Category: Comics Reviews

Spider-Man Reviews: Amazing Spider-Man 1, Amazing Spider-Man 2

ASM 001 coverAmazing Spider-Man #1 (March 1963) – “Spider-Man” – Stan Lee/Steve Ditko

Welcome to my first Amazing Spider-Man review. I’ve been a Spider-Man fan as far back as I can remember; one of the earliest comics I remember reading is a reprint of the Drug Trilogy in Marvel Tales 77-79 (1977). So I have read all the Amazing issues up to 700, but it’s been a while and I’m in the mood for a bit of nostalgia, so I’m going to do a re-read. I won’t go into detail on the plots, just a basic overview and then I’ll talk about some of my impressions about the stories. I’ll probably be discussing future stories to help put things in context, so expect tons of spoilers (but what else would you expect from a review site?) Anyway, let’s quit talking and get into the first story. Continue reading “Spider-Man Reviews: Amazing Spider-Man 1, Amazing Spider-Man 2”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 187, Conan the Barbarian 188

Conan 187 coverConan the Barbarian #187 – “Resurrection” – James Owsley/John Buscema/Ernie Chan

This one starts with a messenger delivering a package to an eerie castle in the middle of nowhere. He’s quite nervous and with good reason, as his delivery is to a group of wizards called the Council of Seven. The package turns out to be an ornate sword, which the Council tells the messenger to raise to the sky. A lightning bolt strikes, killing the messenger and making the Council quite happy. But they’re not quite satisfied …they want Jahli, the boy-king of El Shah Maddoc, dead, along with his protector, Conan. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 187, Conan the Barbarian 188”

Spider-Man Reviews Intro

Last week I said I’d be revealing my next review subject today and here it is. As you can tell from the image, I’ve decided to go with Spider-Man as my next subject. I have read pretty much all the Spider-Man comics at least up Amazing Fantasy 15 coveruntil a few years ago, so they won’t be new to me (especially the older, classic issues), but it’s been a long time since I read some of them so I’m looking forward to re-reading them and bringing back some great memories. I’ll start with Amazing Spider-Man #1 and go from there, since I think everyone is probably familiar with the origin story by now. I won’t get too deep into analysis or too in-depth with the plot descriptions, since there are so many websites devoted to Spider-Man lore already. I’ll just be re-reading these and commenting on whatever strikes my fancy: the art, the characters, the plotlines, whatever. I think it’ll be fun to read these after so many years, so I hope you’ll join me starting next week when I take a look at the first couple of issues of Amazing Spider-Man.

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 185, Conan the Barbarian 186

Conan 185 coverConan the Barbarian #185 – “Monument” – Jim Owsley/John Buscema/Ernie Chan

This one starts with a flashback to issue 177 where Tetra declared her love for Conan and he brushed her off. Apparently she’s a bit miffed about that, which is why she blew up the castle last issue and everyone in it. Well, everyone except Conan, who she protects with a mystical force-field so she can show him why she’s so pissed off at him. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 185, Conan the Barbarian 186”

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 154, G.I. Joe 155

GIJoe 154 coverG.I. Joe #154 (November 1994) – “Flying the Unfriendly Skies” – Peter Quinones/Ernie Stiner/Chip Wallace

This one starts at the airport with Roadblock running to make a flight. He’s headed to a big chili cook-off in Texas, which he figures he’ll win because of his special blend of extra-hot chili powder, courtesy of his grandmother’s recipe. Some Cobra agents at the airport recognize him as a Joe and do a little hacking to get him bumped from his regular flight and re-booked onto a jetliner full of undercover Cobras. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 154, G.I. Joe 155”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 183, Conan the Barbarian 184

Conan 183 coverConan the Barbarian #183 – “Blood Dawn” – Jim Owsley/John Buscema/Ernie Chan

This one starts right after last issue, with Imhotep the demon showing up on the battlefield near El Shah Maddoc to confront Conan as Shapur (the warlord Conan deposed) and Kollos (leader of the M’gai bandits) look on in fascination. Conan’s magic amulet still protects him from Imhotep, but the demon wants the amulet so it can return to its own realm. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 183, Conan the Barbarian 184”

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 152, G.I. Joe 153

GIJoe 152 coverG.I. Joe #152 (September 1994) – “Just Fade Away” – Larry Hama/Phil Gosier/Scott Koblish

This one starts with Joe Colson (the original G.I. Joe) being flown by Ace to Washington for some kind of high-level meeting. During the flight, Joe reflects on his last time in a supersonic jet and we get an extensive flashback to Vietnam, when Joe was still a First Lieutenant with Special Forces. Their hamlet was overrun and most of the team was dead, so Joe told the last couple of guys to take off while he stayed behind to blow the ammo bunker. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 152, G.I. Joe 153”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 181, Conan the Barbarian 182

Conan 181 coverConan the Barbarian #181 – “Maddoc’s Reign” – Jim Owsley/John Buscema/Ernie Chan

This one starts at the gates of El Shah Maddoc, a city whose conqueror disappeared five years ago and where corruption has since taken hold under his successor. Conan wants in and pounds the gate guards to convince them. Before it can turn into outright slaughter, a woman (Swan) lounging by the gates grants Conan asylum and leave to enter the city. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 181, Conan the Barbarian 182”

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 150, G.I. Joe 151

GIJoe 150 coverG.I. Joe #150 (July 1994) – “Slam Dance in the Cyber Castle” – Larry Hama/Phil Gosier/Chip Wallace

This one starts with Storm Shadow infiltrating the castle in Trans-Carpathia to rescue Billy and Baroness. But Cobra is expecting him and they lure him into Dr. Mindbender’s cyber-matrix chamber where Cobra Commander is waiting (wearing his new battle armour) to confront him. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 150, G.I. Joe 151”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 179, Conan the Barbarian 180

Conan 179 coverConan the Barbarian #179 – “The End of All There Is” – Jim Owsley/John Buscema/Bob Camp

This one starts with Conan and Keiv washed ashore on the meadow coast of Shem, near the town of Becharadur. A thief called Jamal stumbles across them but doesn’t even attempt to rouse them since he has bigger things on his mind … like robbing the king’s Treasure Tower. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 179, Conan the Barbarian 180”