Category: Comics Reviews

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 35, G.I. Joe 36

GIJoe 035 coverG.I. Joe #35 (May 1985) – “Dreadnoks on the Loose” – Larry Hama/Rod Whigham, Mark Bright, Bob Camp/Andy Mushynsky, Mike Esposito

This one starts with the Dreadnoks(Buzzer, Torch, and Ripper) admiring Zartan’s new motorbike. Buzzer demonstrates the holographic projector that allows the bike to look like something else (a van, a car, a semi-truck) and explains that it’s the same technology Zartan uses to make himself look like someone else. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 35, G.I. Joe 36”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 33, Conan the Barbarian 34

Conan 033 coverConan the Barbarian #33 – “Death and 7 Wizards” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Ernie Chan

Last issue, Conan was sent to the city of Wan Tengri in Khitai by a Turanian commander who wanted him to gather information for a possible invasion. The city is ruled by seven mysterious wizards who fill the skies with flames from a high tower. Conan ran afoul of one of the wizards and ended up fleeing the city guard, swimming through a watery tunnel where he fought an octopus-woman (which may or may not have been an illusion) before crawling out of a pool in the garden and collapsing. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 33, Conan the Barbarian 34”

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 33, G.I. Joe 34

GIJoe 033 coverG.I. Joe #33 (March 1985) – “Celebration” – Larry Hama/Frank Springer/Andy Mushynsky

This one starts with General Austin arriving at the Pit before the big opening ceremony. We see Snake Eyes, Airborne, and Spirit in the infirmary recovering from their adventure in the High Sierras last issue. When Scarlett comes in to talk to Snake Eyes (after having a long conversation with the Soft Master), Airborne figures he and Spirit should give the two lovebirds some privacy … but Spirit is already gone. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 33, G.I. Joe 34”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 31, Conan the Barbarian 32

Conan 031 coverConan the Barbarian #31 – “The Shadow in the Tomb” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Ernie Chan

This one starts with Conan serving as a mercenary with a cohort of Turanian soldiers. They’re looking for rebel hill tribes and find them soon enough, when the hill-men ambush them near some rocky cliffs. Conan is in the middle of the fight (naturally), but the Turanians are badly outnumbered so their captain (Malthuz) orders a retreat into the rocky hills. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 31, Conan the Barbarian 32”

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”