The Super Heroes Annual 1983

 

Having finally gotten around to picking up a copy of one of London Edition's comics I thought I'd try out one of their annuals and was pleasantly surprised by this volume from 1982 which cam in excellent condition and surplussing in full colour throughout.

There were just the three of these annuals and this one reprints two issues of Justice League of America's early adventures featuring Adam Strange one of my favourite characters who despite everything always seemed to be a "second tier" hero when it came to fandom as he never sustained his own book.

However over the years Adam Strange has provided a good backdrop for DC's other characters to operate in as the war between Hawkman's home-world and Adam's adopted world of Rann was to prove. Currently Adam Strange has a maxi-series currently being published under DC's Black label imprint and I have the collected hardback on order for later this year.

Adam Strange Puppet of Time sees the big six of the JLA being called upon by Alanna Strange to help them stop a rampage by her out of control husband on Rann. The heroes oblige but in doing so fall victim to one of their earliest opponents Kanjar Ro who seemingly makes the heroes disappear....

Next up is the diminutive Atom, the shrinking superhero I really liked and always thought was underused by DC. In Miniature War of the Bat Knights (from Action Comics # 487) Ray Palmer and his alter ego prevent an invasion by the equally diminutive folk fro an underground cavern.

Last up is a solo Batman story Night of the Stalker a fairly typical story from the the seventies but worth a read all the same. of interest for some there is an all-original Wonder Woman text story.

Kia Wordsmith: The Inbetween (Accent UK)

 

Having previously backed a project by Dave West of Accent UK with his excellent Western Noir trade paperback collection) I was more than interested in his latest Kickstarter appeal which was to publish an adventure of his mystical heroine Kia Wordsmith.

Offered along with this one shot were the first two issues of Kia Wordsmith which are well worth picking up if you haven't already since this comic fits in between!

There is a war going on and  Arrak-al-Tar, the City of Wonders is under threat from both without and within. It's not safe on the streets below so our heroine Kia acts out her fantasies on the rooftops until one day she follows a known felon to the gravity defying castle The Tower of the Wizard Zax-Al.

Finding her way in she finds a creature that looks like a cat with wings but is more than that as she finds as they escape to The Inbetween.

The one-shot is full of full and double page spreads and here Kia is introduced to some mysteries that will resurface later.

The second issue continues her journey and this is left unfinished so one can only hope that #3 is in the pipeline!

The Inbetween also contains an extra story The Escape Of The Jigsaw Girl by Dave West with art from the sadly late Marleen Starksfield Lowe who is commemorated in essay in this issue.

Rating: 5 Stars (For the full three-issue experience)

Wizard 25/3/78 (DC Thomson)

 

In all my years of reading and collecting comics this is one of the titles that I was a ware of but until now had never read a copy of. Originally launched in September 1922 The Wizard was a story paper rather than a comic which lasted until 1963 when it merged with Rover which was a similar story paper. I vaguely remember some Uncle giving me a copy and not being impressed.

The Wizard was eventually relaunched in 1970 and was now a "picture story paper for boys" and part of DC Thomson's line up of titles such as The Victor, Hotspur and The Hornet. Wizard lasted until 1978 when it fell due to falling sales and was merged with The Victor.

This particular issue contained not less than three stories that were set in the Burmese campaign of World War Two. The first was a pretty improbable story The Flying Tripehound in which a lowly spotter aircraft piloted by Captain Barry lancer was able to route the Imperial Japanese Army with impunity. Entertaining but quite tame by today's standards.

The second Burma adventure, The Bang Boys featured a group of criminals now serving in the British army, one of whom was a dab hand with explosives. You can see what was coming...whilst the third slightly more tongue in cheek story with art to match was Mulligan and his Mules which featured an Indian Unit.

Inevitably there were two football stories Cast Iron Bill and The Voice That Ran The Rangers which appealed to most boys but not this one as I have always hated sport. 

There was one desert story Logan of the Lancers set in World War One, 1915 to be precise  and a second featuring the French Foreign Legion, 5 Bullets for Idris the Cruel. Finally mention has to go to a short two page feature The Villainous Dr Klun advertiser as a Simon Gaunt story. A sort of mystery/horror adventure.

Overall this was a highly readable "boys paper" as they called them back then and there are some interesting covers that come between this issue and the run's end which I'll pick up should I ever come across any!

The Incredible Hulk #371 (Marvel/1990)

 

Peter David (w) Dale Keown (a)

Every once in a while I come across a comic with a very inviting cover. This was one of them. The promise of Doctor Strange and Namor tackling the "Dark Hulk" looked and sounded exiting and worth the fiver it cost to purchase.

I was not to be disappointed as the story starts with what appears to be the Hulk crashing out of Doc Strange's house nearly killing a couple in the rubble. Good job for magic that's all I can say. It seems a piece of the "Strange Universe" (see previous issue I guess) has left itself inside the Bruce.

Inside Bruce's  head the first of many confrontations take place as the entity clashes with puny Banner inside his head and he finds himself imprisoned whilst our villain explains his purpose in out Universe. The entity was the "Sorcerer Supreme" of his Universe and decided the best way to protect everyone was to destroy everybody.

Now he would need a new challenge. Bruce calls our villain insane to which the inevitable retort was "An odd criticism considering the source". Meanwhile The good Doctor and Namor plan to confront the entity and send him back to his won universe. Not as easy as it sounds.

In fact the real confrontation needed to save Bruce takes place inside Banner's head and a door is opened in his mind which scares the intruder who goes home. It takes the effort of both Banner and our very own Hulk to close the door before another menace is released. A mystery that will in fact be revealed well over a decade later frantic ones so don't despair.

A great little story but worth picking up the previous issue if you fancy reading this little adventure.

Marvel Essentials #2, Amazing Spider-Man #4 & 2000AD prog 2237

 

It's that time of week that everyone prepares to go out shopping and a quick trip to WHSmiths or the major local newsagent is on the programme for the weekend. With that in mind it's time for a quick look at what new comics are on the shelves.

First up is the second issue of Marvel Essentials one of the two rather weighty ans costly tomes put out every four weeks by Panini. This oversized issue offers what appears to be #1 to #3 of the Empyre saga after the intros with the Avengers and Fantastic Four in the previous issue. It's very quick off the mark as marvel's heroes help the Cotati stop the combined Kree/Skrull armada.

Trouble is they've been played. Big time and the real threat to the Universe (starting with Earth) is in fact the Cotati. Oh boy have our supers made a big error and quickly have to change sides and do what they can to save the day.

Meanwhile on earth everywhere is under attack and the Black Panther is at the thick of it. There is something in Wakanda the Cotati want at whatever cost. Can they be stopped?

The rest of the issue is taken up with a coupe of issues of Venom who has had a punch up ivolvig the non-Peter Parker Spider-Man (formerly of the Ultimate Universe I understand) and is given a history lesson by the "dragon" that's come to Earth. Involves the Celestials, losing, cast into the void blah, blah. Wasn't that interested to be honest. 

Rating: Empyre: 4 Stars, Venom: None, Nil, Nothing.  Issue overall: 3 Stars.

Next up is The Amazing Spider-Man #4 which supposedly came out last week but wasn't on the shelves so only picked it up today. This stars the real Spidey as the hunt continues across Central Park. We learn that the Vulture is a duplicitous bastard (who knew) and that Kraven seeks the Spiders redemption as a warrior.

An action packed comic collecting two issues of the American edition and good value this comic is. The Hunt apparently will finish in the next issue so don't miss out!

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Available from: www.panini.co.uk

Lastly but by no means least is the latest issue of 2000AD which is really delivering a punch for your buck as the Yanks might say as the assassin in Removal Man who ends up deeper in shite every time he tries to fix an error. Mechastopheles: The Hunting Party comes to what I thought was an abrupt end so will be waiting for more in the future and Department K continues to shine as my second favourite feature after old Joe Dredd himself.

There's a new story from Skip Tracer plus Chimpsky's Law couldn't get any more bizarre if it tried, which it does and will continue to do so hopefully. 

Rating: 5 Stars

Available from: 2000ad.com

Sentinel #7 (Sentinel Publishing)

 

The latest issue of the pocket sized Sentinel comic features a fun little story "loosely" based on the creatures created by Ray Harryhausen in those wonderful adventure films Jason and the Argonauts and Clash of the Titans.....with a twist.

Making a delivery to a Planet may seem like an easy day job the fact that your ship almost immediately gets dragged into the netherworld might be a bit of a problem. It certainly is for Doyle and his sidekick with the unpronounceable name Rhlstp who find themselves facing an army of skeletons and other monsters in their journey to recover their transport.

It seems they are on a myth driven version of Westworld and although theoretically they cannot be harmed what happens when the safety is off? 

This is a short but worthwhile read and there seems to be a bit of a "Gronk" in Doyle's amusing companion. 

Rating: 4 Stars

Black Beth and The Devils of Al-Kadesh (Rebellion)

 

Black Beth is not a new character having first appeared in a Scream! Special way back in 1988 and has been revived twice since Rebellion obtained the rights to the vast bulk of IPC/Fleetway's back-catalogue. This one-shot special is a brave attempt by the publishers to continue the expansion of it's comics fare in the UK. 

The one surprise readers will get from this one-shot is the format. This is a US sized comic so hopefully will be suitable for that market as well. The heroine of course is a female warrior who has a blind companion Quido and is set in a fantasy world that has much of the Cimmerian age about it.

The genre is of course "sword & sorcery" and it's easy to imagine a team up with either a certain barbarian or Red Sonja, the latter being more likely given Dynamites more open publishing programme.

In the main story Beth is setting out to destroy an ancient evil Anis-Amulun and finds herself in a city controlled by corrupt Lords and full of cutthroat citizens ready to betray at any moment. Rescued by Seers Estevan a member of The Templars of The Cleansing Dawn they journey to the ocean where the action begins.

However are Beth and Quido actually on the right side of justice in their quest.

There are two other short stories in this comic, one featuring Beth once again and the other a tale of Death Man who seeks to kill Merlin who just happens to be running a bookshop in down town London...

More please Rebellion.

Rating 5 Stars (Recommended)

In stores tomorrow or direct from: 2000ad.com

Doctor Who: Out Of Time 2: The Gates of Hell (Big Finish Audio)

 

The latest arrival from Big Finish is the second in the "Out of Time" series this time featuring David Tennant with Peter Davison as they face off against an old enemy across time in of all places th catacombs under Paris.

Taking a tour of the Paris underworld is on many a tourists agenda but this one see's Peter Davison's Doctor meet up with Tina Drake, a human time agent from the 50th Century. There's a mystery afoot and the answer lies deep below the bustling city.

Of course it isn't long before betrayal leaves the Doctor a prisoner of the Cybermen who are using the tour guide (with a promise of immortality) to trap the Time Lord and allow for their Cyber factory to begin it's work and change history.

Only the timely arrival of the Tenth Doctor allows his Fifth version to escape, a wee bit of an unexplained anomaly but then time travel paradoxes always seem to end up with the improbable. Trouble is when they get back to Paris the Cybermen have taken over. Is the whole world like this?

The adventure is afoot.

I love these Doctor crossovers and this one is quite fun as the Tenth Doctor takes the mick out of the Fifth for spending too much time in the eighties when he refers to walkie talkies. If you haven't picked up the last one please do. That features David Tennant, Tom Baker and the Daleks!

Sadly (and I have pre-ordered this already) the third in this series featuring David Tennant and Colin Baker is not due until July 2022!

Available from: www.bigfinish.com

Rating: 4 Stars

Marvel Select: Loki - Believe the lies and Vote Loki (Panini)

 

With the release of Loki as a TV series it was hardly a surprise that Panini would publish some kind of tie in even so I only came across this excellent volume by chance when i went to pick up the latest issue of The Amazing Spider-Man which actually hadn't arrived in my local WHSmiths.

This is only the second of the latest wave of Marvel Select volumes I've picked up (the other being The Young Avengers) and frankly given this was the last copy on the shelf I might have missed it! I have to say this weighty volume is certainly value for money containing six full US comic books plus excerpts from two others.

The main story is the four-part Vote Loki story in which the God of Lies or is it just "stories" now decides to enter politics and stand for President. Not exactly a new idea for a villain to do so, Lex Luthor was President in the DC universe some years ago but certainly this is an amusing take.

We are also introduced to Nisa Conteras a "former reporter for the Daily Bugle" who is the main protagonist in Loki's scheme and an interesting character who may even turn out to be Marvel's very own Lois Lane, though probably not Loki's Girlfriend....

The story is an amusing take on the world of American politics and given their recent experience partly a satire on how people relate to politicians. Tell them anything but they are all liars, "especially me" says Loki. "I will lie to you". Got my vote!

Seriously you will not be disappointed with this story.

This is followed by a two-parter from Spider-Man #503/504 featuring Loki's daughter, a redone story of how the Avengers got together from #300 plus a Silver Age tale from Journey into Mystery #85.

A volume well worth picking up from your local newsagent or if sold out by Mail Order from panini.co.uk.

Rating: 5 Stars

Band Of Warriors #1 (Signal Comics)

 

The latest comic I have picked up via "Kickstarter" is this tale set in the ancient world, 1450BC to be precise in the Minoan civilisation. Solicited as a:

Merging of actual events with Celtic and Greek mythology, Band Of Warriors is an epic tale of adventure, betrayal that begins by following King Minos at the height of his reign, in the Palace of Knossos, on the island of Crete.

The first issue sets up the tale as a tournament takes place before the sacrifice to the God Poseidon to protect the island from disaster. There is treachery afoot as we soon learn that King Minos is about to be attacked.

In terms of plot and action this is quite a straightforward introduction to the story ahead and we soon discover the main protagonist is none other than the arrogant Agamemon of Greece. It's a nicely paced story by Samuel George London with great art from Federico Avila Corsini.

I look forward to further issues but as an independent comic readers will have to be patient. My copy came with a bookmark, print and metal badge. 

Rating: 4 Stars (Has potential)

Archie 80th Anniversary: Everything's Archie #1 (One-Shot) (Archie Comics)

 

One of the longest running comic franchises is Archie who first appeared in Pep Comics #22 way back in 1941, quickly gaining his own title the following year which ran for 666 issues before being given a modern makeover.

 

Archie adapted over the years to become America's most famous teenager that along with his hetero pals and gals in Riverdale never grew up. The big question for all his fans was would he choose Betty, the girl next door or Veronica the rich girl from a better part of town.

Of course over the years Archie has had other love interests and in including Veronica and in recent times Sabrina the teenage witch and even Katy Keene. 

In recent times his publishers have revamped the franchise in so many ways of which the Horror Line is probably the most memorable. There was a zombie plague in Afterlife with Archie and there was a werewolf in Jughead: The Hunger. Blossom and Jason became potential anti-Christs in Blossoms, whilst Veronica became a vampire in Vamperonica plus of course Sabrina got renewed outings as a witch. 

These comics were all great fun and Archie also went on to meet the dancers of Glee, rock band Kiss and ended up in two mini-series taking on The Predator! A long way from the charming and lovable teenager readers were used to over the years. 

In the UK the only famous Archie is a robot from the Lion Comic.  I remember picking up a couple of the American titles but only really became a fan in later years. Archie's only hit appearance was of course with the Archie's a cartoon band that went to number one in the UK Charts for eight weeks in 1969!

Then came a real breakthrough the gang were re-imagined in a TV series Riverdale that has become a major hit and has now had no less than five seasons. Sadly they will be unable to remain teenagers forever as the actors grow older and are in the process of going to college (not seen the latest season in the UK yet).

Whilst there is no on-going Archie series at present there's plenty of of comics to keep the franchise open for future generations promoting the all-American boy and his friends!

Oh and the TV series helped me answer that !question" all fans ask themselves. It's Veronica for me!

Archie Comics: archiecomics.com

Captain Jack graphic novel removed from schedule

In the latest twist surrounding the bad behaviour of actor John Barrowman on set and despite his apology that his "cancellation" as both an actor and a character continue. Apparently penguin had planned to issue a graphic novel of a solo adventure as Captain Jack but it's been removed from their schedule and all mention of the project taken off their website.

This comes on the heels of the decision by Big Finish to withdraw the Torchwood adventure featuring John Barrowman and David Tennant last month. The company will issue refunds to anyone who pre-ordered it. Whist this was fairly close to the scandal being broken the decision by Penguin to withdraw a comic based on his character that was due later this year seems a bit over the top.

Barrowman's behaviour whilst offensive were more childish and stupid than the predatory actions taken by Noel Clarke and it also appears that the actor had already been disciplined by the BBC.  

Fansided reports:

Unlike with the predatory sexual harassment that Clarke is accused of, much of the cast interviewed saw a big difference between Clarke and Barrowman’s actions. Barrowman characterised what he did as “exuberant behaviour,” noting that, “Since my apology in November 2008, my understanding and behaviour have also changed.”

According to the BBC:

In a statement given to RadioTimes.com, publishers Titan Comics said: “We have no plans to publish this comic collection at this time.”

For those of you who may not have read Alex Kingston's new novel The Ruby's Curse Captain Jack does make a cameo appearance as the Doctor (who does not appear in her book) is "unavailable".

Photo: By Gage Skidmore, CC

This comes at a time when frankly consideration must be given as to when an offence is spent. Recently a cricketer was pulled out for historic racist tweets and the greens were forced to withdraw their candidate in Batley by-election because of homophobic tweets. Both were around ten years ago and in the case of the Green activist he was a teenager in Jamaica which I understand has a very homphobic culture. 

Both these men and indeed Barrowman have apologised so the question is when will these individuals be allowed to continue their careers. After all Leslie Grantham appeared on our screens despite being in prison for murder.

I for one hope that Big Finish do reinstate Torchwood: Absent Friends and we do get to see a comic adventure of Captain Jack.

Judge Dredd Megazine #433 (Rebellion) ... plus a certain prog!

 

The latest issue of Judge Dredd Megazine is now out and should be in stores tomorrow for non-subscribers . This sees the beginning of a new epic Judge Dredd tiem travelling adventure Prject providence. The Judges have sent spies into the near future to steal secrets from their rivals in other cities. Dredd sees psroblems ahead with this idea especially as they are using scientist wanted for crimes by Judges elewhere. 

Meanwhile Devlin Waugh is about to find out out the price of his treachery as The Reckoning continues it's adult orientated adventure. Diamond Dogs & The Returners continue their story-line and The final part of Deliverance sees a rebellion against the Dark Judges in this final chapter.

There's also essays on the forthcoming Summer Specials Black Beth from Scream which is out next week and an introduction to the connected story that will be the 2000AD Sci-Fi Special in July.

Of particular interest this month is the mini-graphic novel bagged with the Meg which features what I assume is the first Mechastopheles adventure which will help those of us not familiar with the back story in the current Prog. It all makes sense now. Can't wait for the next instalment!

Also out is the latest issue of 2000AD which also features a new Judge Dredd epic Removal Man about an assassin for hire. There's also further chapters of the entertaining Department K which sees the Judges "help" out in a neighbouring dimension and the amusing Chimpsky's Law.

The latest instalment of Mechastopheles is joined by the final and shocking end to Feral and Foe. Will we see them again?

Available from: shop.2000ad.com

DC Comics: Generations (DC/Hardback)

 

For those of you who like me are old enough to remember the arrival of a giant wall of white nothingness in Crisis On Infinite Earth #1 then the sight of yet another this time referred to as "the goneness" as Kamandi is attacked by sentient bats in the far flung future will be just as shocking.

This adventure really does cross the generations of DC's Comics output and shows their modern editorial decision to decide that everything that ever was has it's place unless the villain in this story succeeds in which case the DC Universes (now plural but one) will all die.

The most unlikely of heroes are brought together by Kamandi under the guidance of a much changed Skeets as the original late thirties Batman is teamed with the pre-crisis Superboy from the era of the Legion of Super-Heroes before Bendis wrecked them along with the everyone's favourite Tamarian in glorious orange as she should be, Dr Light, the ever arrogant Sinestro from before he fell and erm... Steel.

This destruction of time takes the reader across so many different realms fro the "Silver Age" Rann, through the world of OMAC and Brother Eye, Kamandi's grandfather* to Krypton and beyond. Uisng different artists to illustrate different segments really helps bring home the scope of this story collected from Detective Comics #1027, Generations Shattered #1 and Generations Forged #1.

Even the villains get a turn in the fight to save time itself as the heroes fight for the survival of all that has been and will be plus a secret of the DC Universe is revealed.

This single volume collection was an exiting and entertaining read that kept this fanboy gripped from beginning to end. A one sitting adventure. 

Rating: 5 Stars Plus (Highly Recommended)

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*I look forward to the day DC finally decide to reveal how the world of Electric City and OMAC went into a great disaster and how it recovered in and allowed the creation of the Legion. Maybe that mystery may never be resolved? Who knows.