Reviews, ruminations, and (occasional) ramblings.
G.I. Joe #94 (December 1989) – “Exterminating Circumstances” – Larry Hama/M.D. Bright/Randy Emberlin
This one starts with Snake Eyes at Dr. Hundtkinder’s clinic in Switzerland, undergoing surgery to reconstruct his ravaged face. The surgery is going pretty well, but neither Snake Eyes nor Scarlett know that Hundtkinder has tipped off the Baroness and that she believes Snake Eyes killed her brother years ago in Saigon. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 94, G.I. Joe 95”
G.I. Joe Special Missions #28 (November 1989) – “Condor” – Larry Hama/Herb Trimpe
This one starts with Ace, Slipstream, and Payload launching in the Joe space shuttle for a top secret mission. Another team is standing by as support on the USS Flagg aircraft carrier in the Caribbean, but a heavy storm limits their chances to do anything meaningful. Meanwhile, the Joes have talked the president of Punta Del Mucosa (a fictional country right beside the equally fictional Sierra Gordo) into letting them establish a secret base in his country. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe Special Missions 28, G.I. Joe 93”
Conan the Barbarian #121 – “The Price of Perfection” – J.M. DeMatteis/John Buscema/Bob McLeod
This one starts with Conan in Khorshemish, hanging out with a couple of doxies. He sees a huge man getting attacked by thieves in an alley and runs to help after noticing a beautiful woman is also under attack. Conan routs the thieves, but the giant (Atreah) saves him from a knife in the back. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 121, Conan the Barbarian 122”
G.I. Joe #92 (November 1989) – “Thunderclap” – Larry Hama/Mark Bright/Randy Emberlin
This one starts with Cross-Country, Rumbler, and Long Range on a train with the president of the (fictional) republic of Punta Del Mucosa. The Joes are there to demonstrate the Thunderclap artillery piece for El Presidente. Of course, Punta Del Mucosa just happens to be right beside Sierra Gordo, where all hell just broke lose with the treacherous El Jefe just sold out to the North American Banana Monopoly. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 92, G.I. Joe Special Missions 27”
Conan the Barbarian #119 – “The Voice of One Long Gone” – J.M. DeMatteis/John Buscema/Bob McLeod, Sal Buscema
This one continues from last issue, with the villagers celebrating Myya’s death, but Conan is in a dark mood and refuses to take part in the revels, even when a drunken Jenna tries to entice him. Conan takes off and Jenna decides to go with him rather than deal with the losers who start hitting on her. They have to stop for Jenna to be sick and Conan confides that his mood is because he feels a strange presence hanging over him, a presence that reminds him of someone he knew back in Cimmeria … his grandfather, Drogin. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 119, Conan the Barbarian 120”
G.I. Joe #91 (October 1989) – “No Simple Solutions” – Larry Hama/Tony Salmons/Randy Emberlin
This one continues from last issue, with Zartan and Blind Master squaring of in an alley in San Francisco. They’re pretty evenly matched and keep up a running argument over Zartan’s betrayal of Professor Onihashi and his killing of the Hard Master. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 91, G.I. Joe Special Missions 26”
Conan the Barbarian #117 – “The Corridor of Mullah-Kajar” – Larry Hama/John Buscema/Ernie Chan
This one starts in Zamboula, which has recently been taken over by Mullah-Kajar, a priest of Hanuman, who has sent the Turanian satrap fleeing into exile. The Ziggurat of Hanuman is warded by a labyrinthine approach that’s full of conjured guardians, but the sentries inside are still nervous. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 117, Conan the Barbarian 118”
G.I. Joe Special Missions #25 (September 1989) – “Forced Play” – Larry Hama/Herb Trimpe/Danny Bulanadi
This one starts at a warehouse in Brooklyn where cops and Feds have some terrorists hemmed in. The terrorists are from Lower Darklonia and are trying to free their country from the oppressive yoke of Upper Darklonia by blowing stuff up in the United States. Yeah, I’m not really sure how that works either. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe Special Missions 25, G.I. Joe 90”
Conan the Barbarian #115 – “A War of Wizards” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Ernie Chan
This one starts with Conan still making his way towards Akkharia, when he’s startled by the appearance of a green light with a face inside it … a familiar face. It’s the wizard Zukala (who we last saw in issue 15) using magic to speak to Conan even though body is far away in Ghaza. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 115, Conan the Barbarian 116”
G.I. Joe Special Missions #24 (August 1989) – “Ladies Day” – Herb Trimpe/Dave Cockrum/Danny Bulanadi
This one starts at a baseball game in New York between the Mites and Dandees (obviously meant to be the Mets and Yankees) which the President is attending. The Joes have a team there (Hawk, Lt. Falcon, Zap, Doc, Tunnel Rat, Hardball, and Heavy Metal) for PR and extra security, including Lady Jaye, Scarlett, Jinx, and Cover Girl undercover (so to speak) as scantily-dressed cheerleaders. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe Special Missions 24, G.I. Joe 89”