Category: Comics Reviews

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”

G.I. Joe Reviews: Special Missions 1, G.I. Joe 53

GIJoe Special Missions 01 coverG.I. Joe Special Missions #1 (October 1986) – “That Sinking Feeling” – Larry Hama/Herb Trimpe

This one starts with a team of Joes (Cutter, Shipwreck, Torpedo, Wetsuit, and Deep Six) aboard a Swedish trawler (the Christina) in the Baltic Sea. They’re obviously not there for the sights and we see the Russians have sent the Oktober Guard to check them out, with Colonel Brekhov and Daina flying over them in a HIND chopper. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: Special Missions 1, G.I. Joe 53”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 51, Conan the Barbarian 52

Conan 051 coverConan the Barbarian #51 – “Man Born of Demon” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Dick Giordano

This one starts with Conan arriving (finally!) in the capital city of Phalkar to complete his mission. He’s impersonating a merchant and bullies his way through some guards to get to the usurper, Unos. Conan presents Unos with a gift, a golden bird that he says can answer questions about the past, present, and future. The two wizards who killed the true regent and installed Unos in his place (Thalkalides and Elviriom) don’t believe the bird can prophesy (or maybe they just fear losing influence with Unos), but the acting regent is eager to hear what the bird will say about his future. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 51, Conan the Barbarian 52”

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 51, G.I. Joe 52

GIJoe 051 coverG.I. Joe #51 (September 1986) – “Thunder Machine” – Larry Hama/Rod Whigham/Andy Mushynsky

This one continues where last issue left off, with the Dreadnoks and Storm Shadow meeting Zartan’s sister (Zarana) in their gas station hideout in New Jersey. They also meet Zandar (Zartan and Zarana’s brother) and another Dreadnok named Thrasher, who used to run with them years ago. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 51, G.I. Joe 52”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 49, Conan the Barbarian 50

Conan 049 coverConan the Barbarian #49 – “Wolf-Woman” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Dick Giordano

Last issue, Conan was captured by a bandit lord named Torkal Moh and staked out for some rats to devour. He manages to cut himself free by breaking the ceramic bowl of water Torkal Moh left to taunt him, and he rips the stakes out of the round, scaring the rats away. Conan follows Torkal Moh’s trail and finds water, but he’s beset by wolves. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 49, Conan the Barbarian 50”

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 49, G.I. Joe 50

GIJoe 049 coverG.I. Joe #49 (July 1986) – “Serpentor” – Larry Hama/Rod Whigham/Andy Mushynsky

This one starts with Destro and Dr. Mindbender stealing a mummy from a museum in the Middle East and taking it back to Springfield. The Frankenstein parallels continue, with Mindbender planning to extract the DNA from the stolen remains of history’s greatest warriors, mix it together and put it into an artificial body he’s grown, then fill that new creation with historical knowledge to create the ultimate conqueror. (The idea was Mindbender’s, but Cobra Commander is behind him all the way.) Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 49, G.I. Joe 50”