Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 43, Conan the Barbarian 44

Conan 043 coverConan the Barbarian #43 – “Tower of Blood” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Ernie Chan

This one starts with Conan and Red Sonja (remember her from issues 23 and 24?) being pursued by bounty hunters from the City of Thieves. Apparently, Sonja was chosen as a Hyrkanian king’s concubine but stabbed him instead of marrying him, plus one of Conan’s wenches accused them both of murder, so now there’s a price on both their heads. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 43, Conan the Barbarian 44”

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 43, G.I. Joe 44

GIJoe 043 coverG.I. Joe #43 (January 1986) – “Crossroads” – Larry Hama/Rod Whigham/Andy Mushynsky

Last issue, Stalker and Snake Eyes were at the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C. to look up their dead war buddies. But one name was missing, that of Wade Collins. The two Joes got a surprise when Fred II (a Crimson Guardsman working for Cobra) stepped out of the shadows with a gun to tell them that he was Wade Collins, given a new face and name by Cobra. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 43, G.I. Joe 44”

Frankie Drake Mysteries Reviews: Season 4, Episode 5

Frank Drake title season 3Ghost in the Machine – Director: R.T. Thorne/Writer: Keri Ferencz

This one starts with Frankie and Alessandro about to get it on in her office when Nora shows up. She’s broken up with her latest flame and needs a place to stay for a few days. Frankie reluctantly agrees and heads out with Alessandro, leaving Nora to make herself at home. Late that night, Nora is awakened by someone calling for help and sees a freaky-looking girl, who vanishes and reappears when Nora’s looking in the mirror. Naturally, Nora assumes it’s a ghost. Continue reading “Frankie Drake Mysteries Reviews: Season 4, Episode 5”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 41, Conan the Barbarian 42

Conan 041 coverConan the Barbarian #41 – “The Garden of Life and Death” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Ernie Chan

This one starts with Conan arriving at a small village about a week away from Zamora. He runs into a mob chasing a girl and naturally, he defends her. The mob claim the girl (who they refer to as Zhadorr, although it seems more of an appellation than a name) is a demon in human form, but Conan still won’t let them near her. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 41, Conan the Barbarian 42”

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 41, G.I. Joe 42

GIJoe 041 coverG.I. Joe #41 (November 1985) – “Strategic Diplomacy” – Larry Hama/Rod Whigham/Keith Williams

Last issue, Cobra tricked the Joes into blowing up an underwater bunker in the Gulf of Mexico, which aggravated a fault line on the ocean floor. We soon learn why … the fault line pushes up a new landmass in the Gulf, which Cobra plans to claim as its own sovereign territory. (They already have an army of lawyers ready to plead for formal recognition in various capitals, as well as the United Nations.) Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe 41, G.I. Joe 42”

Frankie Drake Mysteries Reviews: Season 4, Episode 4

Frank Drake title season 3A Most Foiled Assault – Director: Gary Harvey/Writer: Jennifer Kassabian

This one starts at a gym where several women are practicing fencing. Women haven’t been allowed to compete in the Olympics so far, but these women are hoping to be the first. Unfortunately, some men aren’t happy about that and have even attacked some of the competitors. Continue reading “Frankie Drake Mysteries Reviews: Season 4, Episode 4”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 39, Conan the Barbarian 40

Conan 039 coverConan the Barbarian #39 – “The Dragon from the Inland Sea” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema

This one starts with Conan riding through some wastelands on his way to Zamora. He’s waylaid by some bandits and ends up killing them all, but his horse is lamed and he’s forced to kill it. While contemplating his next move, Conan is bitten by a snake. He sucks as much poison out as he can, but succumbs to what remains inside his veins, passing out in the desert. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 39, Conan the Barbarian 40”

G.I. Joe reviews: G.I. Joe 39, G.I. Joe 40

GIJoe 039 coverG.I. Joe #39 (September 1985) – “Walk Through the Jungle” – Larry Hama/Rod Whigham/Andy Mushynsky

Last issue, a team of Joes (Stalker, Ripcord, Gung Ho, and Roadblock) went to Sierra Gordo and made contact with another Joe (Recondo) and his friends, the local Tucaro Indians. They’re in the war-torn banana republic to rescue Dr. Adele Burkhart (who longtime fans will remember from issue 1) from a rebel stronghold. Continue reading “G.I. Joe reviews: G.I. Joe 39, G.I. Joe 40”

Frankie Drake Mysteries Reviews: Season 4, Episode 3

Frank Drake title season 3The Girls Can’t Help It – Director: Gary Harvey/Writer: Mary Pedersen

This one starts with Mary attending a swinging party full of flappers and dandies making merry at a mansion. She was invited by an old school friend (Jackie), but feels somewhat out of place surrounded by the upper classes. Continue reading “Frankie Drake Mysteries Reviews: Season 4, Episode 3”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 37, Conan the Barbarian 38

Conan 037 coverConan the Barbarian #37 – “The Curse of the Golden Skull” – Roy Thomas/Neal Adams

This one starts ages ago, with a dark wizard of Lemuria (Rotath) being killed by King Kull. The dying Rotath put a deadly curse on his own bones, a curse that would affect whoever found his remains. Millennia later, a hillsman was exploring a lost valley and found a ruined city and Rotath’s skeleton, now made of solid gold. The hillsman couldn’t resist the lure of gold, but as soon as he touched the skeleton, he was taken over by Rotath’s spirit. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 37, Conan the Barbarian 38”