Category: Comics Reviews

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 147, Conan the Barbarian 148

Conan 147 coverConan the Barbarian #147 – “Tower of Mitra” – Bruce Jones/John Buscema/Ernie Chan

This one starts with Conan reminiscing about Pelija Lon, the woman he met in issue 134 and last saw in issue 139. Coincidentally, a vision of Pelija Lon appears in front of him, begging him to help her. Unfortunately, the vision doesn’t give a location, so Conan heads for D’eim (city of the High Priestess of Mitra), where he knows Pelija was headed. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 147, Conan the Barbarian 148”

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 116, G.I. Joe 117

GIJoe 116 coverG.I. Joe #116 (September 1991) – “Destro Must Die” – Larry Hama/Rod Whigham/Randy Emberlin

This one starts with Cobra Commander freaking out about Billy and Zartan escaping from the derelict freighter on Cobra Island where he buried them alive. (Everyone buried with them did die, including Dr. Mindbender, Raptor, Captain Minh, and Freed VII.) Tomax distracts Cobra Commander by reminding him of all the money they made in Benzheen, and reminds him about their upcoming attack on Destro. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 116, G.I. Joe 117”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 145, Conan the Barbarian 146

Conan 145 coverConan the Barbarian #145 – “Son of Cimmeria” – Alan Zelenetz/Richard Howell/Bob Camp

This one starts with a group of older Cimmerians reminiscing about the Battle of Venarium, where Conan first tasted battle. These memories have been prompted by the fact that Conan has returned to Cimmeria for a visit and is now leading a war band into the mountains to eliminate a troublesome Pict raiding party. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 145, Conan the Barbarian 146”

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 114, G.I. Joe 115

GIJoe 114 coverG.I. Joe #114 (July 1991) – “Metal-Head” – Larry Hama/John Statema/Randy Emberlin

This one starts with the Benzheen conflict still underway. Some Joe armour (led by Steeler and Hot Seat) are taking out some Cobra HISS tanks with support from a few infantry guys (Dusty, Salvo, and Rock n’Roll). There’s a bit of rivalry between armour and infantry units, like in any army. Meanwhile, Cobra Commander is meeting the Emir of Benzheen on neutral ground (without the Joes’ knowledge) to hammer out a deal. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 114, G.I. Joe 115”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 143, Conan the Barbarian 144

Conan 143 coverConan the Barbarian #143 – “Life Among the Dead” – Bruce Jones/John Buscema/Ricardo Villamonte

This one starts in a small Cimmerian village called Solvanthia, where the ground begins to tremble violently. The villagers have a pretty good idea what’s causing it and rush up the mountain to a gold statue of their hero, Graven. But there’s something missing from the statue … Graven’s sword, which is some kind of talisman that keeps a dragon asleep under the village. Now that the sword has been stolen, the dragon is waking up, so the villagers figure they’d better get the sword back quickly. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 143, Conan the Barbarian 144”

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 112, G.I. Joe 113

GIJoe 112 coverG.I. Joe #112 (May 1991) – “Who’s the Hero?” – Larry Hama/John Statema/Randy Emberlin

This one starts where last issue left off, in the Emirate of Benzheen (which Cobra has just taken over) with Snake Eyes ready to kill the Saw Viper who’s bragging about wasting some Joes. Scarlett reminds him that their recon mission is vital to their teammates’ impending attack. Snake Eyes agrees and they move on, unaware that some Night Creeper ninjas are in the vicinity. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 112, G.I. Joe 113”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 141, Conan the Barbarian 142

Conan 141 coverConan the Barbarian #141 – “The Web Tightens” – Bruce Jones/John Buscema/Brett Breeding

Last issue, Conan was shanghaied aboard a pirate vessel by Lupos Davalte, a man he’d pissed off in a tavern brawl. Conan was forced to help row the ship until they stopped for provisions and ended up being attacked by giant spiders in the forest. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 141, Conan the Barbarian 142”

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 110, G.I. Joe 111

GIJoe 110 coverG.I. Joe #110 (March 1991) – “Escalator to Armageddon” – Larry Hama/Ron Garney/Fred Fredericks

Last issue, a team of Joes was sent to Trucial Abysmia to take out some Cobra Terror Dromes, but Cobra had a secret operation going there so when the Joes were captured, Tomax and Xamot were ordered to get rid of them. A number of Joes (Doc, Quick Kick, Heavy Metal, Crankcase, Crazy Legs, Thunder, and Breaker) were killed, leaving only Duke, Lt. Falcon, and Cross Country against a Saw Viper and his team of executioners. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 110, G.I. Joe 111”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 139, Conan the Barbarian 140

Conan 139 coverConan the Barbarian #139 – “In the Lair of the Damned” – Bruce Jones/Val Mayerik

Last issue, Conan and Pelija Lon were sent to a demi-plane to recover an amulet for the wizard Revelle. The amulet is around the neck of Pelija’s father (Eshe Lon) and Revelle claimed that removing it would turn him back to his old (non-evil) self, but when they found Eshe and Conan took the amulet from him, he turned into some kind of serpent demon. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 139, Conan the Barbarian 140”

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 108, G.I. Joe 109

GIJoe 108 coverG.I. Joe #108 (January 1991) – “Apparent Conclusions” – Larry Hama/M.D. Bright/Randy Emberlin

This one starts in Trucial Abysmia, the (fictional) Middle Eastern desert country the Joes have been to a few times before. A contingent of Joes (including Duke, Lt. Falcon, Doc, Quick Kick, Heavy Metal, Cross Country, Crankcase, Crazy Legs, Thunder, and Breaker) are blowing up a Cobra Terror Drome before heading back across the border, but they notice a lone Cobra vehicle making a run for it. They have to stop the Cobras before they can get outside jamming range and call for back-up, so they chase the vehicle into the desert but soon find themselves surrounded by Cobras in an ambush. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 108, G.I. Joe 109”