Reviews, ruminations, and (occasional) ramblings.
G.I. Joe #148 (May 1994) – “Irresistible Forces” – Larry Hama/Phil Gosier/Chip Wallace, Scott Koblish
This one starts with Flint and Lady Jaye parachuting into Wolkekuckuckland to help Stalker and Duke advise General Liederkranz about the Cobra invasion. (Their recognition signals are in the language of Mordor, although Stalker refers to it as Orcish.) Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 148, G.I. Joe 149”
Conan the Barbarian #177 – “Well of Souls” – Jim Owsley/John Buscema/Pablo Marcos
This one starts with Conan, Tetra, and Delmurio sailing through rough seas ten days out of Messantia. They’re looking for the island shown on their treasure map, but the captain is worried they might be sailing to their deaths. While he and the crew confront Conan, Delmurio and Tetra argue about her feelings for Conan. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 177, Conan the Barbarian 178”
G.I. Joe #146 (March 1994) – “Immovable Objects” – Larry Hama/Phil Gosier/Chip Wallace, Stave Alexandrov
This one starts with a team of Joes (including Duke and Roadblock) in space aboard the Defiant shuttle. They’re approaching a Russian shuttle in orbit and things sound a bit tense, but the Cold War was over by this time, so I’m assuming they’re just on some kind of diplomatic mission. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 146, G.I. Joe 147”
Conan the Barbarian #175 – “The Scarlet Personage” – Jim Owsley/John Buscema/Ernie Chan
This one continues from last issue, with Conan, Tetra, and Delmurio still on their quest for treasure. But the civil war in Zingara has made people desperate and they’re accosted by some fishermen who have turned to banditry now that trade has dried up. Conan and company (including Tetra, who starts out disguised as an old hag) make short work of the bandits and continue on to Cascan, a town built into the banks of the Thunder River. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 175, Conan the Barbarian 176”
G.I. Joe #144 (January 1994) – “Snake Eyes: The Tale Untold” – Larry Hama/William Rosado/Chip Wallace
This one starts right after the end of issue 142, with the Joes getting ready to leave Millville after pushing Cobra out. Hawk shows up and tells them Scarlett needs to go to the Pentagon for a debriefing and that Snake Eyes, Stalker, and Rock n’Roll are coming with them as security. On the chopper, everyone starts thinking about an old mission, specifically the one where Snake Eyes face got fucked up and he lost his voice saving Scarlett, a mission that’s been alluded to but never shown in detail. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 144, G.I. Joe 145”
Conan the Barbarian #173 – “Honor Among Thieves” – Jim Owsley/John Buscema/Bob Camp
This one continues from last issue with a troop of 100 Zingaran soldiers searching the Pictish Wilderness for someone … probably the same someone that Zacharus came looking for. The Zingarans run into Tetra in her new warrior’s guise. She seems to have learned fighting skills very quickly, as she takes down two scouts rather easily. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 173, Conan the Barbarian 174”
G.I. Joe #142 (November 1993) – “Final Transformations” – Larry Hama/Jesse Orozco, William Rosado/Tim Tuohy, Chip Wallace, Ariane Lenshoek, Steve Alexandrov
This one continues from last issue, with Scarlett confronting Megatron and demanding he let Sidney Biggles-Jones go. Before Megatron can squash Scarlett, he’s attacked by Autobots but he does pretty well against them thanks to Sidney’s new tech that’s been integrated into his systems. He shoves Sidney inside his chest cavity (since he needs her brain and spinal cord intact) and Scarlett prepares to rescue the scientist. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 142, G.I. Joe 143”
Conan the Barbarian #171 – “Barbarian Death Song” – Michael Fleisher/John Buscema/Armando Gil
This one starts with Conan leading a Nemedian army against the invading Aquilonians and pushing them back. His tactics have won the day after six months of back-and-forth struggle, so the Nemedians are eager to make him permanent commander of their army. But Conan is too restless to stay in one place too long and declines the offer. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 171, Conan the Barbarian 172”
G.I. Joe #140 (September 1993) – “Goin’ South” – Larry Hama/Chris Batista/Chip Wallace
This one starts with Megatron taking Cobra Commander and his crew to Canada where the Decepticons’ Ark is hidden. They’re amazed by the Ark’s technology, especially Sidney Biggles-Jones, but Scarlett suggests that once Dr. Mindbender is revived Cobra Comaander won’t need Sidney’s brainpower anymore. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 140, G.I. Joe 141”
Conan the Barbarian #169 – “Tomb of the Scarlet Mage” – Michael Fleisher/John Buscema/Bob Camp
This one starts with Conan being chased through a snowstorm by some scumbags who want to kill him. (A fairly common occurrence, but this time it’s because he discovered their brother trying to snatch his coin purse and strangled the would-be thief.) Conan’s horse goes down in the snow and his sword is broken, so he takes off. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 169, Conan the Barbarian 170”