G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe Special Missions 16, G.I. Joe 81

Special Missions 016 coverG.I. Joe Special Missions #16 (December 1988) – “Tight Circle” – Larry Hama/Herb Trimpe/Andy Mushynsky

This one starts with Cobra moving a bunch of heavy crates on Cobra Island in preparation for airlifting them someplace else. The crates are labelled “Farm Machinery”, but the Joes (who are spying on Cobra with their satellite) don’t believe that for a second. When one of the crates breaks open, they see that it actually contains … a sofa? Hawk is doubly suspicious now and sends all the Joe pilots (Wild Bill, Lift Ticket, Ace, Slipstream, Maverick, and Ghost Rider) to the island for recon. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe Special Missions 16, G.I. Joe 81”

Stargirl Reviews: Season 2, Episode 5

Stargirl Season 2 Opening TitleSummer School Part 5 – Director: Sheelin Choksey/Writer: Steve Harper

This one starts ten years ago in Farmersville, California, where a young Cindy Burman is having nightmares about her father finding her and “changing” her. Cindy’s mom assures her that Dragon King can never find them, but after her mom leaves the room we see him looming over Cindy’s bed. In the present, Cindy shakes off those bad memories and observes Cameron Mahkent working on a street mural. Cameron’s grandmother warns Cindy to leave him alone and when Cindy gets mouthy, we see that grandma seems to have some cold powers of her own. I guess that’s where Icicle got it from. Continue reading “Stargirl Reviews: Season 2, Episode 5”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 98, Conan the Barbarian 99

Conan 098 coverConan the Barbarian #98 – “Sea-Woman” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Ernie Chan

This one starts with a lookout on Bêlit’s ship spotting something amazing in the sea … a beautiful blue-skinned woman standing on a lily pad. Naturally, all the men (including Conan) want to bring her on board, but Bêlit is suspicious of her (either from legitimate caution or jealousy). Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 98, Conan the Barbarian 99”

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe Special Missions 15, G.I. Joe 79, G.I. Joe 80

Special Missions 015 coverG.I. Joe Special Missions #15 (November 1988) – “… and Into the Fire” – Larry Hama/Herb Trimpe/Andy Mushynsky

Last issue, Scarlett, Snake Eyes, Chuckles, Iceberg, and CIA agent Anderson went to a hidden valley in the Himalayas to find a renegade CIA operative named Esterhazy who supposedly died twenty years ago. Esterhazy’s original mission was to help the people of Chomo Lungma (a fictional stand-in for Tibet) fight the Chinese imperialists, but when Nixon and Mao settled some of their differences diplomatically, that meant Esterhazy’s mission was no longer needed. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe Special Missions 15, G.I. Joe 79, G.I. Joe 80”

Stargirl Reviews: Season 2, Episode 4

Stargirl Season 2 Opening TitleSummer School Part 4 – Director: Lea Thompson/Writer: Taylor Streitz

This one starts with Artemis Crock visiting her parents in prison. They try to get her to forget about their problems and concentrate on her upcoming football game, since a big college scout will be there. But Artemis is having a hard time dealing with everything, especially since an asshole guard keeps taunting her. Continue reading “Stargirl Reviews: Season 2, Episode 4”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 96, Conan the Barbarian 97

Conan 096 coverConan the Barbarian #96 – “The Long Night of Fang and Talon Part 1” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Ernie Chan

This one continues from last issue, with Conan following the lion Sholo, hoping to find a secret way into the ancient city of Abombi where Bêlit is being held by Ajaga, a tribal chief who has learned how to command animals. Conan figures Ajaga’s siren call is bringing Sholo to his city and Conan can follow the lion to find Bêlit, but he’s not sure what’ll happen if Ajaga orders Sholo to attack Conan himself. (Sholo’s loyalty is due to Conan killing his former master, Amra, but it’s a tenuous connection at best.) Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 96, Conan the Barbarian 97”

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe Special Missions 14, G.I. Joe 77, G.I. Joe 78

Special Missions 014 coverG.I. Joe Special Missions #14 (October 1988) – “In From the Cold” – Larry Hama/Herb Trimpe/Andy Mushynsky

This one starts with some Joes (Chuckles, Iceberg, Snake Eyes, and Scarlett) in a old Dakota plane flying through the Himalayas in the (fictitious) region of Chomo Lungma. They have a CIA case officer named Anderson with them (who you’ll remember from issue 8) and he’s guiding them to a hidden valley. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe Special Missions 14, G.I. Joe 77, G.I. Joe 78”

Stargirl Reviews: Season 2, Episode 3

Stargirl Season 2 Opening TitleSummer School Part 3 – Director: Lea Thompson/Writers: Turi Meyer, Alfredo Septien

This one stars eleven years ago on Christmas Eve, the night the JSA were wiped out by the Injustice Society. This time we see Pat and Johnny Thunder, both of whom were left behind at JSA headquarters. Continue reading “Stargirl Reviews: Season 2, Episode 3”

Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 94, Conan the Barbarian 95

Conan 094 coverConan the Barbarian #94 – “The Beast-King of Abombi” – Roy Thomas/John Buscema/Ernie Chan

This one starts with Conan and Bêlit saying goodbye to Zula, who has decided to forsake revenge in Kheshatta and head north instead. A handful of Bêlit’s corsairs are going with him, their desire for adventure on land stirred by the recent fights in Asgalun. Zula says his farewells and gives Conan and Bêlit one last reminder of his hypnotic abilities (by seeming to vanish) before leading his new friends inland. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 94, Conan the Barbarian 95”

G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe Special Missions 13, G.I. Joe 75, G.I. Joe 76

Special Missions 013 coverG.I. Joe Special Missions #13 (September 1988) – “Washout” – Larry Hama/Herb Trimpe

This one starts in the (fictional) country of Trucial Abysmia, in northeast Africa. Dusty and Outback re with a couple of provisional Joes (Lightfoot and Mangler) on an evaluation run to see how they perform in the field. The mission is supposed to be easy, but they get ambushed by some government troops. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe Special Missions 13, G.I. Joe 75, G.I. Joe 76”