Reviews, ruminations, and (occasional) ramblings.
Conan the Barbarian #73 – “He Who Waits—in the Well of Skelos” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Ernie Chan
This one continues right from last issue, with Conan and Bêlit returning to the Tigress from Asgalun. Bêlit is still reeling from the knowledge that her father (once King of Asgalun) is still alive and in captivity somewhere in Stygia. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 73, Conan the Barbarian 74”
G.I. Joe #63 (September 1987) – “Going Under” – Larry Hama/Ron Wagner/Andy Mushynsky
This one starts with Snake Eyes, Scarlett, Flint, and Lady Jaye on leave in Grenada. Snake Eyes is stewing over Stalker, Snow Job, and Quick Kick being captured in Borovia, but since their mission wasn’t officially sanctioned, nobody is allowed to make a rescue attempt, not even a covert one. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 63, G.I. Joe 64”
Conan the Barbarian #71 – “The Secret of Ashtoreth” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Ernie Chan
This one continues from last issue, with Conan, Bêlit, and some of her pirates in a dungeon in the city of Kelka, where they were captured as sacrifices by the high priest (Akkheba, who drugged their wine) after doing him the favour of fighting off some Barachan pirates menacing the city. Akkheba drops by to taunt them, but one of the pirates finds a hidden tunnel out of their cell. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 71, Conan the Barbarian 72”
G.I. Joe Special Missions #6 (August 1987) – “Evasion” – Larry Hama/Herb Trimpe
This one continues from G.I. Joe 61, showing us how Outback escaped into the sewers in Borovia’s capital city, while his teammates (Stalker, Snow Job, and Quick Kick) were caught by the Borovian Army. The Joes were in Borovia to rescue a political prisoner, but he was already exchanged for a Borovian spy and since their mission is top secret (and utterly deniable), they weren’t told about the exchange. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe Special Missions 6, G.I. Joe 62”
Conan the Barbarian #69 – “The Demon Out of the Deep” – Roy Thomas/Val Mayerik/The Tribe
If you’re wondering what happened to issues 66-68, I skipped them because I’m using the Chronicles of Conan editions for these reviews and those issues are omitted. They feature Red Sonja and she’s owned by a different company, so Dark Horse was forced to leave those stories out. If I get my hands on some copies I might go back and review them someday, but for now I’m sticking with the Chronicles and moving on to issue 69. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 69, Conan the Barbarian 70”
G.I. Joe Special Missions #5 (June 1987) – “Showdown” – Larry Hama/Herb Trimpe
This one starts on Cobra Island, with a ground crew prepping the Night Raven stealth fighter for a recon flight. The crew are all impressed by the plane’s tech (including low-tech stuff like a breakout tool to be used if the canopy jams in a crash), but much less so with its pilot, the Strato-Viper. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe Special Missions 5, G.I. Joe 61”
Conan the Barbarian #63 – “Death Among the Ruins” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Steve Gan
This one continues from last issue, with Makeda leading Conan and the Watambis to the ruined city where Amra plans to marry Bêlit. Conan is so focused on saving Bêlit, he doesn’t know (or doesn’t care) that Makeda cast a spell to raise the dead of the lost city. Bêlit doesn’t want to be Amra’s mate, but he’s not giving her a choice. He shows his battle prowess by killing a lion with a knife when it threatens Bêlit, but Conan also kills a lion (with a sword) on the way to the city, so it seems the two titans are evenly matched. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 63, Conan the Barbarian 65”
G.I. Joe #59 (May 1987) – “Divergent Paths” – Larry Hama/Ron Wagner/Bob McLeod
This one starts in Denver at the garage hideout of Crimson Guardsman Fred (that’s Fred VII for those keeping score), where Cobra Commander and his son Billy are staying. Fred has built a prosthetic leg to replace the one Billy lost in the explosion, but Billy’s having a little trouble getting used to it. He catapults into a martial arts stance to keep from falling, surprising himself as much as the others, since he still has no memory of his old life. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 59, G.I. Joe 60”
Conan the Barbarian #61 – “On the Track of the She-Pirate” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Steve Gan
This one continues from last issue, with Conan getting ready to go after the Dragon-Rider tribe who kidnapped Bêlit from the Watambi village. The Watambi chief (Ombassa) warns Conan not to trek through the jungle alone and offers to send some of his warriors as guides. But one of Bêlit’s crew (Kawaku) thinks she should be left to her fate, since she’s supposed to be the daughter of a goddess. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 61, Conan the Barbarian 62”
G.I. Joe Special Missions #4 (April 1987) – “No Holds Barred” – Larry Hama/Herb Trimpe
This one starts with a team of Joes (Wild Bill, Roadblock, Leatherneck, and Lifeline) in a cargo plane being pursued by a Russian HIND helicopter over the Malay Peninsula. The Joes have retrieved a Cobra Firebat and are trying to get the electronic black boxes out so they’ll know the technical specs of the plane, but the Oktober Guard want the black boxes too. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe Special Missions 4, G.I. Joe 58”