet Sea and allowed (or forced) Conan and Fafnir to join his army. As the ship makes its way across the Sea, Conan sees a soldier (Balthaz) lashing a broken wooden statue to the mast. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 19, Conan the Barbarian 20”

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 17, G.I. Joe 18

GIJoe 017 coverG.I. Joe #17 (November 1983) – “Loose Ends” – Larry Hama/Mike Vosburg/Jon D’Agostino

Last issue, Hawk was shot in the back by Cobra Commander while struggling with Destro and left for dead. Turns out Hawk was wearing Kevlar but the impact of the bullets still did some damage, possibly internal, because Cobra Commander was so close. While Doc works on Hawk, Scarlett fills the others in and Gung Ho trashes the car of an annoying commuter (who has the misfortune to be driving a Shelby Cobra). Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 17, G.I. Joe 18”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 17, Conan the Barbarian 18

Conan 017 coverConan the Barbarian #17 – “The Gods of Bal-Sagoth” – Roy Thomas/Gil Kane/Ralph Reese

This one starts with Conan as a captive aboard a Turanian galley sailing the Vilayet Sea. The ship is attacked by pirates, led by Fafnir, the redheaded rogue Conan tangled with in Shadizar (in issue 6). The galley is taken and Conan wakes up tied to the mast of the pirate ship. Fafnir spared him because he needs a strong arm to help steer his ship through a storm, but when Conan realizes Fafnir is from Vanaheim, he refuses to help. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 17, Conan the Barbarian 18”

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 15, G.I. Joe 16

GIJoe 015 coverG.I. Joe #15 (September 1983) – “Red-Eye to Miami” – Larry Hama/Mike Vosburg/Jon D’Agostino

Last issue, Snake Eyes and Dr. Venom escaped from a sunken bunker at the bottom of a river in Sierra Gordo only to run straight into some Cobra troops disguised as local renegades. The Cobras are ready to kill the prisoners until Dr. Venom mentions that he’s a pilot and can get them out of the country. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 15, G.I. Joe 16”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 14, Conan the Barbarian 15

Conan 014 coverConan the Barbarian #14 – “A Sword Called Stormbringer” – Roy Thomas/Barry Windsor Smith/Sal Buscema

This story guest stars Elric of Melniboné, hero (or anti-hero maybe) of a series of books by Michael Moorcock. (Moorcock plotted this tale, along with James Cawthorn.) It starts in Koth, with Conan rescuing a maiden from some hooded and cloaked abductors. Conan soon realizes his foes aren’t quite human and is felled by the merest scratch of their blades. But some white eagles descend and chase off the weird attackers, leaving Conan to marvel as the bodies of those he killed turn to dust. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 14, Conan the Barbarian 15”

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 13, G.I. Joe 14

GIJoe 013 coverG.I. Joe #13 (July 1983) – “Last Plane From Rio Lindo” – Larry Hama/Mike Vosburg/Jon D’Agostino

Last issue, a team of Joes went to Sierra Gordo (a fictional Central American banana republic) to investigate some shady dealings by Cobra. Stalker, Gung Ho, and Breaker ended up getting their boat blasted to pieces by Baroness, who obliterated the island where Snake Eyes, Kwinn, and Dr. Venom were fighting. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 13, G.I. Joe 14”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 13, Conan the Barbarian 16

Conan 013 coverConan the Barbarian #13 – “Web of the Spider God” – Roy Thomas/Barry Windsor Smith/Sal Buscema

This one starts with Conan getting jumped by some raiders in a desert oasis. For once they’re not after him, they just want his horse. After a short fight, Conan is outnumbered and left for dead. When he awakens, he swears vengeance on the raiders, especially their leader, Sarkon. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 13, Conan the Barbarian 16”