A Happy New Year Girls & Boys Everywhere (No matter how old you are now....)

The New Year is approaching fast and I've a full Christmas Dinner to cook for tonight as I couldn't get a bird for Christmas Day. Roast Chicken, Cranberry Glazed Ham and all the trimmings to see in 2021. But it'll just be the two of us since the needs of lock-down come first.

So Stay safe. Stay at home and help the hard pressed NHS at this difficult time for all our Doctors Nurses and their support staff without whom I would not still be here typing my usual nonsense!

I am a bit behind but have have plenty of posts about comics new & old, British & American, Doctor Who CD's and more including a special week planned for later in the year. So please stick with me for nostalgia about comics and more over the coming year.

I thought I'd stick to the Doctor Who theme for the choice of video with a song I have not heard until shortly before posting it. An instrumental by a group called The Earthlings with Landing Of The daleks inspired by the movie rather than the TV series.

Metal Men #40 (DC/1969)

 

Metal Men #40

No Credits (w) & (a)

The second of the New Metal Men titles I picked up features a cover of a mystery villain but to regular readers the implication is clear. Tina is being murdered by none other than her creator Doc Magnus. Why? And where has he been?

I picked this up because of the cover and have to say it was worth the price of entry. The Metal men's new benefactor the mysterious Mr Conan has a new mission for them. One only they can complete for reason which become obvious later on.

It seems that the Doc has been kidnapped by some dictator from an Eastern European country who seeks to dominate the world (well this was written during the Cold War). A man named Karnak leader of the tiny country Karnia and a brilliant scientist in his own right. Conan wants the Metal men to kill Doc Magnus not rescue him.

The Metal Men baulk at the idea of killing their creator despite his having an irreversible brain operation but nevertheless go on the mission. Things go wrong from the start as they jump their plane is shot down and there are troops waiting for them. However these being robots allow our heroes to use their powers.

Wiping out their initial opposition the team hijack the robots transport and use it to infiltrate the dictators den. This was the reason the Metal men were chosen as being robots they were not detected in this lair of machinery as human agents would have been. 

Although the metal men succeed in destroying the villain's robot army when Platinum find the Doc she is unable to kill him in turn finding herself shot and dying. Doc Magnus escapes vowing to continue his campaign to rule the masses.

Sadly for me the story is continued in the next issue which I do not have but perhaps one day.......

 

Giant Size Chillers #1 (Marvel/1975)

 

Giant Size Chillers #1 (Marvel)

Various (w) & (a)

From the era that saw a relaxation of the Comic Code Authority and the growth of horror comics back on the stands. Amongst these was Giant Size Chillers, an anthology published by Marvel Comics which contained a mixture of new stories and reprints (to keep costs down).  

This contained nine stories with a framed sequence featuring a non-participating "host" of sorts who didn't survive the first issue. In fact he didn't survive at all........

New stories included The Gravesend Gorgon about a man and a deal with a sea monster and a tale of mistaken identity in The Monster in the Wood both new, whilst Girl Who Couldn't Die is from Adventures Into Terror originally published in 1951.

The Borrowed face is a brand new tale of voodoo and revenge comes next followed by an odd-ball story from Astonishing Tales #49,  From Out Of The Past. There's also Next Stop Eternity from Journey Into Mystery #3 (1952).

Of the other stories only Gilt Edge Gnomes is of interest though the theme is far from original though the art sublime. 

Giant Size Chillers lasted just 3 issues but worth collecting if you are fans of the horror anthology genre which I certainly am.

Batman: Three Jokers Hardback Edition (DC/Black Label)

During the Darkseid War in the Justice League comics Batman gains control of the the Mobious Chair and his first and most memorable comment was "Three Jokers?". A mystery that remained to be resolved. As I wasn't following Batman titles at the time or since I had to wait for the Black Label mini series for the story-line to be revealed. Whether this was addressed in the Joker War epic crossover is not known to me and perhaps someone could let me know in the comments.

Sadly a problem arose whilst collecting the three issue mini series. Diamond did not deliver the first issue to my local comic shop so the second two issues are collecting dust in corner. I decided to grab a copy of the hardback via Amazon which arrived promptly something Diamond needs to learn from to be frank.

This is a very disturbing tale which involves not just Batman but Batgirl and the Red Hood along with the Joker. The three Jokers; the criminal, the clown and the comedian but how can he strike in three places a t once and what is his purpose of using the joker formula on so many victims. The creation of an "ultimate Joker"?

There are many mysteries that are resolved in this story which also features Joe Chill the man who murdered Bruce Wayne's parents. A hero commits a murder which the Bats cannot make an arrest for and a villain makes his peace with a victim.

A truly tragic tale involving the making and breaking of Jason Todd, a kiss that should never have happened and the ultimate mystery of the Joker (sort of) revealed. This is the ultimate Joker story and if you haven't read a Batman tale for a while this is the one you should have on your bookshelf. One that will be worth reading again in due course.

Rating: 5 Stars Plus. Highly recommended.

Detective Comics #1027 Hardback Deluxe Edition (DC)

Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 way back in 1939 and now makes his 1,000th appearance in the comic whose initials became the name of the publisher! One of the best known and loved comic book characters Batman along with his sidekick Robin has entertained generations of fans not just in comics but on in cartoons, TV, films and games over the years.

It was inevitable that DC would do something special with Detective Comics on this anniversary and this is an issue well worth picking up in this albeit more expensive Hardback edition. In doing so I have to admit that I have not purchased Batman comics for a long time because of the endless and far too expensive crossover events..

I started reading Batman back in the sixties and remember the introduction of Batgirl (Barbara Gordon) and Poison Ivy. Wish I still had the originals. Just have reprints now. I also recall the arrival of the batman TV show which was something millions of us watched and loved with the much loved and now sadly departed Adam West.

Then came the Dark Night in the late eighties and the world of Batman changed. Robin grew up and became Nightwing. The second Robin (Jason Todd) was murdered by the Joker. (he got better when Superboy Prime knocked his way back into the DCU, best not ask). Now he has a son Damian who really is a little bastard having been brought up by his mother Talia  daughter of Ras Al Ghul of the League of assassins.

I understand Alfred was killed off which is a shame as I missed the story. There's been other changes and the introduction of the Court of Owls during the "New 52" relaunch but despite a tie in with Jonah Hex didn't really appeal with it's revisions of continuity, but that's a story for another day.

As for this edition it contains a dozen stories by various writers and artists celebrating Batman's legacy. They are all well reading though my personal favourites were The Silver Ghost by Grant Morrisson and Legacy by Tom King and of course the first part of DC generations in Generations Factured. I've ordered the hardback of that story-line from Amazon which is due out in June 2021.

This edition contains a gallery the covers used on the variant editions and is an essential addition to any comic fans bookshelf.

Rating: 5 Stars (Highly Recommended) 

A Merry Christmas To All.

I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas or holiday no matter what religion or none wherever you may be in the world today.

This has been a difficult year and hopefully today's festivities will provide at least some relief from the crisis we have all faced and sadly is not over yet but hope is on the horizon. 

In past years I have posted a gallery of Christmas editions of comics but in line with the new direction of this blog here's a song that featured in Doctor Who Magazine this month. I had heard this before!

Shift #2 (Out Now!)

 

The second issue of the new British comic has hit the shelves of your local newsagents and any WH Smiths that remain open as the lock-down gets tougher. The publishers acknowledge the difficulties of launching Shift during the pandemic but inform us the first issue was a success which is good news. 

The publishing schedule is also made clear in the latest issue . Shift will be published every five weeks so that's 10 issues every year which is fine for an independent publication and don't forget this is a major effort by those involved so one hopes you gave the first issue a try (it's still available from the publisher) and will stick with it as the various stories develop.

This issue kicks off with a complete short story Chance by Hal Laren which will show the casual reader what a high standard this comic delvers in terms of story and art. This is followed by the second part of the so far silent science fiction adventure Kora which continues to entertaining.

The second installment of Soulwind is prefaced by an interview with creator Scott Morse. I have to say this was far more accessible than the the first part which leaves me with much more interest in events having been previously undecided. Might be worth re-reading the first part.

The wordy Tiny Acts of Violence follows and there's something sinister lurking in the background. And it's not communists for a change. Shifter is next up and the story gears up as two strangers with sinister intent show up and there's danger for Noah if he's not careful.

Foot Soldiers continues in it's strange world and is not in a "fold out format" though it continues in the form of a mural. Ed Doyle and Alan Holloway are interviewed next about their independent pocket sized Sentinel comic. I've got the last two issues and am currently waiting for the third held up in the Christmas post. Each issue is completely different. One to watch.

My favourite feature in this comic To The Death by Simon Furman and Geoff Senior finishes off this edition with our hero in danger but being nobodies fool the action is set to continue.  If you are interested (I certainly was) there is a US size prequel to this story available separately which I've just ordered but obviously won't arrive until after Christmas!

This is a fine example of what British comics can be and though the market remains small I hope this does reach some new readers. It certainly deserves to. 

Rating 5 Stars Highly recommended

Available from: theshift.store

Next issue: 4th February 2021:

The Phantom Stranger #13 (DC/1971)

 

The Phantom Stranger #13 (DC)

Bob Kanigher (w) Jim Aparo (a)

One of the most enigmatic of comic book characters The Phantom Stranger was something I developed an interest in later in my life. Seemingly always appearing out of nowhere and in many ways similar to but far less powerful than the Spectre the Phantom Stranger intervened in wider events than just the supernatural.

This story A Child of Death is one of these. Despite the mystery that revolves around the death of of two scientists working on a nuclear project there is obviously something sinister. A ranting arrogant German scientist blames the Stranger and fights with him but ends up sedated after talking about an apparition.

Posing as Professor Sackville's assistant the Stranger enters the lab openly as they discover the real threat comes from within. The boy. Every time someone has died the boy was there with his toy gun. Turns out the little brat was adopted and as they go to find him the"boy" turns out to be a mutant from a group of humans exiled below the Earth and physically unable to develop a body beyond that of a four year old. 

Despite the biological absurdity it appears these little men live under the Earth and their home is threatened by nuclear tests and "disguised" as harmless children are sent to infiltrate the worlds atomic establishments but too late as their world dies in the latest test leaving the Stranger angry. 

A sad story from the era which saw a radical movement against the bomb become part of modern culture and the issues are referenced in the dialogue.

Also appearing in this issue is a back up story The Devil's Timepiece featuring the ever sceptical Dr Thirteen who involves himself with mystery surrounding a mystical Grandfather clock. Too late for his friend who he finds dead with pitch fork wounds. Of course there's nothing supernatural here. The culprit is the son of a man who went to prison seeking revenge. However the Doctor muses about the curse surrounding the clock as once again it's presence has led to death.

I have a few of these comics and of all the series that DC has produced with The Phantom Stranger this is the best and worth picking up from time to time. Anything with Jim Aparo art is a joy to read!

Metal Men #38 (DC/1969)

 

Metal Men #38 (DC)

No credits (w) & (a)

One of the more interesting comics from what is now referred to as the "Silver Age" which I prefer to call my childhood was the Metal Men. Of course with limited pocket money and other comics to buy I only ever had a couple of these and certainly never got tor read these New Metal Men issues.

The old Metal Men were hunted and feared by mankind and according to the blurb in this issue were rescued and changed by a mysterious "Mr Conan" into human for complete with their old powers and were recruited to continue the fight against evil. Doctor Magnus is nowhere to be seen. I'll have to grab a couple of the previous issues sometime to find out why.

The Metal Men a product of modern science suddenly find themselves confronted with a supernatural menace. In the 20th Century they find themselves on a Witch Hunt. In fact a whole coven of them as an ancient evil has been awoken by their spell and the Earth faces eternal evil as the demon hordes awake from their eternal slumber.

Both individually and together they find themselves fighting demons on the underground, in the street and then using technology that can only exist in the comic world track down the coven who flee and unless all seven are destroyed the world will die.

There are car crashes, falling out of windows and the normal fates but my favourite is Platinum squashing a spider which turned out to be a disguised witch. She muses as to why as a robot such creatures should scare her.

The Metal Men succeed and the World is saved once again but they have to remain hidden from those they protect due to fear. A sad existence no matter what outer form out heroes take.

There's also a full page trailer for the next issue which I don't have but will be returning to this series later in the month!

Doctor Who: Ghosts (Big Finish/audio)

 

After being disappointed by my last Big Finish purchase the arrival of a new David Tennant as the Doctor with the wonderful Alex Kingston in tow certainly improved my mood during the current lock-down. 

The Doctor & River Song arrive on a planet renowned for it's ghosts. The Doctor doesn't believe in ghosts but this is the most haunted place in the galaxy. Trouble is the "ghosts" are dying. How is that possible? Add to that a party of tourists, strange mists that need to be avoided an a mystery develops.

There's also this area where passing spaceships seem to crash. Thing is why all in the same place? Can the mystery of the is planet be found somewhere here?

Given the predominance of the Time Lord Victorious story line across not just Big Finish but other Doctor Who media this adventure makes a pleasant change. David Tennants stories are mostly always worth listening to and though there are others out this month, I chose this one. There's more coming out of Big Finish than my pension can cope with!

I actually received this about a week ago but with the need to review some British comics this is a wee bit late. Anyway the next two Big Finish orders I made have arrived today so look out for reviews later in the month. I'm actually having a repeat listening to The Rapture* with Sylvester McCoy Sophie Aldred and Tony Blackburn from way back in 2002!

 Available from: bigfinish.com

*Only currently available as a download 

2000AD 100 page Christmas Edition (Rebellion)

 

The 100 page 2000AD Christmas Special dropped through my letter box yesterday and was a welcome treat as the lock-down continues. Tharg and his droids have provided an (almost) perfect comic for the holidays. 

As expected Judge Dredd is first up and Three Kings gives us a mixture of the disturbing along with hope as a monkey and his mates help a woman get her baby back from the Judges. The child was taken as there was clone-Judge DNA found which they claimed as state property. The fascists! With the use of some robots and a little ingenuity the baby is freed and the chase is on. 

Strontium Dog returns in Once Upon a Time in a Vest as Johnny Alpha, Wulf and Gronk seek another bounty though this has a twist. Great to see this classic 2000AD charcter back in action. More please! This is followed by a short adventure featuring the adult Survival Geeks story  A Quiet Night In though with a pet Cuthulu called Howard it probably never would be anyway.

Visions of a Deadworld is up next in the entertaining A Girl's Gotta Eat. There is more of this promised which I look forward to. Pity I can't say the same for Proteus Vex a strip I really do not like and skipped. Awful stuff but fortunately the only let down in the whole comic.

Slaine makes a welcome return in the to be continued Dragontamer in which our Barbarian hero turns up in the city of Troy of all places. Well Slaine only goes where the Goddess directs and the Trojans need a good slap it would seem and they are left reeling from their first encounter. 

Former Chief Judge Hershey also returns in a story The Brutal set in the wastelands and sees her take on some more baddies via a boxing contest? To be continued....

Meanwhile a Time Twister Story sees the Time Police try to clear up a mess but they haven't reckoned with  certain alien very close to all our hearts. Finally another classic character returns and Durham Red is in prison but as usual there's someone after her. Is she safe?

Rating: 5 Stars (Recommended)

Available from: 2000ad.com

The Angry Planet (Fleetway Files/Hibernia)

 

Despite everything that's going on around us there has not been a time like this to be a fan of British comics in years. New titles in the newsagents, monthly specials and reprints galore as Rebellion continue their publishing programme since obtaining the rights to so much classic material!

In addition to their Treasury of British Comics range Rebellion have teamed up with Hibernia to create a new series of reprint volumes under the label of The Fleetway Files using that old logo that used to adorn lots of annuals back in better times. 

The first of these volumes contains comparatively more "recent" material from Tornado the short lived comic intended as a "companion" to 2000AD.  This collects The Angry Planet by Alan Hebden with art by Massimo Belardinnelli which ran for all 22 issues. 

Since I only have a couple of issues of Tornado I was aware of the story so decided to pick this up when I saw it was being published and was extremely pleased I did as this was a great story full of action, intrigue and science fiction.

The Angry Plant focuses on the struggle by one man, a farmer named Matthew Markham who led Martian colonists in a battle for justice against the monopoly Mars Incorporated which sought to destroy their livelihoods and freedoms.

In an adventure that wouldn't have been out of place in it's more successful sister title 2000AD the conflict spans both Mars and Earth leading to war between the two sides on this slightly terra-formed world. Forced to flee to deep canyons elsewhere Mars holds a secret that will endanger them all.

I sat down late last night and read this in one sitting whilst listening to the soundtrack from Dancer In The Dark by Bjork which helped set the mood for me.

Rating: 5 Stars (Recommended)

Available from: comicsy.co.uk/hibernia

Misty Winter Special 2020 (Rebellion)

The last of Rebellions "Specials" for this year finally arrived and I have to say was well worth the weight. This is completely different to all the other multi-feature issues they have been producing as the Misty Winter Special contains just one major story and a shorter "backup". 

Infection by V.V.Glass & Anna Savory is a solid read which delves into the thoughts of a young girl who managed to win a scholarship to a very special school where there are seemingly no rules...except there seem to be rules (a lesson for Anarchists here methinks) and these lead to a mystery and some disturbing revelations. Much more than this I will leave you to find out.

Oh and did I mention the fabulous art by V.V. Glass. Hope we see more of their work in future issues.

Infection is frankly very disturbing in part because it seems so possible in the real world......

This is followed by much more traditional but  the equally worthy Home For Christmas by Lizzie Boyle and David Reach. A babysitter, two children, Christmas eve and a phone that falls down a long disused well. What could go wrong!

This is a horror comic at the end of the day even if Misty was originally for girls. If like me you didn't have a sister who read these first time round and refused point blank to be seen buying a girlie comic at the newsagents there's a number of collected editions which are well worth picking up.

Rating: 5 Stars (Highly recommended)

Available from: 2000ad.com

Comicscene Annual 2021

 

Other than for the Dandy & Beano the old days of the British annual are long gone. Even these are tamer than than the editions I grew up with. Dennis and Minnie no longer get the well deserved slipper for their misbehaviour and as for the Bash Street Kids the cane has long gone. A sign of the times i suppose!

One of things I used  to like getting at Christmas were annuals. My favourites being Wham! and Smash! though Lion & Valiant were always welcome but somehow relatives always thought a Blue Peter or Look & Learn Book would be such fun in the holidays....

Comicscene is therefore to be congratulated for bringing an adventure style annual into print albeit in limited quantities via Kickstarter which i was more than happy to support. It's still available iI believe and comes in both hardback and paperback editions.

I chose the hardback which has an excellent cover by Charlie Gillespie whilst David Boughton provides the artwork for the paperback edition.  

This is a collection of independent and small press strips from mostly amateur creators though some professionals are involved and the results are as would be expected mixed and some content a matter of individual taste. 

There are some excellent strips including a Shaman Kane story Trouble on Sigma 958, Western Noir by Dave West & Gary Critchley (who have a graphic novel I have backed via Kickstarter on the way), Poker Night by Rich Carrington & Brian Dawson, The Interview by Sarah Millman (of which I would like to see more) and an amusing contribution from Colin Maxwell, Captain Commando.

Other good stories include Dick Turpin by Steve Tanner & Brett Burbidge, Geek Girl by Sam Johnson & Carlos Granda plus a nice little short Father's Day by Michael Powell & Phil Elliott.

A lot of work has gone into the production of this volume and hopefully it will be successful enough to warrant a second edition next year.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (but 5 Stars for effort)

More Info from: Comicscene