School Fun #20 (IPC/1984)

 

This was one of those comics that came along and probably seemed like a goof idea at the time but quickly disappeared after a short run for pretty obvious reasons. Launched on October 15th 1983 School Fun was devoted to the one subject that of school based humour.

Not having ever read a copy I picked one up out of interest whilst pottering around the recent London Comics Mart. Overall the individual strips were of a reasonable standard and I was particularly bemused by Coronation Street School. That alone made the whole issue worth reading.

Here's a sample image from School Fun #13 (from lewstringer.blogspot.com)

There was also a non-humour strip based on Grange Hill which stood out from the rest of the fare which included School Belle, Softy Sir, B.Ware Caretaker and Teachers United. One strip that had potential (but the particular episode in this issue did not work well) was E.T.T Extra Terrestrial Teacher. Pity that being a fan of Third Rock From The Sun that could have been a winner.

However as a more or less one trick pony School Fun lasted just 33 issues until 1984 when it was merged with the long running Buster.

New Comics: Commando & 2000AD Regened Edition and Archie & Friends Superheroes #1

 

There's a few new comics out this week and I chose to review Panini's new Marvel Essentials #1 separately yesterday. Sadly my local WHSmith's did not have the latest issue of Shift, though had stocked the previous one so I will check again next week and then have to order it by post if it's still not on the shelves.

I don't normally buy Commando comics, just once in a while these days but I just couldn't resist the one called Thor's Hammer which is about Captain Grant Thor not the Marvel demi-god leading his men against a panzer attack with his M18 Hellcats!

There was also a lone copy of another Commando title Heroes Are Human set in the German invasion of France and is part of the "Silver Collection" a reprint of a 1983 story. 

Two other issues are available but were sold out at my WHSmith shop.

Rating: 3 Stars for both Commando Comics

Commando Comics are available from: www.commandocomics.com

Comic of the week has to be 2000AD prog 2233 a "Regened" edition aimed at all-ages readers which given the comic does have a lot of Teen + content is a good idea and helps prepare new readers for the future as well as entertaining old gits like me!

There are five very good self contained stories in this issue Cadet Dredd: Lawbreaker sees Joe break the law.....a tragedy unfolds for the future. There's an amusing Future Shocks as mankind sends a robot into the Solar System to search for life. Seems social media makes us look just savage....

Judge Anderson faces off an alien invasion and Pandora gets more than she bargains for when she tries nicking some stuffed animals. meanwhile Department K continue their multidimensional journey from the last Regened issue.

Did I mention Ant & Dec appear as perps in this issue! Worth picking up if you don't subscribe.

Rating: 5 Stars

Subscriptions available from: 2000AD.com

Finally just the one American comic this week. I have a soft spot for Archie comics and have a couple of comics featuring the Riverdale friends as superheroes from way back. What with Archie attempting to revamp it's Superhero-line (despite the worst attempts of Rob Liefeld) with a mini-series starting wit The Shield I couldn't resist this old style comic.

Rating: 3 Stars 

Marvel Essentials #1 (Panini) (Out Now)

 

The last of the current crop of Marvel UK tittles published by Panini appeared in stores today.  It comes as a square bound 100 page plus oversized format just like it's sister X-Men title and contains the equivalent of four US comics for the price of £7.99.

The comic is clearly sub-titled Avengers/Fantastic Four Empyre and brigs us the opening of a amssive cosmic was involving the Kree, Skrulls Coati and Earth's heroes and  the action begins on the blue area of the moon former home of the now apparently dead Watcher Uatu.

For those like me who have not been keeping u with what has been going on in the Marvel Universe there is a back explanation of sorts as we head into the story. A huge fleet is heading towrs the moon to exterminate the Coati and their garden. The Avengers will stand with them.

Mean while the Fantastic Four and their kids are stuck on a planet having run ot of gas, pick u a tow and end up in a casino and arena run by one of the Elders of the Universe.

Both the Avengers and Fantastic Four are reprints of their respective Empyre #0 issues.

What did surprise me about this comic was the amount of space given to Venom a character I've never really cared about and had hoped would just be a back-up feature but instead takes up half the comic with the first two issues of his 2018 series.

I'm not all familiar with Venom but there is enough background information in the story to allow the casual reader to catch up. It's sort of an interesting story but not one I would have picked up by choice if I am honest. The "God" of the symbiotes is coming so we're told. Can't wait....

I'll be keeping up with all three of Panini's Marvel comics for now but do hope there is more Empyre and less Venom in future issues.

Rating: 3 Stars 

Havoc #6 (Marvel UK/1991)

 

Every so often I come a cross a comic that I have not heard of especially from the nineties when I had given up on the hobby. One of these is Havoc a short lived Marvel UK title that ran for just 9 weekly issues from July to September in 1991.

Havoc contained five strips and was supposedly aimed at an older audience. The characters featured were Deathlok, Robocop, Ghost Rider , Starslammers and Conan the Barbarian. Of these I have to say the Conan reprint from the monthly all-ages version seemed somewhat out of place with the more gritty stylised content of the other stories.

 

Given Havoc was aimed at older readers I'm surprised they didn't use Savage Sword of Conan stories albeit these were originally in black & white whilst Havoc was full colour but such speculation is pointless given this was all so long ago and the comic failed after just nine issues.

I'm not sure running Deathlok and Robocop inthe same title was a good idea given how similar the characters were only the settings differed. Ghost Rider came as surprise given Johnny Blaze was nowhere to be seen and the role had been taken over by Danny Ketch who I understand was the protagonist for most of the decade.

Not one of Marvel's more memorable forays into the UK market-place.  

Whoopee and Cheeky (IPC/1981)

 

By the time comics like Whoopee and Cheeky had come along I had long passed on this sort of humour comic though still retained fond memories of the Beano, Wham! and Smash! amongst others. It's only in later life I even became aware of either comic and this is only the second copy I've ever read. The reason I picked this up was a reference to a character from Cheeky who probably wouldn't be acceptable these days.

This was one of a couple of copies I found at the recent London Comics Mart so I thought I'd give it a try along with another humour title that I was unfamiliar with and will review at a later date. I have to say I rather liked it and if and when the opportunity arises to pick up copies of either comic I will certainly do so.

Whoopee was a weekly humour title launched by IPC in 1974 (the year I left school) and lasted for some 572 issues plus Summer Specials and Annuals until it's demise in 1985 when it was merged with the more familiar Whizzer & Chips. During it's lifetime Whoppee absorbed three other IPC titles Shiver & Shake, Cheeky and Wow.

The front page feature during this period was Smiler typical fare for this kind of title plus Sweeny Toddler. Toy Boy Stage School, Lolly Pop and the character I wanted to actually see Mustapha Million. The content is pretty tame childish humour with no connotations  about race other than the name assuming all Arabs were rich I suppose. Wouldn't be published today though. 

Funnily enough a similar strip immediately followed The Bumpkin Billionaires. I was also amused to see the ever popular Frankie Stein also appear in these pages!

I must admit as I enter my second or third childhood (depending on which of my ex-missus) you talk to I rather liked this comic!

New British comics: The Amazing Spider-Man #3, Judge Dredd Megazine #432 & 2000AD Prog 2232

 

There's quite a few new comics in WHSmith and all good Newsagents as they say. Panini continue their relaunch of their Marvel editions with the latest issue of The Amazing Spider-Man which continues the Hunted story line with parts five, six and seven from the US editions of Spidey's comic #19 & #20.

This adventure is obviously going to be of some length as it continues into at least the next issue and probably beyond. I'm quite enjoying a return to Peter Parker's world and am happy to recommend this title.

Also out this week is the latest issue of Judge Dredd Megazine which comes poly-bagged with another section of the 2000AD Encyclopedia.The Meg contains all the normal features including a new story for The Returners. Devlin Waugh's amusing but very "adult" tale continues.

There is a very well researched feature on the history of Valiant one of my favourite British comics of all-time. Rebellion are reprinting some of the Valiant's content in their Treasury of British Comics range with Volume One of The Steel Claw and hopefully they will get around to doing Kelly's Eye and The House of Dolman in the not too distant future.

Also available when you do the weekly shop is the latest 2000AD prog which brings Thistlebone, the current Dredd story-line and the rather entertaining Intestinauts all come to an end and there is a short Terror Tales: Dry Spell which frankly I thought was just a bit of space filler. Only Feral & Foe will continue into the next but one issue.

Next week 2000AD will be an oversized "Regened" issue for "younger readers.

Also on the shelves are new Commando pocket library books, X-Men #2 (see review below this post) and a variety of Panini's Marvel Specials. I had hoped to pick up the new Shift! and The Dandy Summer Special but these were not available in my local Shop.

Happy Reading.

DC Festival of heroes: The Asian Superhero Celebration (DC Comics)

Both DC and Marvel have produced specials aimed at the Gay Rights Movement both of which highlighted their gay characters in comics. DC is also reviving the all-black Milestone line of heroes as an attempt to give black characters a greater presence in the market place.

I'm not familiar with Milestone which was around in the nineties when I dropped out of the hobby for most of the decade. I did get the New 52 release of Static but I didn't find it interesting enough to be honest. DC also have Black Lightning  and Mr Terrific but they are really only second tier characters 

Marvel on the other hand has Black Panther who is very much a first level hero. Never liked Power Man/Luke Cage much. Black heroes are very much in need of development.  DC currently has two TV shows with Black Lightning  and now Batwoman has changed fro gay to Black. Not seen either show. Got bored with the latter during it's first season.

Meanwhile there is the question of anti-Asian racism in the USA which is mentioned in the introduction and epilogues to this comic. In US terms this mostly refers to the Korean, Chinese and Japanese communities who face racism and discrimination that has been overshadowed by the rise of the BLM. There have been problems between the two groups which haven't helped the situation.

It's not often I delve into politics with on my comics blog (I have Howie's Corner 2 for that) but this is par of an effort by DC to confront the racism against the Asian community and are to be commended for that.

There are quite a few characters featured herein starting with my personal favourite Cassandra Cain as Batgirl. I collected her series and the crossover with Dark Horse's Ghost. I also rather enjoyed Grace Choi's story as a date with her girlfriends father (who happens to be Black Lighting) turns awry not just because dad isn't happy with Grace but dinner gets interrupted by a super-villain attack.

Whilst I know some of the characters others are new in the form of  Thai ham as a Green Lantern (How many does Earth have now?) Cheshire Cat (a protege of Catwoman as far as I made out) a Chinese Super-Man (no idea) and Swamp Thing is now an Indian boy called Levi Kamei. When did that happen? 

Oh and before I forget this special introduces The Monkey prince at the very end. This was thenly story I didn't like and think DC should think again on this dreadful new boy.  Loses points because of that.

Still this book is for worthy cause and hopefully will help promote the diversity needed in comic books

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Would have got 5 if not for the last story) Recommended though!

The London Comics Fair is back!

Some good news as the country comes out of lock-down that the London Comics Fair is back! I haven't attended one in a long time so am not going to miss this opportunity.

If you see a confused elderly gentleman dressed in black with a rollator looking lost that'll be me! Do say hi!

Marvel Universe: X-Men #2 (Panini) plus DC: Batman #1 (Panini) Out Now!

 

When I saw the latest issue of the revived X-Men series in Sainsbury's I hesitated before picking it up as the first issue was OK but didn't exactly draw me in but I am gad I decide to do so as the second issue does help me the see the much changed world of Marvel's Mutants a little more clearly.

More to the point the actual story started to make a bit more sense as well. My remaining problem is requiring an "idiots guide" to the newer mutants with whom I remain unfamiliar. However I have to say Panini are doing a very good job with this comic and their other titles following the hiatus caused by the Pandemic.

This is may seem an expensive comic at £7.50 a pop but since it contains the content of four American editions which would retail at £3.60 without a discount there is a major saving. What's more the story is from two different X-Men titles and published in the right order.

As for the story this remains a major science fiction epic. It's a very complex tale that spans from the present to what I would surmise are possible futures. Nothing is ever set in the Marvel Universe which neatly brings me to my point which is that like the films the X-Men seem to exist outside the mainstream despite reference to SHIELD, AIM or HYDRA.

The X-Men does come over as detached from the MU something I haven't seen elsewhere except perhaps in Kirby's Eternals. Personally I was opposed to the integration of the Celestials into Marvel continuity however that did work out in the end.

In this issue we see the origin of the Professor X/Magneto alliance and a mission to the Sun to stop a potential menace from being treated but is this a suicide mission from which none will return? Do pick up a copy!

Also on the shelves was the first issue of the new Batman comic from Panini as Titan has given up on the DC franchise which is a pity. Like The Amazing Spider-Man this is a much more affordable title at just £2.99 for the equivalent of two US comics.

The only reason I haven't picked it up is that one of the story lines is Batman: Universe which I recently purchased in a collected hardback edition. When that's finished I'll probably try it providing they don't use another story I already have. However if you've not read that grab a copy It's a great story!

Ratings: X-Men - 4 Stars. 

Batman: (Unrated due to non purchase)

Comics Unlimited #6 (Out Now)

 

The latest issue of the British journal Comics Unlimited has just been published and contains a huge variety of articles covering both the American and British markets.  It's good to see this magazine thriving at a time when the British comics industry is going through a bit of a revival. In addition to the comics  like 2000AD , Judge Dredd Megazine and Commando these have been joined by Shift and Panini's Marvel UK titles and a Batman one from DC.

The Independent scene is likewise healthy and growing with the likes of The 77, Blazer, Sentinel and Plainer Jane. There's more out there so keep an eye out for this ever growing range.

The huge range of features starts with a look at the bizarre content of Lois Lane Superman's Girlfriend #106 where she turns black. I'm not sure how this would be received these days. It may be welcomed or condemned. Frankly I've no idea how the protest community worldview this but to my generation it was an interesting story. I'll certainly pick up a copy if I see one.

There's an interview with Jim Zub the current writer on Marvel's Conan series. I'm a big fan of the Cimmerian but no longer collect this title. Don Lawrence's work on The Trigan Empire, Eric The Viking and more. His art is superb and The Trigan Empire probably one of the greatest British comic strips of all time is currently being reprinted by Rebellion as part of their Treasury of British Comics series.

The ever popular Steel Claw from the Valiant comic gets a feature. Again this is now being reprinted though I have the first stories in a volume published by Titan some years back but will catch up with Rebellions second volume when released some time in the future.

One of the more obscure comics covered is Strangehaven of which I did pick up one collected volume. Like so many comics it was never finished but the author Steve Lanning says the creator plans to return with part four. Good luck with that. I'm sure hardcore fans will like that but for me far too late I'm afraid.

Other features switch between Marvel and DC as the "camp" Batman era get's examined as does the work of Steve Gerber. The history of the defender continues but of real interest to me was the article The Nightmare Of Non-Distribution which effected so many of us though moving to London where there were comic shops in the late seventies helped me avoid the problem.

There's plenty more to read in this bumper 100 page journal including articles on comics and characters I am not familiar with like Lady Satan, which I have just ordered through the publisher and will review when published! It's important that such material is covered as our hobby has seen so many comics produced over the years and even old gits like me haven't been able to keep up with it all.

Rating: 5 Stars (Highly Recommended)

Available from Amazon along with all back issues and the Golden age special.

The 77 #5 (Out Now!)

The latest issue of the British comics anthology The 77 arrived on Saturday and frankly was a damned good read. Given this comic is produced by non-professionals the standard of the latest issue has really improved. I've always been impressed by the effort put into this project and have always ignored any criticisms I might make of a mainstream publisher because I have high hopes for The 77 which seem to have finally been fulfilled!

With a terrific wrap-around variant cover the content also includes three new stories, Extinction 2040 which seems to be a take on an Apocalypse caused by identity conflict. I don't really want to  go into politics but the demise of the West through this kind of crap seems so real. Regardless of all that this story by Paul Goodenough has excellent art from Ian Stopforth. I'm intrigued as to where this will lead!

In the tradition of all those short mystery/sci-fi tales we used to read in comics like Strange Adventures or Mystery In Space comes I know the Secret of the Alien. Great stuff. Reminded me of this book I purchased years ago that tried to debunk all these weird and wonderful unexplained things that go on in this world. It was fine until I got to Chapter 7 & and it started with the words "When I was kidnapped by aliens...." Thrown straight into the recycling bin never to be seen again.

The final new feature is Red by Day, Black By Night which tells the tale of an alternate Britain ruling an Empire as the result of a portal. There be Dwarfs and other creatures in this promising story by Jo Heely and Rupert Lewis Jones.

The rest of the comic continues the existing features. Sadly this is the last part of Penny Pentagram who deserves a regular comic of her own! Hopefully Penny will return. Martian Law and Trackless Depths also comes to an end, but most intriguing is that The Cell has finally taken off and has garnered my full attention at last.

Rating 5 Stars (Highly Recommended)

Website: the77comic.bigcartel.com

Torchwood: Absent Friends cancelled by Big Finish

 

It's not often I order releases from the Torchwood range of Doctor Who universe related stories but opted to do so with Absent Friends as it featured both David Tennant and John Barrowman so promised to be more interesting than the rest of the range. However this morning I received an e-mail from Big Finish to say the release had been cancelled and I needed to apply for a refund for my pre-order.

No explanation was given though the recent reports in the media about John Barrowman's behaviour were obviously the cause. The Radio Times says:

Doctor Who audio producers Big Finish have announced they will not be moving forward with the release of the story Torchwood: Absent Friends.

Originally set for release this month, the story would have reunited John Barrowman’s Captain Jack Harkness with David Tennant’s Tenth Doctor.

In a statement, Big Finish said: “Big Finish has taken the decision to remove Torchwood: Absent Friends from the Monthly Range release schedule and has no plans to publish this title at this time.”

The news comes following allegations of Barrowman having exposed himself on the Doctor Who set during his time on the BBC sci-fi series – though Big Finish did not directly state that this was the reason for the removal.

Barrowman's behaviour was inappropriate and in most workplaces woud have led to an immediate dismissal. As it was the BBC have seemingly given him a warning and the actor has issued an apology.

This case came to light after multiple and much more serious allegations about Noel Clarke another Doctor Who star. Clarke appeared in a whole tranche of episodes which puts the possibility of there being repeated in question which is a shame for fans and the other actors. I do not know at the time of writing whether Clarke will be prosecuted.

Whether John Barrowman's exclusion will be permanent given the less serious but not excusable nature of his actions remain to be seen. 

Monsters - Barry Windsor Smith (Jonathan Cape/Hardback £25)

 

No matter what your parents tell you there really are monsters in the world though it's unlikely (but not impossible they're hiding in your wardrobe but they are in every town, every city and every country has them. They're not like the Frankenstein, the Wolf-Man or Dracula. In fact they don't even remotley look like the Hulk or the abomination of comics fame.

The real monsters in this world are human.

A lesson that young homeless Bobby Bailey is about to find out as he walks into an army recruiting centre in 1964. The military have a use for him but it's not going to turn  the boy into Captain America. Super-soldier experiments don't usually end well.

This story is a tour de-force of the human condition and how men are used and corrupted. A tale of abuse and betrayal. The army will end up chasing the wrong monster. The real ones are very human indeed.

This graphic novel is an intensive read with top notch black and white pen and ink linework across it's 360 pages. I read this over a three day period and it's worth taking one's time to delve into the world that the author creates. It brought a tear to my eye. Not many comics have ever done that.

Rating: 5 Stars Plus (Highly Recommended)

Doctor Who: The Lost Stories: Return Of The Cybermen (Big Finish/Audio)

 

This CD was actually released in March but I was not only late in ordering a copy but had a note from Big Finish that they were out of stock but it would follow. True to their word it finally arrived last week and I have just finished listening to this great new addition to my collection.

After so many stories featuring the Daleks in recent months it was a refreshing change to see the return of the Doctor's either long term enemies the Cybermen. Some of my friends and fellow fans find these former human hybrids more frightening than the Daleks but even as a kid it was only the Daleks that really scared me!

Nevertheless these emotionless creatures do as usual present a real threat to humanity and as the Doctor (played by Tom Baker) with his companions Sarah Jane Smith and Harry Sullivan return to the space station Nerva eventually discover. There is a mysterious plague that has killed off most of the crew and left the station in quarantine.

as usual the Doctor and his companions face death at the hands of the Captain in a disposal room (think Star Wars) but are saved at the last minute. After being released Sarah Jane is bitten and contracts the plague. Who or what is behind this plague.

The Cybermen of course! (It's in the title......)

Rating 5 Stars (Recommended)

Available from: www.bigfinish.com

Hellblazer: Rise & Fall (Hardcover Edition) (DC Black Label)

 

Born in death and born of guilt John Constantine has turned into a right bastard over the years and he was certainly no angel in his youth as his eleven year old antics come back to haunt him. In trying to impress his rich mate and a pretty girl (though still not old enough to understand why he needs to do the latter) young Constantine tries to cast a spell in the pouring rain..

However far from summoning a demon only disaster awaits as a flash flood nearly kills all of them though only his mate Billy does not survive. He's blamed for that loss and forbidden to see fair Aisha again. Not that that stops them. Forbidden fruit and all that.

Now there's people with wings falling from the sky and Aisha, well she's a cop and oddly for a Brit carries a gun. Maybe someone should have a word with the writer. It's a flaw in the plot that also haunts her sidekick Gary who is haunted by a shooting.

That aside the story itself is a real treat as the Devil himself turns up and isn't very happy with John ( when is he ever) but is is usual charming evil little self who has come to get help in tracking down the demon that Constantine did unknowingly release all those years ago.

Seems that Despondeo a demon that thrived on suffering tried to overthrow Morningstar some time ago and was imprisoned for his sins. The irony. Trouble is the spell of summoning released him and to rub salt into the would ambushed the Devil and stole his wings.

Hence people are falling from the sky. The mystery requires solving and so a magician, a cop and the Devil walk into a bar and begin a story betrayal, greed and redemption (for some) in a shocking story that sees Constantine...well you'll see.

Good, if slightly flawed story from Tom Taylor with excellent oversized art from Darick Robertson (The Boys) and out now.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Recommended)

Howie's Top Ten British Comics #1 SMASH! (Power Comics/IPC)

 

After a lot of thought and soul searching (good grief this is only a comic before I forget) I chose Smash! as my favourite comic rather than the first of the line Wham! because it was frankly the better and more varied title that went through so many transformations it eventually ended up almost but not quite a "normal" "boys paper"!

Like it's sister title Wham! this was a comic I read from the beginning dipping in and out over later years but becoming enamoured with it's second leaf of life in the more mainstream format. I used to rush out to to try and get Smash! and Wham! most weeks at the very start but as there was so much else I liked reading frequency did drop off though it's relaunch did get me back to the newsagents for a while.

Smash! was launched in February 1966 and was published by Odhams whose line became known as "Power Comics" and emulated Marvel in a very British way since humour dominated these comics with super-hero fare being mostly American fare. Smash! is the only comic I recall that had both DC and Marvel stories in it's pages as the Batman newspaper strip (which occasionally featured Superman and others) along with The Hulk.

There were also The Swots & The Blots an anarchic group of schoolboys loosely based on the Bash Street Kids format, The Man From B.U.N.G.L.E., Bad Penny (think Minnie the Minx), The Nervs and Percy's Pets.

Sadly Odhams line of comics which once expanded to 5 titles started imploding. Smash! absorbed Pow! which had already absorbed Wham! Fantastic took over Terrific and eventually Smash! absorbed Fantastic! The end of the line was apparent. Even the famous Eagle faced cancellation.

The titles were taken over by IPC who merged The Eagle with Lion and revamped Smash! into a comic bereft of most of it's anarchic humour and ended the Marvel reprints. This however gave rise to some great strips. Janus Stark, Bunsen's Burner, Cursitor Doom and Master of the Marsh amongst others. All fondly remembered and the very popular Janus Stark survived the comic's demise in the pages of Valiant.

Sadly all good things come to an end and Smash! after 247 issues merged with the long running Valiant in 1971. This comic is worth collecting as are it's annuals and if you can get them the summer specials. In my view one of the best, if not the best comic ever to appear on British newsstands!