Doorman « Cyberspace Comics

January 23, 2012

One-Shot At Greatness #95 Thor: Wolves of the North

Filed under: One-Shot At Greatness — Doorman @ 9:48 am

Because publishers want you to buy their product every month, comics are typically serial in nature. However, occasionally (and more often nowadays than ever before) publishers launch a comic title that is only meant to last for one issue. While ongoing series often have multiple chances to hook in new readers, the comics highlighted in this ongoing investigations only had One-Shot At Greatness!

Thor: Wolves of the North #1 Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Date: February 2011
Cover Price: $3.99
Writer: Mike Carey
Artist: Mike Perkins

*Warning! Plot Spoilers Below*

Hela has formed an alliance with Skald (one of the greater demon kings) in a bid to conquer Asgard. Their forces are marching across the Earth on their journey to the borders of Asgard, wreaking havok. Thor has just been dispatched to attack the army’s rear guard, and has landed in Redhangir – where the viking leader Thorvald has just been slain in battle by Skald, leaving his daughter Einar in charge. She provides Thor with a lock of her hair to serve as his anchor to Midgard.

When Hela discovers Thor’s presence, she sends some of her forces to kill Einar, which would sever his link to Earth. But, she surprises the Norse Queen of Hel by killing her captors, giving Thor plenty of time to defeat Skald and the rest of the invading troops.

Mike Carey has crafted a neat story that’s part of Thor’s long, storied ancient history. It pre-dates his return to Earth in Marvel’s Silver Age, which allows it to play to the strengths of being a barbarian/fantasy/ancient myth story. Plenty of savage battles to be had here with great artwork by Mike Perkins – and not one super hero, in sight. This is the type of story that fits the character well and I wouldn’t mind reading more!

On Ebay: Thor | Mike Carey
On AtomicAvenue: Thor

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January 20, 2012

Guide to Marvel Comics Presents #45

Filed under: Guide to Marvel Comics Presents — Doorman @ 11:06 am

Marvel Comics Presents launched in 1988 as an ad-free anthology showcasing four eight-page features, stuffed inside a wrap-around cover. This guide will tell you everything you wanted to know about the series – and more!

Cover Date: 1990 | Cover Price: $1.25 | Cover Artist: Kevin O’Neill

Wolverine in “Black Shadow, White Shadow” part 8
written by Marv Wolfman
art by John Buscema

Soon after Black Shadow emerged from the obese native’s chest (and subsequently began attacking Wolverine), the White Shadow also entered the temple through the same portal as his polar opposite. White Shadow explains that both creatures are manifestations of the obese mutant – forever engaged in a conflict that must end with the other’s death.

Wonder Man in “Stardust Miseries” conclusion
written by Michael Higgins
art by Javier Saltares

As the Enchantress‘ machine begins to suck the life energies out of the Wasp, Hank Pym, Thor, Iron Man and Captain America, it transfers their power to Wonder Man. But, his newfound strength creates an awareness that breaks the Enchantress’ spell over him. Wielding Mjolnir (the hammer of Thor!), he defeats the villainness and frees his fellow Avengers before they are completely drained!

Hulk in “the Main Event“
written by Peter David
art by Herb Trimpe

The Incredible Hulk challenges Hulk Hogan – the winner gets to keep the name “Hulk”!

Shooting Star in “Bang Bang, Shoot Shoot“
written by Robert Campanella
art by Jose Delbo

At a county fair in Texas, a carnival sharp shooter named Black Billy challenges Shooting Star (of the Rangers, Texas’ very own super-hero team) to a shoot out. But, when she bests him, he doesn’t take it too well – and he kidnaps a bus full of little girls to lure her into a trap. Now, Shooting Star will have to summon up her sharp-shooting skills to take out Billy’s gang and free the children.

After a number of mediocre issues, this one reminds me of the fun this series can be. In a quick story by Peter David, the Incredible Hulk takes on Hulk Hogan! I’m sure this was the fodder for fan fiction and speculation for years – but it’s fun to see it acknowledged in continuity. After all, the Incredible Hulk debuted in 1963 – Hulk Hogan in 1977. So, if it’s a question of “Who Came First?” then the Green Goliath takes the cake. This issue answers the question: “Who’s the strongest?” And, as if that wasn’t neat enough – Wonder Man wields the hammer of Thor in this issue. A feat that has not been accomplished by most of Marvel’s characters (aside from Captain America and a few others).

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January 19, 2012

Famous Fanmail #94 Chuck Dixon

Filed under: Famous Fanmail — Doorman @ 1:11 pm

You may not be surprised to learn that most people in the comic business grew up reading comic books. However, you might be interested in knowing what they were reading. Here’s a look at “Famous Fanmail”!

Chuck Dixon‘s footprint on the world of comics is Hulk-sized. He’s had extensive runs on Batman, Punisher, Alien Legion, and Airboy. He’s also had his hands in lots of other titles including playing a significant role in the development of the Crossgen Universe. He got a letter printed in Fantastic Four #131 (cover date – February 1973). In the letter, he reveals that he was about to quit reading Marvel Comics but, Fantastic Four #127 convinced him otherwise.

Fantastic Four letters page with Chuck Dixon

On Ebay: Fantastic Four | Chuck Dixon
On AtomicAvenue: Fantastic Four

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January 18, 2012

Connecting Covers #13 Predator Cold War

Filed under: Connecting Covers — Doorman @ 11:23 am

A fun aspect of comic books is that sometimes their covers combine to make an even larger image. Here’s a look at some connecting covers.

United States and Soviet forces are united against a common threat in this four issue mini series written by Mark Verheiden. All four covers to Predator: Cold War combine nicely to create one image illustrating the Predator’s fighting prowess. You can click on the picture below to enlarge it.

On Ebay: Predator
On AtomicAvenue: Predator

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January 17, 2012

Comic Book Cover Swipes Exposed #94 A-Next

Filed under: Swiped: Comic Book Cover Swipes Exposed! — Doorman @ 12:21 pm

After looking at hundreds of comic book covers, it becomes quickly apparent that not every cover is 100% original. Whether done intentionally or even underhandedly, there’s something about uncovering these “swipes” that adds a new element of fun to reading and collecting comics.

What If? vol. II #105 is most famous for debuting Spider-Girl but, it was also the first appearance of A-Next. When Spider-Girl got her own ongoing series in 1998, A-Next got theirs as well! This next generation of Avengers included Bluestreak, J2 (the Juggernaut’s son), Jubilee, Mainframe, Speedball, Stinger (Ant-Man II’s daughter), and Thunderstrike II (Thunderstrike’s son). The cover to the final issue of the series paid homage to the first one.

A-Next #1
October 1998
Ron Frenz

A-Next #12
September 1999
Ron Frenz

On Ebay: Avengers | A-Next
On AtomicAvenue: Avengers | A-Next

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January 16, 2012

One-Shot At Greatness #94 Curse of the Mutants: Storm & Gambit

Filed under: One-Shot At Greatness — Doorman @ 11:32 am

X-Men: Curse of the Mutants - Storm & Gambit #1 Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Date: October 2010
Cover Price: $3.99
Writer: Chuck Kim
Artist: Chris Bachalo

*Warning! Plot Spoilers Below*

Once Xarus (Dracula’s son) became the new lord of the vampires, he declared war on San Francisco (the new home of the X-Men). The vampires are armed with new technology that allows them to walk in daylight so the X-Men will need their own secret weapon to take Xarus down … Dracula, himself. The X-Men dispatch Gambit and Storm to “Vampire Island” to figure out how to shut down its protective shield so they can return with Dracula’s body.

After the two former thieves have snuck onto the island, they meet with Janus, the firstborn son of Dracula. He wants to see his father reinstated as the lord of the vampires, and joins forces with Storm and Gambit, who share similar goals. As Janus and Gambit battle through Xarus’ vampiric forces, Storm manages to shut down the island’s protective field – allowing the other X-Men (Emma Fost, Colossus, Northstar, Angel, Psylocke, Wolverine and more!) to teleport in. They make short work of the vampires and transport Dracula’s headless body back home with them.

Chris Bachalo’s art style is very neat to explore but, at times it does get a bit sloppy (most noticeably in the page after the X-Men ‘port in). Kim’s script plays heavily on Storm’s past with Dracula, which is a nice treat for long-time fans like me, who remember those old issues. Even though Gambit is the guest-lead in this story and shares a lot of the action, the main characterization follows Storm as she is made to take an innocent life in order to shut down the vampires’ field of protection. It’s not something she does lightly and Gambit notes that the important part was her hesitation. Overall, it was a neat mutants vs vampire story that advanced the Curse of the Mutants storyline ever so slightly as the X-Men gained posession of Dracula’s body … but not his head …. not yet.

On Ebay: Curse of the Mutants | Chris Bachalo
On AtomicAvenue: X-Men | Gambit | Storm

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January 13, 2012

Guide to Marvel Comics Presents #44

Filed under: Guide to Marvel Comics Presents — Doorman @ 10:55 am

Cover Date: 1990 | Cover Price: $1.25 | Cover Artist: Bryan Hitch

Wolverine in “Black Shadow, White Shadow” part 7
written by Marv Wolfman
art by John Buscema

Wolverine enters the temple and finds his friends (Mai & Ch’un) chained up. White Shadow appears and recommends that Wolverine runs away – he can’t stop Black Shadow forever, after all. But, the X-Man doesn’t heed the warning and he explores the temple further. He discovers a morbidly obese native sitting on a throne, near motionless. Moments later, a portal opens in his chest and Black Shadow emerges to attack Wolverine.

Wonder Man in “Stardust Miseries” part 7
written by Michael Higgins
art by Javier Saltares

At Avengers Mansion, Captain America and Thor discover a badly beaten Beast. Meanwhile, the Enchantress has hooked up Ant-Man, the Wasp and Iron Man to her assimilation machine. She intends to drain them of their life forces and imbue them within Wonder Man, enhancing his powers to all-new levels! Cap and Thor attempt to come to the rescue but, they’re bested by Wonder Man and the Enchantress – and then hooked into the machine, as well!

Dr. Strange in “Trashed“
written by Roy Thomas
art by Dave Simons

When Doctor Strange is called to a neighboring dimension by his amulet, his apprentice, Rintrah is left to help Wong with household chores – like taking the garbage out. Putting his newly learned spells to work, he animates the garbage to have it take itself out. But, since he’s still new at this, the spell doesn’t quite work as planned and ends up creating a garbage monster rampaging through Greenwich Village. Can he set things right before his master returns?

Puma in “… And Not A Drop To Drink“
written by Dan Mishkin
art by Gavin Curtis

Puma is faced with a lizard-monster that wants his family’s sacred land. The lizard offers to teach Puma the ancient ways and the ability to transform reality if he will just give his land over. Can Puma deduce the reason the lizard wants the land and then satisfy both it and his family tribe?

This issue features early work by now-popular atist, Bryan Hitch. I haven’t read many Doctor Strange stories but, I’ve always enjoyed the ones that feature Rintrah. This issue was no exception and the Doctor Strange story was easily my favorite of the four. But, that’s only because it was truly a Rintrah story (not a Dr. Strange tale, as it was billed).

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January 12, 2012

Famous Fanmail #93 Mike W. Barr

Filed under: Famous Fanmail — Doorman @ 3:18 pm

Mike W. Barr is a prolific comics writer that’s had his hands in Marvel, DC and creator-owned works. He’s written mainstays like Batman and Spider-Man for the big publishers, and he’s created well-regarded independents like the Maze Agency and the Ultraverse’s Mantra. He got a letter printed in Fantastic Four #131 (cover date – February 1973), imploring the writers to send Johnny Storm (aka the Human Torch) to college.

Fantastic Four letters page with Mike W. Barr

On Ebay: Fantastic Four | Mike Barr
On AtomicAvenue: Fantastic Four

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January 11, 2012

Connecting Covers #12 Potter’s Field

Filed under: Connecting Covers — Doorman @ 10:17 am

A fun aspect of comic books is that sometimes their covers combine to make an even larger image. Here’s a look at some connecting covers.

The covers to Mark Waid’s Potter’s Field join up nicely. The story is about a graveyard where the unnamed dead are buried and a mysterious man’s quest to name them all.

On Ebay: Potter’s Field | Mark Waid
On AtomicAvenue: Potter’s Field

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January 10, 2012

Comic Book Cover Swipes Exposed #93

Filed under: Swiped: Comic Book Cover Swipes Exposed! — Doorman @ 10:19 am

Avengers #70 featured the first major appearance of the Squadron Sinister (and their first cover appearance). It was a team of villains meant to be analogous to DC’s Justice League. Hyperion = Superman. Whizzer = the Flash. Doctor Spectrum = Green Lantern. Nighthawk = Batman. An alternate universe version of the team, the Squadron Supreme, has since been more prominently featured in the Marvel Universe and included even more heroes that were derived from DC characters.