Category: Comics Reviews

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 27, Conan the Barbarian 28

Conan 027 coverConan the Barbarian #27 – “The Blood of Bel-Hissar” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Ernie Chan

After last week’s digression into Savage Tales territory with “Red Nails”, we’re back to Conan’s regular storyline. This story begins with him riding through some desert land south of the Zaporoska River when he hears a woman scream. He comes upon a huge brute (Turgohl) menacing a Khitan woman (Suwaan) and quickly jumps in to help her. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 27, Conan the Barbarian 28”

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 27, G.I. Joe 28

GIJoe 027 coverG.I. Joe #27 (September 1984) – “Snake Eyes: The Origin Part II” – Larry Hama/Frank Springer/Andy Mushynsky

Last issue, some Joes (Torpedo, Trip Wire, and Mutt) went into the Everglades to flush out some Cobras (Cobra Commander, Destro, Baroness, and Zartan) who were hiding there. They captured Firefly and Wild Weasel, who quickly escaped, forcing the Joes to track them through the swamp. Meanwhile, Mutt’s dog (Junkyard) made friendly contact with the Cobras and led them into the swamp. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 27, G.I. Joe 28”

Conan Reviews: Red Nails

Conan Savage Tales 002 cover (Red Nails)“Red Nails” – Roy Thomas/Barry Windsor-Smith

This story originally appeared in Savage Tales issues 2 and 3 (which were published a few months apart), but I’m including it here because it’s part of the Chronicles of Conan reprints that I’ve been using … plus, it’s a really good story, based on one of Robert E. Howard’s best (and last) Conan tales. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Red Nails”

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 25, G.I. Joe 26

GIJoe 025 coverG.I. Joe #25 (July 1984) – “Zartan” – Larry Hama/Frank Springer/Mike Gustovich

This one starts with a squad of Joes taking Storm Shadow (who was captured last issue while he helped Cobra Commander escape Joe custody) to Alcatraz Prison. Storm Shadow doesn’t seem bothered about being taken to an inescapable prison and assumes he’ll be breaking out right away. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 25, G.I. Joe 26”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 25, Conan the Barbarian 26

Conan 025 coverConan the Barbarian #25 – “The Mirrors of Kharam-Akkad” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Sal Buscema, John Severin

This one starts in the besieged city of Makkalet, with the wizard Kharam-Akkad looking into his magic mirror again and freaking out over what he sees. We don’t get to share his vision but it must involve Conan, since Kharam-Akkad sends the guard captain (Chumballa Bey) to find the Cimmerian, knowing through his magical art that Conan is close by. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 25, Conan the Barbarian 26”

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 23, G.I. Joe 24

GIJoe 023 coverG.I. Joe #23 (May 1984) – “Cobra Commander Captured at Last” – Larry Hama/Mike Vosburg/Jon D’Agostino, John Tartagione

This one starts with Snow Job observing a chalet in the Swiss Alps where Baroness is recovering from her plastic surgery (and reading Cosmo … maybe she likes the quizzes). Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 23, G.I. Joe 24”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 23, Conan the Barbarian 24

Conan 023 coverConan the Barbarian #23 – “The Shadow of the Vulture” – Roy Thomas/Barry Windsor Smith/Sal Buscema, Dan Adkins, Chic Stone

This one starts in Pah-Dishah, a city three weeks’ ride from Makkalet, where Conan has come to deliver a plea for help to the king (Ghannif), whose daughter Melissandra is Queen of Makkalet, currently under siege by the armies of Prince Yezdigerd. Conan has a little trouble getting in to see the king, who doesn’t seem too worried to hear his daughter is in trouble. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 23, Conan the Barbarian 24”

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 21, G.I. Joe 22

GIJoe 021 coverG.I. Joe #21 (March 1984) – “Silent Interlude” – Larry Hama/Steve Leialoha

As the title implies, this issue is completely silent, with no dialogue or captions to aid in the storytelling. Larry Hama did the breakdowns as well as the overall story, so he obviously had a vision of what he wanted this to be. It starts with a ninja in white (who fans will immediately recognize as Storm Shadow) bringing a prisoner to a Cobra mountain fortress. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 21, G.I. Joe 22”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 21, Conan the Barbarian 22

Conan 021 coverConan the Barbarian #21 – “The Monster of the Monoliths” – Roy Thomas/Barry Windsor Smith/Dan Adkins, Craig Russell, Val Mayerik, Sal Buscema

Last issue, Conan was part of the Turanian force that attacked Makkalet, a Hyrkanian city who had kidnapped the living god Tarim, resident for many years in the Turanian capital of Agrhrapur. The Turanian prince Yezdigerd led the attacking fleet, but his motives seem to be less about religion and more about eliminating a strong trade rival on the Vilayet Sea. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 21, Conan the Barbarian 22”

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 19, G.I. Joe 20

GIJoe 019 coverG.I. Joe #19 (January 1984) – “Joe Triumphs” – Larry Hama/Mike Vosburg/Jon D’Agostino

This one starts with the Joes building a fake operational headquarters right above the real Pit under the motor pool at Fort Wadsworth. After the Joes brought Scar-Face back last issue, he told them he was carrying the plague toxin and was meant to infect everyone at Joe headquarters. Scar-Face even managed to steal the antidote and willingly hands it over to the Joes, hoping they’ll use it to cure him. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 19, G.I. Joe 20”