Reviews, ruminations, and (occasional) ramblings.
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”
Shiv Part 2 – Director: Geary McLeod/Writer: Paula Sevenbergen
This one starts with Pat driving his classic Buick at top speed (to the strains of the Cannonball Run theme song!) and crashing it into a light post. Obviously, he’s going to use the crash as an excuse for the injuries Courtney sustained fighting Shiv/Cindy last episode and has to crash the car for real to make it believable. Continue reading “Stargirl Reviews: Season 1, Episode 8”
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”
Shiv Part 1 – Director: Lea Thompson/Writer: Evan Ball
This one starts with a montage of the new JSA members doing various things: Yolanda’s working out, Rick is brooding (of course), Beth is singing karaoke with the McNider AI. Continue reading “Stargirl Reviews: Season 1, Episode 7”
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”
G.I. Joe Special Missions #6 (August 1987) – “Evasion” – Larry Hama/Herb Trimpe
This one continues from G.I. Joe 61, showing us how Outback escaped into the sewers in Borovia’s capital city, while his teammates (Stalker, Snow Job, and Quick Kick) were caught by the Borovian Army. The Joes were in Borovia to rescue a political prisoner, but he was already exchanged for a Borovian spy and since their mission is top secret (and utterly deniable), they weren’t told about the exchange. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe Special Missions 6, G.I. Joe 62”
The Justice Society – Director: Christopher Manley/Writer: Taylor Streitz
This one starts with football practice at Blue Valley High. The quarterback (and best player) is Artemis Crock, but she has a bit of a temper. When one of the defensive players hits her late she decks him and gets benched by the new coach. Later, Artemis’s parents (who were proud of her for decking her teammate) confront the coach and waste him when he refuses to back down from their threats. Did I mention that Artemis’s parents are Crusher Crock (who runs the gym downtown) and Paula Brooks (who’s the school gym teacher)? Of course, they’re also Sportsmaster and Tigress of the Injustice Society. Continue reading “Stargirl Reviews: Season 1, Episode 6”
Conan the Barbarian #69 – “The Demon Out of the Deep” – Roy Thomas/Val Mayerik/The Tribe
If you’re wondering what happened to issues 66-68, I skipped them because I’m using the Chronicles of Conan editions for these reviews and those issues are omitted. They feature Red Sonja and she’s owned by a different company, so Dark Horse was forced to leave those stories out. If I get my hands on some copies I might go back and review them someday, but for now I’m sticking with the Chronicles and moving on to issue 69. Continue reading “Conan Reviews: Conan the Barbarian 69, Conan the Barbarian 70”
G.I. Joe Special Missions #5 (June 1987) – “Showdown” – Larry Hama/Herb Trimpe
This one starts on Cobra Island, with a ground crew prepping the Night Raven stealth fighter for a recon flight. The crew are all impressed by the plane’s tech (including low-tech stuff like a breakout tool to be used if the canopy jams in a crash), but much less so with its pilot, the Strato-Viper. Continue reading “G.I. Joe Reviews: G.I. Joe Special Missions 5, G.I. Joe 61”