Category: Comics Reviews

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe Special Missions 15, G.I. Joe 79, G.I. Joe 80

Special Missions 015 coverG.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”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 96, Conan the Barbarian 97

Conan 096 coverConan 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 Reviews: G.I. Joe Special Missions 14, G.I. Joe 77, G.I. Joe 78

Special Missions 014 coverG.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”

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe Special Missions 13, G.I. Joe 75, G.I. Joe 76

Special Missions 013 coverG.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”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 91, Conan the Barbarian 93

Conan 091 coverConan 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”

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 74, G.I. Joe Special Missions 12

GIJoe 074 coverG.I. Joe #74 (August 1988) – “Alliance of Convenience” – Larry Hama/Ron Wagner/Randy Emberlin

This one starts on Cobra Island with the civil war between Serpentor and Cobra Commander (who we know is actually Fred VII in disguise) throwing everything they have at each other. The team of Joes (Lt. Falcon, Spirit, Sneak Peek, Tunnel Rat, Dial-Tone, and Gung Ho) sent to recon the island observes as Baroness’s troops are pushed back by Serpentor’s forces despite their superior numbers. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 74, G.I. Joe Special Missions 12”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 89, Conan the Barbarian 90

Conan 089 coverConan the Barbarian #89 – “The Sword and the Serpent” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Ernie Chan

This one continues from last issue, with Conan, Bêlit, and Zula fleeing through the passages of the royal palace in Luxur. They find the trap door that leads to the underground tunnels but have to kill some unlucky guards that happen to be patrolling the area. More guards chase them through the tunnels and Bêlit gets confused at a branching of passages, so they pick one at random. It turns out to be the “forbidden passage”, making the guards reluctant to continue their pursuit. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 89, Conan the Barbarian 90”

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe Special Missions 11, G.I. Joe 73

Special Missions 011 coverG.I. Joe Special Missions #11 (June 1988) – “Sheep’s Clothing” – Larry Hama/Herb Trimpe

This one starts in Frankfurt, Germany, where a group of four armed robbers have taken over the main PX building at the American base and are holding hostages inside. Chuckles, Dial-Tone, and Lowlight are on the scene, but Chuckles calls in Scarlett, Lady Jaye, and Jinx from New York for back-up. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe Special Missions 11, G.I. Joe 73”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 86, Conan the Barbarian 88

Conan 086 coverConan the Barbarian #86 – “The Devourer of the Dead” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Ernie Chan

This one starts with Conan and Zula outside the Stygian capital of Luxur, studying the city before they go in to look for Bêlit. Of course, Zula is only there because he promised Conan he’d help rescue Bêlit, hoping that Conan returns the favour and helps him track down his old master in Kheshatta. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 86, Conan the Barbarian 88”

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 71, G.I. Joe 72

GIJoe 071 coverG.I. Joe #71 (May 1988) – “Bailout” – Larry Hama/Ron Wagner/Randy Emberlin

This one continues from last issue, with Wild Bill, Maverick, and Crazy Legs having to cooperate with Zarana, Monkeywrench, and Thrasher to evade General Villavaca’s troops as they search the jungles of Sierra Gordo for their downed plane. Just to complicate things, they also have a bunch of refugees (who the Dreadnoks were using as hostages to force the Joes to help them escape) who need to be looked after, plus Thrasher has a broken arm and won’t stay quiet when Wild Bill is setting it. (Crazy Legs solves that problem by knocking Thrasher out.) Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 71, G.I. Joe 72”