Category: Comics Reviews

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 59, G.I. Joe 60

GIJoe 059 coverG.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 Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 61, Conan the Barbarian 62

Conan 061 coverConan 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 Reviews: G.I. Joe Special Missions 4, G.I. Joe 58

Special Missions o4 coverG.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”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 59, Conan the Barbarian 60

Conan 059 coverConan the Barbarian #59 – “The Ballad of Bêlit” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Steve Gan

This one starts with Bêlit and Conan leading the crew of the Tigress against a Stygian galley. They make short work of the Stygians and Conan notices that Bêlit has a special hatred towards them. She’s not inclined to talk about it so Conan asks the Ship’s shaman (N’yaga), who has known Bêlit for years. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 59, Conan the Barbarian 60”

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe Special Missions 3, G.I. Joe 57

Special Missions 03 coverG.I. Joe Special Missions #3 (February 1987) – “Burn-out” – Larry Hama/Herb Trimpe

This one starts with some Joes (Stalker, Leatherneck, and Slipstream) hanging out undercover at a café in some unidentified Middle Eastern country. They’re with an American mercenary pilot (Deke) who flies MiGs for the local dictator, Colonel Sharif. But Deke is helping the Joes, who want to get inside Sharif’s airbase. Unfortunately, the café owner is a spy for Sharif and lets him known about Deke’s treachery. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe Special Missions 3, G.I. Joe 57”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 57, Conan the Barbarian 58

Conan 057 coverConan the Barbarian #57 – “Incident in Argos” – Roy Thomas/Mike Ploog

This one starts with Conan, Tara, and Yusef arriving in Messantia, capital of Argos. Conan is looking for mercenary work and is very disappointed to find out Argos has just signed a peace treaty with Stygia. He takes out his frustrations on some arrogant guardsmen who think they own the streets. Conan and the others take off but realize all the city guards will be looking for them. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 57, Conan the Barbarian 58”

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 55, G.I. Joe 56

GIJoe 055 coverG.I. Joe #55 (January 1987) – “Unmaskings” – Larry Hama/Rod Whigham/Andy Mushynsky

This one opens with Destro and Cobra Commander trying to figure a way out of the remains of the Pit before they drown. (Well, Destro is trying to figure a way out, while Cobra Commander throws a temper tantrum.) Figuring the Joes must have more than one emergency escape route, Destro finds a tunnel-boring machine that they can use to dig their way to the surface. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 55, G.I. Joe 56”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 55, Conan the Barbarian 56

Conan 055 coverConan the Barbarian #55 – “A Shadow on the Land” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Tom Palmer

This one continues from last issue, with Conan, Tara, and Yusef returning from the oracle and trying to figure out what her cryptic words mean. They run into the shadow creature not far from Ronnoco and it has grown even bigger after devouring so many people. Conan and company return to King Belzamo’s throne room, where Yvonna is telling the king she won’t marry his son, Vanni. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 55, Conan the Barbarian 56”

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 54, G.I. Joe Special Missions 2

GIJoe 054 coverG.I. Joe #54 (December 1986) – “Launch Base” – Larry Hama/Rod Whigham/Sam De La Rosa

This one opens with Snake Eyes and Scarlett honouring Destro with a bouquet of flowers on the site where the Pit collapsed last issue. They’re not the only ones, as Baroness glides by to drop a wreath for her dead boyfriend. Meanwhile on Cobra Island, Serpentor is enjoying his new position as Cobra leader (since Cobra Commander supposedly died alongside Destro) and makes a deal with the new provisional government of Sierra Gordo to buy a Terror Drome from Cobra. (The Terror Drome is a launch base for a Firebat jet, which can take down pretty much any plane that gets too close.) Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 54, G.I. Joe Special Missions 2”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 53, Conan the Barbarian 54

Conan 053 coverConan the Barbarian #53 – “Brothers of the Blade” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Frank Springer

This one starts with Murilo and his Crimson Company (which includes Conan and his new squire, Tara) approaching the city of Ronnoco. The city leaders have hired them to recover the Ring of the Black Shadow, but their reception isn’t too warm, with archers firing at them from the walls. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 53, Conan the Barbarian 54”