Reviews, ruminations, and (occasional) ramblings.
G.I. Joe Special Missions #9 (February 1988) – “Plausible Denial” – Larry Hama/Herb Trimpe
This one starts with some rebels in Afghanistan using Stinger missiles to bring down a couple of Soviet helicopters. The rebels capture the passengers and we learn that the Americans have given them a bunch of Stingers in exchange for turning over the Soviets (who just happen to be Spetsnaz soldiers) to the Joes. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe Special Missions 9, G.I. Joe 69”
Conan the Barbarian #80 – “Trial by Combat” – Roy Thomas/Howard Chaykin/Ernie Chan
This one starts where last issue left off, with Conan in the throne room of the hidden city of Attalus. He was sent there from Harakht to bring a jewel called the Eye of Set, one of two that are exchanged any time one of the cities gets a new ruler. But Hun-Ya-Di, the scheming priest in Harakht, wants the Eye for himself to consolidate power, so he ambushed Conan in the wilds. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 80, Conan the Barbarian 81”
G.I. Joe #67 (January 1988) – “Cold Snap” – Larry Hama/Ron Wagner/Randy Emberlin
This one starts with Stalker, Snow Job, and Quick Kick coming home after the rescue mission in Borovia last issue. They land at the new Pit in Utah and are welcomed back by everyone, but Outback is worried they’ll be pissed off because he left them behind and escaped alone, even though that’s exactly what Stalker ordered him to do. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 67, G.I. Joe 68”
Conan the Barbarian #77 – “When Giants Walk the Earth” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Ernie Chan
This one continues from last issue, with Conan tossed into the pit where he finds a meteorite fragment and its guardian, the giant Gol-Thir. The brute attacks and Conan is hard-pressed to hold him off. The barbarian is knocked down and Gol-Thir raises the meteor to split his skull. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 77, Conan the Barbarian 79”
G.I. Joe #66 (December 1987) – “The Tenth Letter” – Larry Hama/Ron Wagner/Randy Emberlin
This one starts with Billy and Storm Shadow practicing esoteric martial arts in San Francisco. They’re interrupted by Jinx, who lets them know where Stalker, Snow Job, and Quick Kick are being held in Borovia, and also shows them a newspaper photo of a circus with Scarlett in the background. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 66, G.I. Joe Special Missions 8”
Conan the Barbarian #75 – “The Hawk-Riders of Harakht” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Ernie Chan
This one continues from last issue, with Conan, Bêlit, and former slave-girl Neftha admiring their handiwork as they watch the Stygian ships burn in the harbour of Khemi. They make their way through the dark streets to a trader Neftha has heard tell of, forcing their way into his house. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 75, Conan the Barbarian 76”
G.I. Joe Special Missions #7 (October 1987) – “The Old Switcheroo” – Larry Hama/Herb Trimpe
This one starts with some terrorists (or freedom fighters if you prefer) from Sierra Gordo busting into the Cobra Embassy Building in New York. Using a combination of guile and firepower, the counter-revolutionaries manage to barricade themselves in the boiler room and disable the security cameras there. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe Special Missions 7, G.I. Joe 65”
Conan the Barbarian #73 – “He Who Waits—in the Well of Skelos” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Ernie Chan
This one continues right from last issue, with Conan and Bêlit returning to the Tigress from Asgalun. Bêlit is still reeling from the knowledge that her father (once King of Asgalun) is still alive and in captivity somewhere in Stygia. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 73, Conan the Barbarian 74”
G.I. Joe #63 (September 1987) – “Going Under” – Larry Hama/Ron Wagner/Andy Mushynsky
This one starts with Snake Eyes, Scarlett, Flint, and Lady Jaye on leave in Grenada. Snake Eyes is stewing over Stalker, Snow Job, and Quick Kick being captured in Borovia, but since their mission wasn’t officially sanctioned, nobody is allowed to make a rescue attempt, not even a covert one. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 63, G.I. Joe 64”
Conan the Barbarian #71 – “The Secret of Ashtoreth” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Ernie Chan
This one continues from last issue, with Conan, Bêlit, and some of her pirates in a dungeon in the city of Kelka, where they were captured as sacrifices by the high priest (Akkheba, who drugged their wine) after doing him the favour of fighting off some Barachan pirates menacing the city. Akkheba drops by to taunt them, but one of the pirates finds a hidden tunnel out of their cell. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 71, Conan the Barbarian 72”