October 1996
After Onslaught and the apparent deaths of the worlds greatest heroes Spidey (the Ben Reilly Spidey) says that they will live on in his heart. Touching... (sob)(sob)
Artwork by one of my faves Ron Garney.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Amazing Spider-Man #416
(MARVEL)
October 1996
After Onslaught and the apparent deaths of the worlds greatest heroes Spidey (the Ben Reilly Spidey) says that they will live on in his heart. Touching... (sob)(sob)
Artwork by one of my faves Ron Garney.
October 1996
After Onslaught and the apparent deaths of the worlds greatest heroes Spidey (the Ben Reilly Spidey) says that they will live on in his heart. Touching... (sob)(sob)
Artwork by one of my faves Ron Garney.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Hellstorm: Prince of Lies #2
(MARVEL)
May 1993
The newly transformed Daimon Hellstorm meets with Dr.Strange in a seedy demonic bar.
Pencils by Michael Blair
May 1993
The newly transformed Daimon Hellstorm meets with Dr.Strange in a seedy demonic bar.
Pencils by Michael Blair
Monday, July 23, 2007
Firestorm #33
(DC)
April 2007
Firestorm and Mister Miracle take on a slightly ticked off Orion.
Artwork by Dan Jurgens
April 2007
Firestorm and Mister Miracle take on a slightly ticked off Orion.
Artwork by Dan Jurgens
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Monday, July 16, 2007
Superman #663
(DC)
July 2007
Superman sits on the moon contemplating his future. Really great stuff.
Artwork by Carlos Pacheco
July 2007
Superman sits on the moon contemplating his future. Really great stuff.
Artwork by Carlos Pacheco
Thursday, July 12, 2007
The Simpsons
The longest running animated TV series of all time and with the movie less than two weeks away I thought I'd grab a bit of comic art from the show. This pic was part of the booklet attached with the series three DVD. Series Three - Episode 17 – the classic softball episode.
Artwork by Matt Groening
Really is great how this clever artwork... overweight yellow figures... has lasted the test of time.
Artwork by Matt Groening
Really is great how this clever artwork... overweight yellow figures... has lasted the test of time.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Amazing Spider-Man #409
(MARVEL)
March 1996
Spider-Man/Ben Reilly, the Rhino, and Kaine.
Artist Mark Bagley
March 1996
Spider-Man/Ben Reilly, the Rhino, and Kaine.
Artist Mark Bagley
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Silver Surfer #2
(MARVEL)
August 1987
I have decided to change the format of my blog and post great artwork from a comic I have read recently - as that is where my main passion for comic books lie.
In Silver Surfer #2, from twenty years ago, I enjoyed the below panel where SS must leave Shalla Bal.
Pencils by Marshall Rogers
August 1987
I have decided to change the format of my blog and post great artwork from a comic I have read recently - as that is where my main passion for comic books lie.
In Silver Surfer #2, from twenty years ago, I enjoyed the below panel where SS must leave Shalla Bal.
Pencils by Marshall Rogers
Friday, June 22, 2007
The Order #3
(MARVEL)
June 2002
Good Guys: The Avengers (Captain America, Warbird, Iron Man, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, Yellowjacket, Wonderman, Vision, Wasp)
Bad Guys: The Order (Dr.Strange, Hulk, Silver Surfer, Namor)
Cameos: Papa Hagg, The Defenders (Nighthawk, Hellcat, Valkyrie), Namorita, She Hulk, Triathalon, Clea.
Synopsis
Writers: Jo Duffy & Kurt Busiek
Pencils: Matt Haley with Luke Ross
“Ultimatum: Avengers!”
A curse has been placed upon Dr. Strange, Hulk, Silver Surfer and Namor.
Their human sides, the side that controls their conscience and controls the way they wield their power, has been trapped deep within the recesses of their own minds. This has enabled their darker emotions to control them. They have formed the Order so that they can control the planet and its inhabitants.
At the end of the previous issue the President of the USA, George W Bush, has dispatched the Avengers to deal with these rogue heroes.
As a battle rages, the Voodoo Priest Papa Hagg dispatches members of the Defenders throughout the globe to bring female reinforcements. They assemble, Clea, Namorita, and She-Hulk al of whom are closely associated with a member of the Order.
The Avengers put up a brave fight but are eventually defeated by the Order and trapped in suspended animation for a short period by a Dr. Strange spell.
Nighthawk concludes the issue with “… you said we had to have a female analogue to each member of the Order. It’s not like we can mail-order the Surfer a bride from planet Zenn-La. So where …?”
Rating: 8/10
Plenty of action here. A great tale pitting the powerful Order versus the Avengers. Great seeing four of earths most powerful good guys turn bad.
Favorite Panel:
Cap confronting Namor..
June 2002
Good Guys: The Avengers (Captain America, Warbird, Iron Man, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, Yellowjacket, Wonderman, Vision, Wasp)
Bad Guys: The Order (Dr.Strange, Hulk, Silver Surfer, Namor)
Cameos: Papa Hagg, The Defenders (Nighthawk, Hellcat, Valkyrie), Namorita, She Hulk, Triathalon, Clea.
Synopsis
Writers: Jo Duffy & Kurt Busiek
Pencils: Matt Haley with Luke Ross
“Ultimatum: Avengers!”
A curse has been placed upon Dr. Strange, Hulk, Silver Surfer and Namor.
Their human sides, the side that controls their conscience and controls the way they wield their power, has been trapped deep within the recesses of their own minds. This has enabled their darker emotions to control them. They have formed the Order so that they can control the planet and its inhabitants.
At the end of the previous issue the President of the USA, George W Bush, has dispatched the Avengers to deal with these rogue heroes.
As a battle rages, the Voodoo Priest Papa Hagg dispatches members of the Defenders throughout the globe to bring female reinforcements. They assemble, Clea, Namorita, and She-Hulk al of whom are closely associated with a member of the Order.
The Avengers put up a brave fight but are eventually defeated by the Order and trapped in suspended animation for a short period by a Dr. Strange spell.
Nighthawk concludes the issue with “… you said we had to have a female analogue to each member of the Order. It’s not like we can mail-order the Surfer a bride from planet Zenn-La. So where …?”
Rating: 8/10
Plenty of action here. A great tale pitting the powerful Order versus the Avengers. Great seeing four of earths most powerful good guys turn bad.
Favorite Panel:
Cap confronting Namor..
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Hellcat #1
(MARVEL)
September 2000
Good Guy: Hellcat / Patsy Walker
Bad Guy: Nicholas Scratch
Cameos: Hedy Wolfe, Captain America, Beast, Vision, Iron Man, Moondragon, Dr Strange, Valkyrie, Hulk, Nighthawk, Gargoyle, Son of Satan, Mockingbird, The Thunderbolts, Dormammu, Mephisto
Synopsis
Author & Artist: Steve Englehart & Norman Breyfogle
“One Life to Live”
Patsy Walker returns from a book tour and is greeted by Mayor Nicholas Scratch and her friend Hedy Wolfe. She recounts her story of marrying an abusive husband, joining the Avengers and then the Defenders, marrying a second time to Daimon Hellstrom which eventually led to her committing suicide.
She recalls her rescue from Hell by the Thunderbolts and how she is now among the land of the living. She realizes she will never be free from Hell’s clutches she will be continually hunted.
Hedy and Patsy are attacked by magicks sent by Nicholas Scratch and she transforms into ..”a cat from hell!” She confronts Nicholasi whom she believes is working for Mephisto when in fact he has been working for Dormammu.
She is captured by Dormammu.
Rating: 6/10
A story recounting Patsy’s return from Hell and how she may never recover.
A must for Hellcat fans and a good set up for the next issues.
Favorite Panel:
Rescued by the Thunderbolts.
September 2000
Good Guy: Hellcat / Patsy Walker
Bad Guy: Nicholas Scratch
Cameos: Hedy Wolfe, Captain America, Beast, Vision, Iron Man, Moondragon, Dr Strange, Valkyrie, Hulk, Nighthawk, Gargoyle, Son of Satan, Mockingbird, The Thunderbolts, Dormammu, Mephisto
Synopsis
Author & Artist: Steve Englehart & Norman Breyfogle
“One Life to Live”
Patsy Walker returns from a book tour and is greeted by Mayor Nicholas Scratch and her friend Hedy Wolfe. She recounts her story of marrying an abusive husband, joining the Avengers and then the Defenders, marrying a second time to Daimon Hellstrom which eventually led to her committing suicide.
She recalls her rescue from Hell by the Thunderbolts and how she is now among the land of the living. She realizes she will never be free from Hell’s clutches she will be continually hunted.
Hedy and Patsy are attacked by magicks sent by Nicholas Scratch and she transforms into ..”a cat from hell!” She confronts Nicholasi whom she believes is working for Mephisto when in fact he has been working for Dormammu.
She is captured by Dormammu.
Rating: 6/10
A story recounting Patsy’s return from Hell and how she may never recover.
A must for Hellcat fans and a good set up for the next issues.
Favorite Panel:
Rescued by the Thunderbolts.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Amazing Spider-Man #229
(MARVEL)
June 1982
Good Guy: Spider-Man / Peter Parker
Bad Guy: The Juggernaut
Cameos: Madame Web, Black Tom Cassidy, Glory Grant, Betty Brant-Leeds, Joe Robertson, Iron-Man, Thor, Captain America, Fantastic Four, Wong,
Synopsis
Writer: Roger Stern
Artists: John Romita & Jim Mooney
“Nothing Can Stop The Juggernaut”
Madame Web, a clairvoyant, has a dream that she is being pursued by an unstoppable dark one. She calls Peter to ask him for help.
Black Tom Cassidy, while on his luxurious ship, employs the Juggernaut to kidnap Madame Web.
While Peter is at the Daily Bugle he is contacted by Madame Web who says that the dark one is coming from the sea near Battery Point. The Juggernaut unable to wait for the ship to dock has begun to walk the ocean floor to get to Madame Web.
Spider-Man attempts a sneak attack and ends up bouncing off the Juggernaut and into a nearby building. Try as he might Spidey cannot move the Juggernaut off his path of destruction toward Madame Web.
He tries to contact, the Avengers, and the Fantastic Four and then he visits Dr. Strange, but all are unavailable (isn’t it always the way?). Meanwhile juggernaut smashes through police barricades and to Madame Web’s apartment where Spidey webs up the door and hooks the webbing to an aternate generator. A million volts fail to stop the Juggernaut.
The Juggernaut yanks Madame Web out of her life support system and she stops breathing. The Juggernaut says well she’s no good to me this way and walks out.
An ambulance takes Madame Web away and Spidey vows.. “ to find away to stop that unstoppable human tank… or die trying!”
Rating: 8/10
Great issue, action, humor and plenty of destruction.
Favorite Panel:
June 1982
Good Guy: Spider-Man / Peter Parker
Bad Guy: The Juggernaut
Cameos: Madame Web, Black Tom Cassidy, Glory Grant, Betty Brant-Leeds, Joe Robertson, Iron-Man, Thor, Captain America, Fantastic Four, Wong,
Synopsis
Writer: Roger Stern
Artists: John Romita & Jim Mooney
“Nothing Can Stop The Juggernaut”
Madame Web, a clairvoyant, has a dream that she is being pursued by an unstoppable dark one. She calls Peter to ask him for help.
Black Tom Cassidy, while on his luxurious ship, employs the Juggernaut to kidnap Madame Web.
While Peter is at the Daily Bugle he is contacted by Madame Web who says that the dark one is coming from the sea near Battery Point. The Juggernaut unable to wait for the ship to dock has begun to walk the ocean floor to get to Madame Web.
Spider-Man attempts a sneak attack and ends up bouncing off the Juggernaut and into a nearby building. Try as he might Spidey cannot move the Juggernaut off his path of destruction toward Madame Web.
He tries to contact, the Avengers, and the Fantastic Four and then he visits Dr. Strange, but all are unavailable (isn’t it always the way?). Meanwhile juggernaut smashes through police barricades and to Madame Web’s apartment where Spidey webs up the door and hooks the webbing to an aternate generator. A million volts fail to stop the Juggernaut.
The Juggernaut yanks Madame Web out of her life support system and she stops breathing. The Juggernaut says well she’s no good to me this way and walks out.
An ambulance takes Madame Web away and Spidey vows.. “ to find away to stop that unstoppable human tank… or die trying!”
Rating: 8/10
Great issue, action, humor and plenty of destruction.
Favorite Panel:
Friday, June 15, 2007
Amazing Spider-Man #400
(MARVEL)
April 1994
Part 1
Good Guy: Spider-Man
Bad Guy:
Cameos: Scarlet-Spider/Ben Reilly, Aunt May, Mary Jane Watson, Anna Watson, Jackal, Judas Traveller, Dr. Nacht, Medea
Synopsis
“The Gift”
Writer: J.M.DeMatteis
Penciler: Mark Bagley
Spider-Man rushes to the hospital to visit Aunt May. She awakes from her coma and wants to go home. The Scarlet-Spider is watching through the window. When they go home Aunt May sees that Mary Jane is pregnant.
Peter meets the Scarlet Spider/Ben Reilly in the backyard who decides to leave town.
Peter takes Aunt May to the lookout at the Empire State Building and tells him she has known that he is Spider-Man for years. She feels ill and Peter takes her home. Aunt May dies as Peter holds her hand. The Scarlet Spider is on the roof as it happens.
After the wake Peter is arrested by Salt Lake Police for murder. Ben Reilly confronts MJ as she prepares to go down to the station to be with Peter.
Part 2
Good Guy: Spider-Man/Ben Reilly
Synopsis
“The Parker Legacy: Part One”
Writer: J.M.DeMatteis
Penciler: John Romita Jr
Spider-Man is kneeling in an alley. It is Peter Parker’s clone. He is coming to terms with the fact that his memories are not his own.
He goes back to Peter’s apartment to get some old clothes and money and leaves.
Part 3
Good Guy: Spider-Man
Bad Guy: The Burgler
Cameos: Aunt May, Ben Parker
Synopsis
Writers: J.M.DeMatteis & Stan Lee
Penciler: Tom Grummett
“The Morning After”
We go through the morning after Uncle Ben was shot.
Rating: 8/10
Great reading. The cameo by the Jackal in his jail cell is priceless. The interaction between Peter and Ben Reilly is good reading and it was very sad to see Aunt May passing.
Part 2 has the best John Romita Jr artwork I’ve seen, I feel he took great care in this piece of work.
Throwing JMD and Stan Lee’s take on the morning after is a nice way to finish this three parter.
Favorite Panel:
Surprisingly a JRJr shot of Spidey, I am not normally a fan but his work in this was great.
April 1994
Part 1
Good Guy: Spider-Man
Bad Guy:
Cameos: Scarlet-Spider/Ben Reilly, Aunt May, Mary Jane Watson, Anna Watson, Jackal, Judas Traveller, Dr. Nacht, Medea
Synopsis
“The Gift”
Writer: J.M.DeMatteis
Penciler: Mark Bagley
Spider-Man rushes to the hospital to visit Aunt May. She awakes from her coma and wants to go home. The Scarlet-Spider is watching through the window. When they go home Aunt May sees that Mary Jane is pregnant.
Peter meets the Scarlet Spider/Ben Reilly in the backyard who decides to leave town.
Peter takes Aunt May to the lookout at the Empire State Building and tells him she has known that he is Spider-Man for years. She feels ill and Peter takes her home. Aunt May dies as Peter holds her hand. The Scarlet Spider is on the roof as it happens.
After the wake Peter is arrested by Salt Lake Police for murder. Ben Reilly confronts MJ as she prepares to go down to the station to be with Peter.
Part 2
Good Guy: Spider-Man/Ben Reilly
Synopsis
“The Parker Legacy: Part One”
Writer: J.M.DeMatteis
Penciler: John Romita Jr
Spider-Man is kneeling in an alley. It is Peter Parker’s clone. He is coming to terms with the fact that his memories are not his own.
He goes back to Peter’s apartment to get some old clothes and money and leaves.
Part 3
Good Guy: Spider-Man
Bad Guy: The Burgler
Cameos: Aunt May, Ben Parker
Synopsis
Writers: J.M.DeMatteis & Stan Lee
Penciler: Tom Grummett
“The Morning After”
We go through the morning after Uncle Ben was shot.
Rating: 8/10
Great reading. The cameo by the Jackal in his jail cell is priceless. The interaction between Peter and Ben Reilly is good reading and it was very sad to see Aunt May passing.
Part 2 has the best John Romita Jr artwork I’ve seen, I feel he took great care in this piece of work.
Throwing JMD and Stan Lee’s take on the morning after is a nice way to finish this three parter.
Favorite Panel:
Surprisingly a JRJr shot of Spidey, I am not normally a fan but his work in this was great.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Defenders #121
(MARVEL)
July 1983
Good Guys: The Defenders ( Gargoyle, Hellcat, Valkyrie, Beast, Overmind, Son of Satan)
Bad Guy: Miracle Man possessed by the darksoul of the Son of Satan
Synopsis
Scripter: J.M.DeMatteis
Penciler: Don Perlin
“Savior”
The Defenders, flying a borrowed Avengers Quinjet, search for teammate the Son of Satan. They come across a huge skyscraper statue in the Massachusets woods. As soon as they dodge the first one a second, and then a third appears. They crash.
A snow monster appears and they eventually destroy it. They find a monastery and enter. Within is the Miracle Man who has turned Daimon Hellstrom, the Son of Satan, into stone. With a snap of his fingers he releases him.
The Miracle Man then transports them to the island of Java in Indonesia where he converts a poverished village into a paradise. Daimon points out that he now has his mark of the Devil on his chest and the Miracle Man says he can control the dark soul that resides within him much better than the Son of Satan.
Miracle Man begins healing the sick, when a blind man refuses his help he becomes enraged and the darksoul’s influence begins to corrupt him. He downs all the Defender’s bar one… the Son of Satan. Daimon calls out to the darksoul corrupting Miracle Man to return to him.
He entices the darksoul out by offering himself to it and saying he will sit at his father’s side. As the darksoul leaves Miracle Man and prepares to enter Daiman, Hellcat and Overmind bombard the soul with mental force and push it into a snake.
The resultant blast reverts Miracle Man’s miracles and they all end up back at the Monastery.
Rating: 9/10
Being a big fan of Marvel’s Son of Satan I really enjoyed this issue. Great tale about the Son of Satan and his battle against his own darksoul, an omnipotent being, and the Defenders.
Favorite Panel:
I like this panel of the Son of Satan.
July 1983
Good Guys: The Defenders ( Gargoyle, Hellcat, Valkyrie, Beast, Overmind, Son of Satan)
Bad Guy: Miracle Man possessed by the darksoul of the Son of Satan
Synopsis
Scripter: J.M.DeMatteis
Penciler: Don Perlin
“Savior”
The Defenders, flying a borrowed Avengers Quinjet, search for teammate the Son of Satan. They come across a huge skyscraper statue in the Massachusets woods. As soon as they dodge the first one a second, and then a third appears. They crash.
A snow monster appears and they eventually destroy it. They find a monastery and enter. Within is the Miracle Man who has turned Daimon Hellstrom, the Son of Satan, into stone. With a snap of his fingers he releases him.
The Miracle Man then transports them to the island of Java in Indonesia where he converts a poverished village into a paradise. Daimon points out that he now has his mark of the Devil on his chest and the Miracle Man says he can control the dark soul that resides within him much better than the Son of Satan.
Miracle Man begins healing the sick, when a blind man refuses his help he becomes enraged and the darksoul’s influence begins to corrupt him. He downs all the Defender’s bar one… the Son of Satan. Daimon calls out to the darksoul corrupting Miracle Man to return to him.
He entices the darksoul out by offering himself to it and saying he will sit at his father’s side. As the darksoul leaves Miracle Man and prepares to enter Daiman, Hellcat and Overmind bombard the soul with mental force and push it into a snake.
The resultant blast reverts Miracle Man’s miracles and they all end up back at the Monastery.
Rating: 9/10
Being a big fan of Marvel’s Son of Satan I really enjoyed this issue. Great tale about the Son of Satan and his battle against his own darksoul, an omnipotent being, and the Defenders.
Favorite Panel:
I like this panel of the Son of Satan.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Mister Miracle #24
(DC)
February 1991
Good Guy: Mister Miracle/Shilo Norman
Bad Guy: The Lump
Cameos: Oberon, Highfather, Big Barda, Scott Free/Mister Miracle, Granny Goodness
Synopsis
Writer: Doug Moench
Artists: Bob Dvorak & Ken Hooper
“The Lump that came to Campus”
Scott is offered a research job from an unknown employer and Barda tries her hand at women’s wrestling by defeating their champion easily.
Meanwhile Shilo goes to sleep and is attacked by the Lump from Apocolypse. The Lump enters Shilo’s brain and he must do battle with it in his head. He defeats the Lump who is a reality altering shape changing entity.
When Shilo wakes the Lump departs and Scott and the Highfather explain the Lump is a creature of the ID and a challenge we all must face in ourselves sooner or later.
Rating: 6/10
Great artwork. Not a bad little story and another tale that shows Shilo as being an adequate replacement for Scott Free’s Mister Miracle.
Favorite Panel:
February 1991
Good Guy: Mister Miracle/Shilo Norman
Bad Guy: The Lump
Cameos: Oberon, Highfather, Big Barda, Scott Free/Mister Miracle, Granny Goodness
Synopsis
Writer: Doug Moench
Artists: Bob Dvorak & Ken Hooper
“The Lump that came to Campus”
Scott is offered a research job from an unknown employer and Barda tries her hand at women’s wrestling by defeating their champion easily.
Meanwhile Shilo goes to sleep and is attacked by the Lump from Apocolypse. The Lump enters Shilo’s brain and he must do battle with it in his head. He defeats the Lump who is a reality altering shape changing entity.
When Shilo wakes the Lump departs and Scott and the Highfather explain the Lump is a creature of the ID and a challenge we all must face in ourselves sooner or later.
Rating: 6/10
Great artwork. Not a bad little story and another tale that shows Shilo as being an adequate replacement for Scott Free’s Mister Miracle.
Favorite Panel:
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Amazing Spider-Man #191
(MARVEL)
April 1979
Good Guy: Spider-Man/Peter Parker
Bad Guy: Spencer Smythe
Cameos: J Jonah Jameson, Joe Robertson, Marla Madison, Betty Brant, Mary Jane Watson, District Attorney Blake Tower
Synopsis
Writer/Editor: Stan Lee
Illustrators: Keith Pollard & Mike Esposito
“Wanted for Murder: Spider-Man!”
We open with JJJ going nuts about Spider-Man killing his son. He ends his conversation with Robbie by firing Parker. Robbie still hires Peter as photographer at the Egypt exhibition and he decides to ask MJ to go there on a date with him.
While web-swinging Spidey saves an old lady and a speeding driver from crashing into a wall. They appear frightened of him due to the Bugle’s headline “Spider-Man Killer”.
Meanwhile JJJ visits Spencer Smythe who has built mechanical Spider Slayer’s in the past in an attempt to destroy Spider-Man. Unfortunately this has exposed Spencer to radioactive materials and he is dying. When Jonah walks in he sees it as an opportunity to destroy both Spidey and Jonah.
Smythe shows Jonah Spider Slayer V and then he tricks Jameson by handcuffing him. The Spider Slayer V captures Spidey and he wakes up handcuffed to Jonah.
Rating: 8/10
Great to see JJJ’s blood boiling!! He is very entertaining. Very nice artwork.
Favorite Panel:
April 1979
Good Guy: Spider-Man/Peter Parker
Bad Guy: Spencer Smythe
Cameos: J Jonah Jameson, Joe Robertson, Marla Madison, Betty Brant, Mary Jane Watson, District Attorney Blake Tower
Synopsis
Writer/Editor: Stan Lee
Illustrators: Keith Pollard & Mike Esposito
“Wanted for Murder: Spider-Man!”
We open with JJJ going nuts about Spider-Man killing his son. He ends his conversation with Robbie by firing Parker. Robbie still hires Peter as photographer at the Egypt exhibition and he decides to ask MJ to go there on a date with him.
While web-swinging Spidey saves an old lady and a speeding driver from crashing into a wall. They appear frightened of him due to the Bugle’s headline “Spider-Man Killer”.
Meanwhile JJJ visits Spencer Smythe who has built mechanical Spider Slayer’s in the past in an attempt to destroy Spider-Man. Unfortunately this has exposed Spencer to radioactive materials and he is dying. When Jonah walks in he sees it as an opportunity to destroy both Spidey and Jonah.
Smythe shows Jonah Spider Slayer V and then he tricks Jameson by handcuffing him. The Spider Slayer V captures Spidey and he wakes up handcuffed to Jonah.
Rating: 8/10
Great to see JJJ’s blood boiling!! He is very entertaining. Very nice artwork.
Favorite Panel:
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Amazing Spider-Man #96
(MARVEL)
May 1971
Good Guy: Spider-Man/Peter Parker
Bad Guy: Green Goblin/Norman Osborn
Cameos: Gwen Stacy, Joe Robertson, Harry Osborn, Betty Brant, Aunt May, Anna Watson, Mary Jane Watson, Randy Robertson
Synopsis
Story: Stan Lee
Art: Gil Kane, John Romita
“…and now, the Goblin!”
Peter flies back from England. He hands over some shots of Spidey in action in London. He begins to suspect that Robbie knows that Spider-Man and Peter Parker are one in the same.
Harry Osborne insists Peter takes up his father’s offer of a research spot at Osborn’s chemical plant. This makes Peter uneasy as Norman Osborn, before his memory loss, was the Green Goblin.
After meeting with Norman Peter walks to the street and notices some cop cars. A young man is stoned out of his mind on a roof top. The guy jumps off the building and Spider-Man saves him.
Randy Robertson and Norman Osborn have an altercation outside the venue where MJ is to perform. The building was once owned by Norman and he senses a strange calling from a door. Peter senses it too and vows to come back later to investigate.
He comes back later, as does Norman. Norman remembers.
Rating: 8/10
A great issue. Norman Osborn slowly remembers his Green Goblin persona. I love how the beads of sweat grow on his forehead and you can see him begin to lose it!!
Favorite Panel:
The last... the return of the Goblin...
May 1971
Good Guy: Spider-Man/Peter Parker
Bad Guy: Green Goblin/Norman Osborn
Cameos: Gwen Stacy, Joe Robertson, Harry Osborn, Betty Brant, Aunt May, Anna Watson, Mary Jane Watson, Randy Robertson
Synopsis
Story: Stan Lee
Art: Gil Kane, John Romita
“…and now, the Goblin!”
Peter flies back from England. He hands over some shots of Spidey in action in London. He begins to suspect that Robbie knows that Spider-Man and Peter Parker are one in the same.
Harry Osborne insists Peter takes up his father’s offer of a research spot at Osborn’s chemical plant. This makes Peter uneasy as Norman Osborn, before his memory loss, was the Green Goblin.
After meeting with Norman Peter walks to the street and notices some cop cars. A young man is stoned out of his mind on a roof top. The guy jumps off the building and Spider-Man saves him.
Randy Robertson and Norman Osborn have an altercation outside the venue where MJ is to perform. The building was once owned by Norman and he senses a strange calling from a door. Peter senses it too and vows to come back later to investigate.
He comes back later, as does Norman. Norman remembers.
Rating: 8/10
A great issue. Norman Osborn slowly remembers his Green Goblin persona. I love how the beads of sweat grow on his forehead and you can see him begin to lose it!!
Favorite Panel:
The last... the return of the Goblin...
Monday, June 4, 2007
Defenders of the Earth #1
(STAR COMICS)
January 1987
Good Guys: Mandrake, Lothar, Phantom, Flash Gordon
Bad Guy: Ming the Merciless
Cameos: LJ, Kshin, Rick Gordon, Dale Gordon, Kro-Tan, Zuffy, Jedda
Synopsis
Writer: Stan Lee assisted by Bob Harras
Penciler: Alex Saviuk
Flash Gordon crashes his space rocket within the grounds of Mandrake and Lothar’s home. Robots come after him but Mandrake creates the illusion that Flash has ran off and flown away again.
Flash explains that his wife and son have been kidnapped by Ming the Merciless and that the Kingdom of Mongo is preparing to invade Earth.
Rick Gordon escapes his cell with the help of Zuffy a Mongo creature, but his mother, Dale, is recaptured.
Mandrake enlists the help of the Phantom and they head for Mongo in Flash’s repaired ship. They come under attack from Ming’s fleet. Mandrake creates some illusions so that many Earth ships appear. The fleet takes aim and attacks their own city as the blasts pass through the imaginary ships.
Ming flees and sets up an earth base in the arctic leaving behind Flash Gordon as he mourns his wife’s death. Zuffy finds a crystal harboring Dale’s life essence inside. Flash vows to discover its secrets but in the meantime the foursome become the “Defenders of the Earth”.
Rating: 5/10
Written by the great man Stan Lee. This was an establishment issue setting up the series. At the time of the issue there was an animated cartoon of the same name.
Very corny, but it was great to see the Phantom, clearly the strongest character of the foursome, in a sci-fi type comic. The way they got Dale Gordon out of the way so that we could have four men and their children in future stories was amusing.
Favorite Panel:
Corny…
January 1987
Good Guys: Mandrake, Lothar, Phantom, Flash Gordon
Bad Guy: Ming the Merciless
Cameos: LJ, Kshin, Rick Gordon, Dale Gordon, Kro-Tan, Zuffy, Jedda
Synopsis
Writer: Stan Lee assisted by Bob Harras
Penciler: Alex Saviuk
Flash Gordon crashes his space rocket within the grounds of Mandrake and Lothar’s home. Robots come after him but Mandrake creates the illusion that Flash has ran off and flown away again.
Flash explains that his wife and son have been kidnapped by Ming the Merciless and that the Kingdom of Mongo is preparing to invade Earth.
Rick Gordon escapes his cell with the help of Zuffy a Mongo creature, but his mother, Dale, is recaptured.
Mandrake enlists the help of the Phantom and they head for Mongo in Flash’s repaired ship. They come under attack from Ming’s fleet. Mandrake creates some illusions so that many Earth ships appear. The fleet takes aim and attacks their own city as the blasts pass through the imaginary ships.
Ming flees and sets up an earth base in the arctic leaving behind Flash Gordon as he mourns his wife’s death. Zuffy finds a crystal harboring Dale’s life essence inside. Flash vows to discover its secrets but in the meantime the foursome become the “Defenders of the Earth”.
Rating: 5/10
Written by the great man Stan Lee. This was an establishment issue setting up the series. At the time of the issue there was an animated cartoon of the same name.
Very corny, but it was great to see the Phantom, clearly the strongest character of the foursome, in a sci-fi type comic. The way they got Dale Gordon out of the way so that we could have four men and their children in future stories was amusing.
Favorite Panel:
Corny…
Friday, June 1, 2007
Silver Surfer #44
(MARVEL)
December 1990
Good Guy: Silver Surfer
Bad Guy: Thanos
Cameos: Drax the Destroyer, Eros, Mentor, Galactus, Loki, Mephisto, Thor, Firelord, Fantastic Four, Dr. Doom, Hulk, Captain America, Nova, Super Skrull, Impossible-Man, Dr Strange, Sub-Mariner, Shalla-Bal … there are few more, that I couldn't recognise (see below)
Synopsis
“Epiphany”
Writer: Jim Starlin
Artist: Ron Lim
The Silver Surfer discovers that Thanos lives. Thanos faked his own death so that the Silver Surfer and others would be thrown off his trail. Thanos now possesses the Infinity Gems and wields infinite power.
Thanos brings Drax and the Surfer before him. He explains to them that he has become master of time, space, soul, mind, reality and power.
Thanos renders the Surfer and Drax helpless meanwhile Mephisto sits patiently watching waiting for Thanos to slip up so that he can grasp the power of the Infinity gems.
Rating: 6/10
This story just explains the power that Thanos now wields with the Infinity gems in his possession.
Favorite Panel:
The panel where all the cameos came from…
December 1990
Good Guy: Silver Surfer
Bad Guy: Thanos
Cameos: Drax the Destroyer, Eros, Mentor, Galactus, Loki, Mephisto, Thor, Firelord, Fantastic Four, Dr. Doom, Hulk, Captain America, Nova, Super Skrull, Impossible-Man, Dr Strange, Sub-Mariner, Shalla-Bal … there are few more, that I couldn't recognise (see below)
Synopsis
“Epiphany”
Writer: Jim Starlin
Artist: Ron Lim
The Silver Surfer discovers that Thanos lives. Thanos faked his own death so that the Silver Surfer and others would be thrown off his trail. Thanos now possesses the Infinity Gems and wields infinite power.
Thanos brings Drax and the Surfer before him. He explains to them that he has become master of time, space, soul, mind, reality and power.
Thanos renders the Surfer and Drax helpless meanwhile Mephisto sits patiently watching waiting for Thanos to slip up so that he can grasp the power of the Infinity gems.
Rating: 6/10
This story just explains the power that Thanos now wields with the Infinity gems in his possession.
Favorite Panel:
The panel where all the cameos came from…
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Hercules Prince of Power, Volume 2, #4
(MARVEL)
June 1984
Good Guy: Hercules
Bad Guy: Zeus
Cameos: Recorder, Apollo, Red Wolf, Skyppi the Skrull, Mentor, Eros
Synopsis
“A Pearl of Great Price!”
Writer/Artist: Bob Layton
Hercules arrives in Olympus to find it deserted and in ruins. He is shocked to find that his father, Zeus, has destroyed all the Gods of Olympus and intends to battle Hercules to the death.
Zeus and Hercules battle and as Herc has the advantage he cannot kill his father. His father says that Hercules has passed the test. He states that the time of the Gods has long since passed and that the fates decreed that one, born of the Gods and of man, will survive. Zeus feared that Hercules was so headstrong that he would fail to prove worthy but he did not.
Zeus says all the other Gods he had slain are safe in a different reality and he must join them. He gives Hercules the choice to decide to stay or join his brethren beyond the stars.
He decides to stay and forge his own beginning amongst the stars.
Rating: 7/10
Not a bad story reminiscent of the recent 2004 Thor series where he is ruler of Asgard. Looking forward to Thor’s return next month, I bet Hercules is too!!
Favorite Panel:
June 1984
Good Guy: Hercules
Bad Guy: Zeus
Cameos: Recorder, Apollo, Red Wolf, Skyppi the Skrull, Mentor, Eros
Synopsis
“A Pearl of Great Price!”
Writer/Artist: Bob Layton
Hercules arrives in Olympus to find it deserted and in ruins. He is shocked to find that his father, Zeus, has destroyed all the Gods of Olympus and intends to battle Hercules to the death.
Zeus and Hercules battle and as Herc has the advantage he cannot kill his father. His father says that Hercules has passed the test. He states that the time of the Gods has long since passed and that the fates decreed that one, born of the Gods and of man, will survive. Zeus feared that Hercules was so headstrong that he would fail to prove worthy but he did not.
Zeus says all the other Gods he had slain are safe in a different reality and he must join them. He gives Hercules the choice to decide to stay or join his brethren beyond the stars.
He decides to stay and forge his own beginning amongst the stars.
Rating: 7/10
Not a bad story reminiscent of the recent 2004 Thor series where he is ruler of Asgard. Looking forward to Thor’s return next month, I bet Hercules is too!!
Favorite Panel:
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
The Fury of Firestorm the Nuclear Man #14
(DC)
July 1983
Good Guy: Firestorm (Ronnie Raymond/Martin Stein)
Bad Guys: Multiplex & Enforcer
Cameos: Jefferson, Cliff Carmichael, Doreen Day, Clarissa Clemens, Lorraine Reilly, Senator Walter Reilly, Ed Raymond
Synopsis
“Enforcer”
Writer/Editor: Gerry Conway
Artist/Storyteller: Pat Broderick
Artist/Embellisher: Rodin Rodriguez
The Professor has just lost his job at Concordance Research and Ronnie gets him a job flipping burgers at the Bun n’ Bun.
Outside, the Professor’s ex-wife Clarissa Clemens is enjoying watching her ex-husband flounder at his new job. She signals to her employer, Enforcer, that he is about to be fired and make his exit out of the restaurant.
Martin and Ronnie (who gets fired aswell) walk out and encounter Enforcer. He kidnaps the Professor and throws Ronnie through a window. When he comes to, Ronnie attempts to transform into Firestorm but the torture that Martin is under prevents him from doing so.
Meanwhile Lorraine Reilly has been kidnapped and her father Senator Reilly is being blackmailed.
The Enforcer places disrupter pods on Martin’s temples and says he knows about Martin and Ronnie being Firestorm from a tape the Professor made admitting it (stupid!!).
Martin uses a soldering iron that he finds in the lab where he has been kept for safe keeping and burns the pods off his head. The Firestorm transformation is enabled and they go to battle enforcer. The enforcer blasts them in his Sentry Mark XX Combat Tank and he is captured.
The brains behind the whole kidnapping, turns out to be Multiplex.
Rating: 8/10
Great read. The Enforcer is a great mercenary villain.
Favorite Panel:
July 1983
Good Guy: Firestorm (Ronnie Raymond/Martin Stein)
Bad Guys: Multiplex & Enforcer
Cameos: Jefferson, Cliff Carmichael, Doreen Day, Clarissa Clemens, Lorraine Reilly, Senator Walter Reilly, Ed Raymond
Synopsis
“Enforcer”
Writer/Editor: Gerry Conway
Artist/Storyteller: Pat Broderick
Artist/Embellisher: Rodin Rodriguez
The Professor has just lost his job at Concordance Research and Ronnie gets him a job flipping burgers at the Bun n’ Bun.
Outside, the Professor’s ex-wife Clarissa Clemens is enjoying watching her ex-husband flounder at his new job. She signals to her employer, Enforcer, that he is about to be fired and make his exit out of the restaurant.
Martin and Ronnie (who gets fired aswell) walk out and encounter Enforcer. He kidnaps the Professor and throws Ronnie through a window. When he comes to, Ronnie attempts to transform into Firestorm but the torture that Martin is under prevents him from doing so.
Meanwhile Lorraine Reilly has been kidnapped and her father Senator Reilly is being blackmailed.
The Enforcer places disrupter pods on Martin’s temples and says he knows about Martin and Ronnie being Firestorm from a tape the Professor made admitting it (stupid!!).
Martin uses a soldering iron that he finds in the lab where he has been kept for safe keeping and burns the pods off his head. The Firestorm transformation is enabled and they go to battle enforcer. The enforcer blasts them in his Sentry Mark XX Combat Tank and he is captured.
The brains behind the whole kidnapping, turns out to be Multiplex.
Rating: 8/10
Great read. The Enforcer is a great mercenary villain.
Favorite Panel:
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Hercules Prince of Power, Volume 2, #2
(MARVEL)
April 1984
Good Guy: Hercules
Bad Guy: Zeus
Cameos: Dionysus, Hephaestus, Apollo, Athena, Red Wolf, Recorder
Synopsis
“Red Wolf stalks the Stars!”
Creator of Nifty Words and Pictures: Bob Layton
Hercules, Recorder and Skyppi the Skrull are pursued by Stratos Patrol as they attempt to escape the planet Deniciere in Hercules’s chariot. Hercules leaps off the chariot to confront them and Recorder, Skyppi and chariot go flying into a building.
Eventually they escape and travel to Starstation Philord. Here they find that a Skrull has been disguising himself as Parnal Banak a candidate for President. The Red Wolf appears and kills Banak. He himself is shot and reverts to a more frail human form.
Upon arrival at the Starstation Hercules is arrested and put in the same cell as the man who converted into the Red Wolf. Hercules notes that he is aging and at that same moment Zeus has begun killing all the Gods of Olympus and retrieving his power from those he gave.
The man in the cell with Herc is Rojohn Smythe an archeologist who came upon the power of the Red Wolf while visiting a planet called Talbosia whose inhabitants had been wiped out by the Skrulls. He became an unwilling spirit of vengeance against the Skrulls.
Skyppi comes to rescue Hercules and this triggers the Red Wolf transformation in Rojohn. A fight ensues and Hercules saves Red Wolf from being sucked out into space.
Rating: 7/10
Red Wolf is very similar to Orion of the new gods from DC comics. Good issue. Zeus killing the gods is the highlight/lowlight whatever you want to call it.
Favorite Panel:
I couldn’t split these three panels of Zeus really losing it… reminiscent of Lord Vader wiping out the Jedi in Revenge of the Sith...
April 1984
Good Guy: Hercules
Bad Guy: Zeus
Cameos: Dionysus, Hephaestus, Apollo, Athena, Red Wolf, Recorder
Synopsis
“Red Wolf stalks the Stars!”
Creator of Nifty Words and Pictures: Bob Layton
Hercules, Recorder and Skyppi the Skrull are pursued by Stratos Patrol as they attempt to escape the planet Deniciere in Hercules’s chariot. Hercules leaps off the chariot to confront them and Recorder, Skyppi and chariot go flying into a building.
Eventually they escape and travel to Starstation Philord. Here they find that a Skrull has been disguising himself as Parnal Banak a candidate for President. The Red Wolf appears and kills Banak. He himself is shot and reverts to a more frail human form.
Upon arrival at the Starstation Hercules is arrested and put in the same cell as the man who converted into the Red Wolf. Hercules notes that he is aging and at that same moment Zeus has begun killing all the Gods of Olympus and retrieving his power from those he gave.
The man in the cell with Herc is Rojohn Smythe an archeologist who came upon the power of the Red Wolf while visiting a planet called Talbosia whose inhabitants had been wiped out by the Skrulls. He became an unwilling spirit of vengeance against the Skrulls.
Skyppi comes to rescue Hercules and this triggers the Red Wolf transformation in Rojohn. A fight ensues and Hercules saves Red Wolf from being sucked out into space.
Rating: 7/10
Red Wolf is very similar to Orion of the new gods from DC comics. Good issue. Zeus killing the gods is the highlight/lowlight whatever you want to call it.
Favorite Panel:
I couldn’t split these three panels of Zeus really losing it… reminiscent of Lord Vader wiping out the Jedi in Revenge of the Sith...
Monday, May 28, 2007
Amazing Spider-Man #283
(MARVEL)
December 1986
Good Guy: Spider-Man
Bad Guys: Titania & the Absorbing Man
Cameos: Flash Thompson, Captain Keating, Kate Cushing, Betty Brant, Ned Leeds, Joe Robertson, Lance Bannon, Wasp, Mary Jane Watson, Hobgoblin, Daniel Kingsley (posing as his identical twin brother Roderick)
Synopsis
“With foes like these…”
Writer: Tom DeFalco
Penciler: Ron Frenz
Peter Parker's old high school classmate/bully Flash Thompson has been wrongly accused of being the infamous Hobgoblin.
While searching for Flash Spidey runs into Titania robbing a jewelry store. She flees when she sees Spider-Man because in their last encounter (in the “Secret Wars”) Spidey trounced her.
Spider-Man tracks her down to a fancy hotel where her and Crusher Creel, aka the Absorbing Man, are hiding out. They let slip that they are going to make a huge haul at the Airport later that night so Spidey informs the Avengers.
Peter sells some photo’s to the Bugle and has a run in with Ned Leeds who continues to set off his Spider-sense. He meets MJ for lunch and his Spider-sense is again set off when the Hobgoblin is in the next room meeting with Daniel Kingsley (at the time we believe it to be Roderick his identical twin brother, however Daniel is running the modeling agency by day so that his brother, the Hobgoblin, can go about terrorizing the city - confusing ---yes!!)
Peter tells MJ that he will quit being Spider-Man after he finds Flash. Over the radio Spider-Man hears there has been a major disturbance at Avengers HQ. Just to make sure the Avengers apprehended Titania and the Absorbing Man he web-swings over to the airport where Titania throws a car at him.
A battle ensues and ends with Crusher holding up a plane and telling the wall crawler to go away or he’ll destroy the plane with all the passengers inside. Spider-Man has no option other than to leave.
Rating: 9/10
Great comic full of cameo's and lots of action!!
Favorite Panel:
Simple.. Spidey hitching a ride on top of a police car..
December 1986
Good Guy: Spider-Man
Bad Guys: Titania & the Absorbing Man
Cameos: Flash Thompson, Captain Keating, Kate Cushing, Betty Brant, Ned Leeds, Joe Robertson, Lance Bannon, Wasp, Mary Jane Watson, Hobgoblin, Daniel Kingsley (posing as his identical twin brother Roderick)
Synopsis
“With foes like these…”
Writer: Tom DeFalco
Penciler: Ron Frenz
Peter Parker's old high school classmate/bully Flash Thompson has been wrongly accused of being the infamous Hobgoblin.
While searching for Flash Spidey runs into Titania robbing a jewelry store. She flees when she sees Spider-Man because in their last encounter (in the “Secret Wars”) Spidey trounced her.
Spider-Man tracks her down to a fancy hotel where her and Crusher Creel, aka the Absorbing Man, are hiding out. They let slip that they are going to make a huge haul at the Airport later that night so Spidey informs the Avengers.
Peter sells some photo’s to the Bugle and has a run in with Ned Leeds who continues to set off his Spider-sense. He meets MJ for lunch and his Spider-sense is again set off when the Hobgoblin is in the next room meeting with Daniel Kingsley (at the time we believe it to be Roderick his identical twin brother, however Daniel is running the modeling agency by day so that his brother, the Hobgoblin, can go about terrorizing the city - confusing ---yes!!)
Peter tells MJ that he will quit being Spider-Man after he finds Flash. Over the radio Spider-Man hears there has been a major disturbance at Avengers HQ. Just to make sure the Avengers apprehended Titania and the Absorbing Man he web-swings over to the airport where Titania throws a car at him.
A battle ensues and ends with Crusher holding up a plane and telling the wall crawler to go away or he’ll destroy the plane with all the passengers inside. Spider-Man has no option other than to leave.
Rating: 9/10
Great comic full of cameo's and lots of action!!
Favorite Panel:
Simple.. Spidey hitching a ride on top of a police car..
Friday, May 25, 2007
Hercules Prince of Power, Volume 2, #1
(MARVEL)
March 1984
Good Guy: Hercules
Bad Guys: Skrulls
Cameos: Recorder, Ares, Pluto, Venus, Zeus
Overview
“My Love is… Green?”
Writer/Artist: Bob Layton
The year is 2385 and Hercules is in a peacekeeping force to squelch a military uprising on the mining colony of Lerarak-27. Hercules single handedly, and unarmed, subdues the rebels who are under the command of a Skrull shape-shifter.
In the battle Commander Amayd Malin, a close friend of Hercules’s, dies. Herc calls 41 years that they have known each other a “short” time.
The Recorder and Hercules travel to the Orion Galaxy and meet Officer Tyne Pryntess at the Deniciere Spaceport. She is an empathy who is sensitive to emotions and surprises Herc with her ability to calm his stallions.
Meanwhile on Mount Olympus, Ares ‘the God of War’ grows contemptuous of his fellow Olympians claiming they are old women and that Zeus did Hercules a favor by banishing him from Olympus. Zeus destroys Ares with but a thought.
Hercules has become infatuated with a woman he has met in the lobby of the Hotel Nebulon. He chases after her but she disappears. Officer Pryntess who was growing fond of Hercules is not amused by his sudden infatuation.
The woman is in a fashion show and Herc jumps the stage and admits his undying love for her. Recorder interrupts and says that she is a Skrull. The Skrull admits to the crowd that he has defected from the Skrull planet and has saught refuge as “Sasha” the fashion model. The money was good.
The Skrull, Recorder and Hercules run from the hostile crowd and meet Officer Pryntess who is with Hercules horses. He gives her a farewell kiss and we finish our story back at the chambers of Zeus where he is meeting with Pluto. He says the Gods of Olympus must die!
Rating: 7/10
A slow start but picked up when we went to Mount Olympus and Ares got turned to dust. Looking forward to the next installment.
Favorite Panel:
March 1984
Good Guy: Hercules
Bad Guys: Skrulls
Cameos: Recorder, Ares, Pluto, Venus, Zeus
Overview
“My Love is… Green?”
Writer/Artist: Bob Layton
The year is 2385 and Hercules is in a peacekeeping force to squelch a military uprising on the mining colony of Lerarak-27. Hercules single handedly, and unarmed, subdues the rebels who are under the command of a Skrull shape-shifter.
In the battle Commander Amayd Malin, a close friend of Hercules’s, dies. Herc calls 41 years that they have known each other a “short” time.
The Recorder and Hercules travel to the Orion Galaxy and meet Officer Tyne Pryntess at the Deniciere Spaceport. She is an empathy who is sensitive to emotions and surprises Herc with her ability to calm his stallions.
Meanwhile on Mount Olympus, Ares ‘the God of War’ grows contemptuous of his fellow Olympians claiming they are old women and that Zeus did Hercules a favor by banishing him from Olympus. Zeus destroys Ares with but a thought.
Hercules has become infatuated with a woman he has met in the lobby of the Hotel Nebulon. He chases after her but she disappears. Officer Pryntess who was growing fond of Hercules is not amused by his sudden infatuation.
The woman is in a fashion show and Herc jumps the stage and admits his undying love for her. Recorder interrupts and says that she is a Skrull. The Skrull admits to the crowd that he has defected from the Skrull planet and has saught refuge as “Sasha” the fashion model. The money was good.
The Skrull, Recorder and Hercules run from the hostile crowd and meet Officer Pryntess who is with Hercules horses. He gives her a farewell kiss and we finish our story back at the chambers of Zeus where he is meeting with Pluto. He says the Gods of Olympus must die!
Rating: 7/10
A slow start but picked up when we went to Mount Olympus and Ares got turned to dust. Looking forward to the next installment.
Favorite Panel:
Thursday, May 24, 2007
The Defenders #33
(MARVEL)
March 1975
Good Guys: The Defenders (Nighthawk, Valkyrie, Hulk, Dr Strange)
Bad Guys: The Headmen (Dr Jerry Morgan, Dr Arthur Nagan, Chondu the Mystic, Ruby Thursday)
Cameos: Jack Norris, Nebulon
Overview
“Webbed hands, Warm heart!”
Story: Steve Gerber
Layouts: Sal Buscema
Finished Art: Jim Mooney
Nighthawk has been captured by the Headmen. Chondu the Mystics brain has been put in Nighthawk’s body. Dr Strange discovers this and switches Jack Norris’s soul into Nighthawk’s body and Chondu’s into a fawn that the Hulk had been protecting.
Meanwhile red alien fish type creatures are abducting humans and animals alike, including the young fawn who Chondu’s spirit inhabits.
Thinking that Nighthawk is still Chondu the Headmen render Dr Strange, Hulk and Valkyrie unconscious. They wake up and a battle ensues and Jack Norris, in Nighthawk’s body, grabs Nighthawks brain which is in a bowl of solution. Believing it to be Chondu, Dr Nagan does not give chase.
Nighthawk, and brain, is captured by the alien fishmen and is confronted by their leader Nebulon “ the Celestial Man”. Our story ends.
Rating: 7/10
A good slightly humorous read ... what with all the brain and soul swapping going on!!
Favorite Panel:
March 1975
Good Guys: The Defenders (Nighthawk, Valkyrie, Hulk, Dr Strange)
Bad Guys: The Headmen (Dr Jerry Morgan, Dr Arthur Nagan, Chondu the Mystic, Ruby Thursday)
Cameos: Jack Norris, Nebulon
Overview
“Webbed hands, Warm heart!”
Story: Steve Gerber
Layouts: Sal Buscema
Finished Art: Jim Mooney
Nighthawk has been captured by the Headmen. Chondu the Mystics brain has been put in Nighthawk’s body. Dr Strange discovers this and switches Jack Norris’s soul into Nighthawk’s body and Chondu’s into a fawn that the Hulk had been protecting.
Meanwhile red alien fish type creatures are abducting humans and animals alike, including the young fawn who Chondu’s spirit inhabits.
Thinking that Nighthawk is still Chondu the Headmen render Dr Strange, Hulk and Valkyrie unconscious. They wake up and a battle ensues and Jack Norris, in Nighthawk’s body, grabs Nighthawks brain which is in a bowl of solution. Believing it to be Chondu, Dr Nagan does not give chase.
Nighthawk, and brain, is captured by the alien fishmen and is confronted by their leader Nebulon “ the Celestial Man”. Our story ends.
Rating: 7/10
A good slightly humorous read ... what with all the brain and soul swapping going on!!
Favorite Panel:
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Peter Parker: Spider-Man #1
(MARVEL)
Jan 1999
Good Guys: Spider-Man
Bad Guys: The Ranger
Cameos: Mary Jane Watson, Aunt May, J Jonah Jameson, Joe Robertson, Betty Brant, Jill Stacy, Senator Ward, Ben Parker
Overview
Story 1:
“Power Without Responsibility!”
Story & Art: Howard Mackie / John Romita Jr / Scott Hanna
Peter Parker is taking pics of a new Spider-Man in action against some men in iron suits who attempt to free a criminal known as The Ranger. They succeed.
Peter and Jill go to the airport to pick up MJ who is coming home from a fashion shoot. Senator Ward also arrives and The Ranger confronts him. The Ranger himself is then confronted by the new Spider-Man.
The Ranger subdues Spider-Man and the secret service agents protecting Senator Ward. The on-looking Peter Parker, battling his own inner demons, weighs up whether or not he should become involved.
He gets involved just as The Ranger is about to strike Senator Ward. This gives Spider-Man the chance to subdue The Ranger.
Story 2:
“Memories”
Story & Art: Howard Mackie / Andy Smith / Brad Vancata
Quaint little story reinforcing the strong bond that Peter shared with his Uncle Ben.
Rating: 5/10
I am not a big fan of JRJR’s artwork .. he gets the job done but it’s just not my taste.
Favorite Panel:
Jan 1999
Good Guys: Spider-Man
Bad Guys: The Ranger
Cameos: Mary Jane Watson, Aunt May, J Jonah Jameson, Joe Robertson, Betty Brant, Jill Stacy, Senator Ward, Ben Parker
Overview
Story 1:
“Power Without Responsibility!”
Story & Art: Howard Mackie / John Romita Jr / Scott Hanna
Peter Parker is taking pics of a new Spider-Man in action against some men in iron suits who attempt to free a criminal known as The Ranger. They succeed.
Peter and Jill go to the airport to pick up MJ who is coming home from a fashion shoot. Senator Ward also arrives and The Ranger confronts him. The Ranger himself is then confronted by the new Spider-Man.
The Ranger subdues Spider-Man and the secret service agents protecting Senator Ward. The on-looking Peter Parker, battling his own inner demons, weighs up whether or not he should become involved.
He gets involved just as The Ranger is about to strike Senator Ward. This gives Spider-Man the chance to subdue The Ranger.
Story 2:
“Memories”
Story & Art: Howard Mackie / Andy Smith / Brad Vancata
Quaint little story reinforcing the strong bond that Peter shared with his Uncle Ben.
Rating: 5/10
I am not a big fan of JRJR’s artwork .. he gets the job done but it’s just not my taste.
Favorite Panel:
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Marvel Team Up #45
(MARVEL)
May 1976
Good Guys: Spider-Man / Killraven
Bad Guys: Martians and Skar
Cameos: Green Goblin, Mary Jane Watson, Volcana Ash, M’Shulla Scott, Carmilla Frost, Old Skull, Mint Julep
Overview
“Future-Shock!”
Writer: Bill Mantlo
Artists: Sal Buscema & Mike Eposito
Spidey is riding a time platform and it sends him into the future, 2019 to be precise, where he meets Killraven. They defeat a few tripod ships and Killraven tells Spidey that in 2001 there was an invasion of earth by the martians.
They are then sprayed with a hallucinogen by martian drones and confront their worst fears. In the process they beat up on a few martian drones.
Spidey hops on the time platform.
Rating: 4/10
Not without interest but time travel and Spidey don’t mix.
Favorite Panel:
Best part of this issue was this great double splash page.
May 1976
Good Guys: Spider-Man / Killraven
Bad Guys: Martians and Skar
Cameos: Green Goblin, Mary Jane Watson, Volcana Ash, M’Shulla Scott, Carmilla Frost, Old Skull, Mint Julep
Overview
“Future-Shock!”
Writer: Bill Mantlo
Artists: Sal Buscema & Mike Eposito
Spidey is riding a time platform and it sends him into the future, 2019 to be precise, where he meets Killraven. They defeat a few tripod ships and Killraven tells Spidey that in 2001 there was an invasion of earth by the martians.
They are then sprayed with a hallucinogen by martian drones and confront their worst fears. In the process they beat up on a few martian drones.
Spidey hops on the time platform.
Rating: 4/10
Not without interest but time travel and Spidey don’t mix.
Favorite Panel:
Best part of this issue was this great double splash page.
Monday, May 21, 2007
The Defenders #52
(MARVEL)
October 1977
Good Guys: The Defenders ( Valkyrie, Hellcat, Hulk, Nighthawk )
Bad Guy: The Presence (although not directly)
Cameos: Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Edwin Jarvis, Sub Mariner (Prince Namor), Red Guardian
Overview
“Defender of the Realm!”
Writer: David Kraft
Artists: Keith Giffen & Chic Stone
We open with the Sub-Mariner marching through the streets of Park Avenue dressed in his full Royal Garb… funny to say the least.
The Hulk jumps down from a building thinking to aid his friend the ‘fishman’. Namor brushes him aside and Hulk hits him back. A fight rages.
There is a brief interlude in Russia where we learn the Presence has been undertaking underground nuclear tests. The Red Guardian is persuaded to join a cult led by Sergei ‘the Presence’ in a plot to detonate a nuclear blast in Europe.
Radioactive leakage from these tests have contaminated the sea bed.
This is why Namor has come to the surface to get aid from the Fantastic Four. He instead enlists the help of the Defenders, after Nighthawk and Hellcat step in and see to it that Namor and the Hulk make up.
Rating: 7/10
Simple… but I enjoyed it.
Favorite Panel:
October 1977
Good Guys: The Defenders ( Valkyrie, Hellcat, Hulk, Nighthawk )
Bad Guy: The Presence (although not directly)
Cameos: Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Edwin Jarvis, Sub Mariner (Prince Namor), Red Guardian
Overview
“Defender of the Realm!”
Writer: David Kraft
Artists: Keith Giffen & Chic Stone
We open with the Sub-Mariner marching through the streets of Park Avenue dressed in his full Royal Garb… funny to say the least.
The Hulk jumps down from a building thinking to aid his friend the ‘fishman’. Namor brushes him aside and Hulk hits him back. A fight rages.
There is a brief interlude in Russia where we learn the Presence has been undertaking underground nuclear tests. The Red Guardian is persuaded to join a cult led by Sergei ‘the Presence’ in a plot to detonate a nuclear blast in Europe.
Radioactive leakage from these tests have contaminated the sea bed.
This is why Namor has come to the surface to get aid from the Fantastic Four. He instead enlists the help of the Defenders, after Nighthawk and Hellcat step in and see to it that Namor and the Hulk make up.
Rating: 7/10
Simple… but I enjoyed it.
Favorite Panel:
Friday, May 18, 2007
The Amazing Spider-Man #147
(MARVEL)
August 1975
Good Guy: Spider-Man
Bad Guy: Tarantula
Cameos: The Jackal, Mary Jane Watson, May Parker, Anna Watson
Overview
“The Tarantula is a very Deadly Beast!”
Writer: Gerry Conway
Artists: Ross Andru
The Tarantula escapes from jail with the aid of The Jackal and proceeds to attack Spider-Man in the street.
The Tarantula leads Spidey onto a bus driven by a driver who appears not to realize what is going on. The passengers all flee the bus as a Gwen Stacy clone hops on. The bus driver reveals himself to be The Jackal.
They reach the Brooklyn bridge and The Jackal and Gwen get out of the bus. Spider-Man turns his back on the Tarantula to stop The Jackal and is stabbed with the Tarantula's deadly poison tipped boot.
When Spider-Man regains consciousness he is chained on top of the bridge. He is pushed off and that is where our story concludes.
Rating: 8/10
Plenty of action in this one.
Favorite Panel:
August 1975
Good Guy: Spider-Man
Bad Guy: Tarantula
Cameos: The Jackal, Mary Jane Watson, May Parker, Anna Watson
Overview
“The Tarantula is a very Deadly Beast!”
Writer: Gerry Conway
Artists: Ross Andru
The Tarantula escapes from jail with the aid of The Jackal and proceeds to attack Spider-Man in the street.
The Tarantula leads Spidey onto a bus driven by a driver who appears not to realize what is going on. The passengers all flee the bus as a Gwen Stacy clone hops on. The bus driver reveals himself to be The Jackal.
They reach the Brooklyn bridge and The Jackal and Gwen get out of the bus. Spider-Man turns his back on the Tarantula to stop The Jackal and is stabbed with the Tarantula's deadly poison tipped boot.
When Spider-Man regains consciousness he is chained on top of the bridge. He is pushed off and that is where our story concludes.
Rating: 8/10
Plenty of action in this one.
Favorite Panel:
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