Category: Comics Reviews

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe Special Missions 6, G.I. Joe 62

Special Missions 06 coverG.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 Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 69, Conan the Barbarian 70

Conan 069 coverConan 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 Reviews: G.I. Joe Special Missions 5, G.I. Joe 61

Special Missions 05 coverG.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 Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 63, Conan the Barbarian 65

Conan 063 coverConan 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 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”