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Last update: 02/14/98

[All reviews are Paul, except where indicated]

[NOTE: Thank you to Beyond the Pale on 1116 15th Street in Sacramento for letting me review some of their indies. If you are looking for way off the wall comic books, then this is the place to check out. They can be reached at: Thepale@cwo.com ]

Tzu the Reaper #3

Publisher: Murim Studios, Inc.
Written by: Gary Cohn and B.K. Lee
Drawn by: C.S. Chun
Price: $2.95

Comments: Spectacular story and gorgeous colored artwork. Beautiful scenaries and the two scenes that stand out is when Tzu is showing Ms. Thompson, a DEA agent the night skies that look quite ominous in appearance, for the Evil Star is out and the omens in the sky are overwhelming. The second scene was the city of Kwangdong, lots of detailed artwork and I felt like I was walking right through these streets of this ancient city.

Agent Thompson is after Johnny Khang, a very evil criminal in the 20th Century and Tzu has just got done killing most of Khang's men.  There is some good scene shifts from the modern era to the olden days of China, where the buying of young boy slaves from the profits of hashish is abundant. The slave boys are then bought by the Mongols. I'm not going to give too much away, but this is an excellent series to jump into.

Tiger Wraith #1

Publisher: Mammoth Press
Written by: Steven G. O'Connell
Drawn by: Matthew Childers, J. Bruce Bogle, Rob Lansley, Darrin Pepe
Price: $2.95

Comments: Enter the reality of Godhaven where heroes like Tiger Wraith and Razor Wyre reside. Tiger Wraith when a living human being, believed in "thou shall not kill", but now that he has risen from the dead, he seeks revenge and death to those responsible for his demise or any other wrongdoers for that matter. Tiger Wraith can't be killed, but can be hurt. Bullets will not kill him, but can sting, so he avoids their path when combating evil. Tiger Wraith is an exciting character that grabs the reader's attention. With a large body count, due to the vengeance of the Tiger Wraith, the heat is on for the local detectives of Godhaven. Enter Winterkill, who has the ability to freeze his victims and snap their necks after being frozen.

Mr. Procopio feels the pressure from Tiger Wraith and as an insurance policy seeks out the protection from Winterkill. Winterkill is one scary guy that will give you plenty of chills. Besides, Godhaven, you'll be taken a stone's throw away to a place outside of Godhaven, called New Shanghai. Steven O'Connell has really created a spanking new reality for the reader to explore and introducing us to spectacular characters that inhabit these new places. A Chinaman named Lau, had a brother who is now dead, that is responsible for Tiger Wraith existing, it has to do with calling on the spirit of the Sacred Tiger. 

This area is tantalizing and most likely will be explored in future issues. There is a connection to a dynasty called Procopio Industries and Tiger Wraith and how does Mr. Procopio fit into this puzzle? Lau gives clues to Tiger Wraith and now its up to Tiger Wraith to piece the puzzle together.  Good action between Tiger Wraith and Winterkill. Lots of mystery and thrills! Cool added bonus is Razor Wyre. Forget Razor, we have a new lady on the scene, called Razor Wyre and she actually uses razor wire that is shot out from her wrists to take down the bad guys. She has a great look and some good agile moves that will keep you coming back for more! The headline in a newspaper reads "Vigilante kills bystanders, eludes police capture" and from there, the action gets intense. I just saw two high action films called Replacement Killers and Deep Rising.

If you take the action from both of these movies and combine it, then you'll have the same amount of action found in "Razor Wyre"! Great artwork, high paced drama, heart pounding action!! For more information check out their website at: http://www.thecore.com/~resurgam/ or email Steven O'Connell at: resurgam@thecore.com

Sidenote: Some alternate titles that came out this week were: Channel Zero #1 by Image; Steranko's Graphic Prince of Darkness by Marvel; Ms. Fortune #1 by Image; A Moment of Freedom by Caliber Comics; Glenn Danzig's Wingbird: Akuma-She #1; Dee Dee #7 by Eros Comix and New Adventures of Abraham Lincoln by Scott McCloud! Who says there is no variety??

Grease Monkey #1

Publisher: Image Comics
Written and Drawn by: Tim Eldred

Comments: Battlestar Galactica meets Star Trek meets Babylon 5 meets Planet of the Apes meets Star Wars. This comic book is fun for all ages. Black and white artwork that is done with a Johnny Quest type look.

This is what Tim has to say about the origin of his story: "Early in the 21st Century (2:55am, in fact), the history of Planet Earth took a left turn into oncoming traffic. ALIEN traffic. A million, zillion hostile spaceships descended on humanity and blasted civilization into chili powder. Then they left........60 % of all the humans on Earth had been killed in the attack. Since GAAAH (Galactic Alliance Against the Alien Horde) scientists had the ability to bestow high intelligence onto other species, it was decided that some of Earth's other inhabitants could balance our the number of humans lost.

The dolphins wanted nothing to do with this, but were glad to learn there would now be 60% less pollution in their water. The gorillas, on the other hand, were more than happy to bask in a higher IQ pool in exchange for their services." The hero in this story is Cadet Plotnik who gets ribbed a lot from the other cadets. He is assigned to engineering with Gimbensky, a gorilla. It is rumored that Gimbensky ate his last crewman teammate and Plotnik is somewhat hesitant to work for this big ape. The Barbarians are a squadron of female fighter pilots and other fighters are called: Tigers, Samurai, Gladiators, Crusaders, Hardriders and Vultures. Plotnik and Gimbensky don't hit it off too well, but by the end of the story, they start bonding. Great action, fun adventure.

Strangehaven #6

Publisher: Abiogenesis Press
Written and Drawn by: Gary Spencer Millidge
Price: $2.95

Comments: Ever watched the Prisoner with Patrick McGoohan? Did you like it? If you did, then you may like Strangehaven. A mysterious order called the Knights of the Golden Light are shown doing strange rituals and the villagers of Strangehaven go about their daily business. Interactions with the Watchman and the Prime Knight of this secret order will keep you glued to the edge of your seat. This secret order initiates a new member and they place the cowl of secrecy over his face and he must maintain this secrecy for the rest of his life. Shades of the Illuminati and the Freemasons. How will this secret order interact with the citizens of Strangehaven? You have to jump into this series and find out for yourself. For more information, contact the author at: strangehaven@enterprise.net or snail mail at: Abiogenesis Press, PO Box 448, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 2FN, England.  

Sidenote: Other comics that came out this week were: Brilliant Boy by Circus Comics; Jason Lute's Berlin; The Tiger Woman; Creature #1 by Antarctic Press; Broken Fender; Reedemers by Antarctic Press; Empty Love Stories by Funny Valentine Press; Hightop Ninja and Dr. Weird by October Comics.

Legion of Stupid Heroes #4

Publisher: Alternate Concepts
Written by: Johnny Lauck, John R.G. Barrett
Drawn by: Charles Burgoon, Earl Geier, Rick Schmitz, Danny Watson, Chas
Gillen and Richard Tomasic
Price: $2.50

Comments: Again, Johnny Lauck delivers a funny comic book that has many hilarious gags that will keep you in stitches. Some of the characters have names like: Blambo, Captain Almost, Hair Princess, Skip, Anemia Six and Clod. Remember those Roadrunner and Coyote cartoons and the Coyote would always call upon the Acme corporation for certain weapons and traps to capture the roadrunner? Well, in this comic book, Acme is now running a "Acme Rottweiler Attack School"! Acme gets involved in everything. As Doctor Liez who has used his infanto ray to make himself baby size and wanders into a minefield, I notice that the sign which reads "Danger Minefield" has in small writing..."Jehovah Witnesses Welcome". In another scene a mother asks..."Is it a boy or a girl?" and the answer is..."it's a superhero!" Great stuff and if your in the mood for some hearty laughter, then you should check out this comic book! For more information contact Johnny at: JDLAUCK@aol.com  or snail mail at: Alternate Concepts, 2376 W. Michigan Avenue, Battle Creek, MI 49017. Like Bugs Bunny says....That's all Folks!

Big Bang Comics #16

Publisher: Image
Written by: Gary Carlson, Jerry Acerno, Daniel Wilson, Ryan Brown, Jeff
Weigel, Frank Kurtz
Drawn by: Tim Stiles, Shawn Van Briesen, Bill Fugate, Chas, Jerry Acerno,
Darren Goodhart, Ryan Brown, Jeff Weigel and Frank Kurtz
Price: $2.95

Comments: 5 stories, they are Thunder Girl, Shadow Lady, The Absolute, Bog and Johnny Ruckus and the Monster Patrol. Also, a Jeff Weigel presents "How to Draw Ultiman". Front cover by Bill Fugate has the Silver Age 60s touch with Thunder Girl clobbering a brontosaurus. In the Thunder Girl story, Molly Wilson gathers the forces of nature and transforms into Thunder Girl. Thunder Girl does a bit of time traveling and discovers that the Vikings were the first to hit American shores. She experiments with a dinosaur and allows the dinosaur to eat her. She then gathers the heat of a volcano and the dinosaur has no choice but to spit her out.

When Big Bang Comics first started off, it brought on the childhood memories of the Silver Age. Now, the stories are getting a bit repetitive and somewhat boring. I did find the Big Bang Comic's Fact File Page: Bog Swamp Demon pretty interesting and hadn't realized that Bog first appeared in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, #4, Vol. 2. With Johnny Ruckus and the Monster Patrol, there is a short story with a parody of King Kong and Godzilla. Black and white artwork. Artwork is done simple on Thunder Girl, but more detailed on Shadow Lady.

Rating: From a possible 10, I gave this comic a 6. I found myself yawning at some of the stories. I had to pick myself back up with the video release of "GI Jane" with Demi Moore! Wow!

Sidenote: This week, there was plenty of new comics that hit the stands. I found myself gaping at a few and turning my head from others. But, again, I was very amazed at some of the titles. What I found were:  Michael Kobayashi's What's Michael; Bethany Vampfire #1 by Brainstorm Comics; Temptress #1 by Caliber Comics; The 7th System #1 by Sirius; Technopolis #2 by Caliber; Vampire's Lust #3 by Boneyard Press; Serpentina #1a by Lightning Comics; Babylon Crush by Boneyard Press; Christi Lake #1 by Carnal Comics; XYZ by Kitchen Sink Comix; Achilles Storm: Dark Secret #2 by Brainstorm Comics; Pandora #2 by Avatar; Lethal Ladies of Brainstorm by Brainstorm Comics; Cherry #19 by Cherry Comics; Full Metal Fiction #8 by London Night; Neon Genesis Evangelion #5 by Viz Select Comics; Witchcraft 1 of 3 by DC/Vertigo and Blade of the Immortal #7 by Dark Horse Comics. Like I said before, variety is the spice of life and there is a comic for any genre, you just have to look!

The Desert Peach #27

Publisher: A Fine Line Publication
Written and Drawn by: Donna Barr
Price: $5.95

Comments: Black and white artwork. Artwork gets crowded in many spots and I had to strain my eyes in some parts of the story. Lots of text to read and I was kind of surprised to find something unusual in the contents of this story. The story deals with World War II and guest appearances of Adolf Hitler and General Rommel aka the Desert Fox. Ahh...your probably saying, this is a war time story. Well, not exactly. Meet Pfirsich a soldier in Adolf Hitler's ranks, who despises Hitler and is "gay". Adolf acts real charming with General Rommel and others and Pfirsich can't understand how he can act so charming at times and can be so deceiving. He doesn't trust Hitler and realizes that gays go to camps. Pfirsich stays in the closet. Another homosexual, who is a major teases his colleague about being a prissy and to counteract this embarrassing compromising comment, his colleague throws himself to an available woman. Then the major finds himself mauled by a dark skinned man. Being chased around and the dark skinned man tells the major he has dainty ankles. Slanted lettering made this comic book even more harder to read. This is the type of comic book to read to songs like "Lola" by the Kinks or "Take a Walk on the Wild Side" by Lou Reed. If your curious by nature, check out the website at: http://www.tooluser.com/barr/

Rating: From a possible 10, I gave this comic book a 3. There was some humorous parts of the story. Would I read this comic book again? I really don't think so, but might loan it out to my neighbor Brutus Beefcake to read, he might get some enjoyment from it. Not my cup of java. Now to some manly machismo type of things: Where is my Hulk and Pitt comic books? Ain't Nick Fury the greatest? Did anybody see the Superbowl game? Is Hollywood Hulk Hogan still going to take on the Nature Boy Rick Flair?  Where is my Soldier of Fortune magazine? Like the Navy Seals say....."Hoooyahh!"

Unbound #1

Publisher: Image Comics
Written by: Joe Pruett
Drawn by: Michael Peters
Price: $2.95

Comments: Last night, I was told to do a search and find mission for a comic book called Unbound #1, by Image. Under the push and shove of a good friend named Tue Sorensen of Denmark, I located this comic book. I was exceptionally pleased with this find. I love Greek, Roman, Norse mythologies and to my surprise, this is the continuing saga of Prometheus, the bringer of fire.

I was stunned at the detailed black and white artwork that graced this comic book. Michael Peters has the godly touch, when it comes to his fantastic artwork. I was hooked right from the beginning as Prometheus was chained to that rock and awaited for the savage talons to rip at his liver. What a horrifying ordeal, shown in all its terrifying splendor.

To my surprise, the story shifts to New York City at some trendy nightclub locale where the characters were introduced to the readers, like out of the movie "Boogie Nights". Exceptionally well done. The reader is introduced to the twins, Marta and Eric, whose father is Zeus and his lust for a mortal woman, produced them. The twins, Marta and Eric may have the destination of mankind and the gods in their future, as Prometheus is doing everything in his power to protect them, from Zeus and other Olympian gods, who wish only to see their quick and sudden demise. There was some good comic relief as Prometheus tries to explain exactly who he is to the twins and of course, they think he is some kind of psycho. Marta was quite hard on Prometheus and I predict in the future of this series, she might be the weak link in the chain. But, of course again, I could be wrong.

As in told in the bible and other historical ancient religious documents, that angels and godlings desired mortal women and became intimate with them, in which races like giants and other half god/half man type of races evolved.   I see, this practice of gods with mortal women continues and a great god like Zeus is no better than Clinton's involvement with Zippergate. Yes, the twins hold the key to the future and what is in store for the twins in future issues to come, will be an adventure that will keep me riveted to my seat! Prometheus being the rebel god that he is, does not side with the gods and takes his own course of action. He is sort of the James Dean of gods. As James Dean was a "Rebel without a Cause", Prometheus is a rebel with a cause! Powerpacked action and Joe Pruett is getting my adrenalyn pumped up to the max with this story!!

Sinthia 2B
Publisher: Lightning Comics
Written by: Joseph Adam
Drawn by: Rod Perry
Price: $3.00

Comments: Princess Sinthia with her demonic bodyguard Mhor-Duke head to Earth. Sinthia being a princess from Hell, seeks out love. She meets Michael and goes on a cruise with him, to learn more about love and they are attacked by demons. Michael becomes more worried about his Porche, than the safety of Sinthia. I think Sinthia picked out the wrong one, for a love interest. Shal-lea and Mek-lar, two lowly demons have taken on the disguise of Sinthia and Mhor-Duke while they are gone. Shal-lea is liking her role as a princess and of course now, trouble is brewing. The story is fast paced, full of action and the artwork is gorgeous, beautiful coloring, bold inking and just darn good quality work. If you have a chance, check this comic book out.

Dark Ages
Publisher: Alternate Concepts
Price: $3.75
Written and Drawn: Various writers & artists

Comments: Analogy of stories. The first one is called Swords in Charahand, story and art by Richard Tomasic. Very detailed artwork. The whole comic book is in black and white.

This story takes place in T'Hakkarath aka the Mountains of Death. You will find a land of unknown, black superstition with stories of demons and dragons, haunting its cloudy peaks. There is plenty of text to read. This is not a comic book that you can easily scan through at your local comic book store, this will actually take time to absorb. Orsa and a group of warriors are climbing through the peaks on horseback and Orsa is the complainer of the group. Complaining about the cold and all of the treacherous climbing that they have to do. A major ambush takes place with primitives who have stones and spears and the bloodshed begins. Very graphic battle scene ensues. Very well told story and excellent visual effects.

Next story is called Scot the Maurader, story and art by Linc Polderman. Very intense violence is shown in this story. Scot is a barbarian that is drawn out of proportion, with over sized chest, arm muscles, etc. Scot is not shy in beheading his fellow countrymen. During the midst of battle, Scot takes a break from his massive beheading and dismemberments and accepts a cupcake from a child. He enjoys his treat and continues with his violent rampage. Yes this story is done with black humor. Very enjoyable read.

Then we come to Legion of Stupid Knights, story by Johnny Lauck and artwork by Earl Geier. Great comic relief as Farmer Furd poses as a common street beggar and is exposed for what he really is, a farmer. The theme is that the whole town has gotten caught up in buying, trading and selling collector cards and everyone seems to have gone bananas. Lord Dork has came upon good fortune and sits upon a mountain of gold coins and the Princess has had enough of this greed and plenty of slapstick comedy unfolds from here. The Princess makes the town wake up and they are no longer obsessed with the collecting of cards, but she is ready for them, if they start collecting Beanie Babies, Cabbage Patch Dolls, Tamagotchis or anything else that is collectible. Hilarious fun and this story gives you a break from the ultra-violence that was depicted in the first two stories.

The last story is Thunder, story by John R.G. Barrett and artwork by Marty Webber. Learn about Thunder, who was a Muta, a legendary tribe of warriors. From the youngest age, Muta boys were trained to hunt and kill. And if they were trained to hunt and kill, you know there will be more sword battles, intense fighting to be seen! Dark Ages takes you back to medieval times. When experiencing this comic book, you will never be the same again! If you like Conan the Barbarian, Kull the Conquerer, Groo the Wanderer, Bloodspot 2: The Next Kumite, Xena, Warrior Princess, Hercules, then you'll like this comic book! Plenty to read, lots of entertainment, lots to explore and doors to new realities are open in this fascinating comic book.

For more information you can contact: Johnny Lauck, Alternate Concepts, 2376 W. Michigan Avenue, Battle Creek, MI 49017-1332 or email JDLAUCK@AOL.COM

Scarlet Crush #1
Publisher: Awesome
Written by: John Stinsman
Drawn by: John Stinsman/pencils and Norm Rapmund/inks
Price: $2.50

Comments: Meet Icaria of the United Earth Police. Max Scorpio, former United Earth Army. Lennix, protector of Max. Lennix is a giant, from a race of beings who are almost extinct. Max saved Lennix life and Lennix has never left his side after that. Tyra 69, who is the 69th model of engineered "love clones". Tyra was created to serve for pleasure. She escaped her ordeal as a love clone and is part of this fighting team. Don't think this lady can't fight. This new fighting team confront the Tiamatians, an war-like alien race who seek domination of the galaxy. Plenty of action. Beautiful colors. Gorgeous artwork. Sensational read. Other comic books coming out of the Awesome Universe are: Fighting American, Coven, Kaboom, Youngblood with 6 exciting new characters and last, but not least Re=Gex.

Rating: From a possible 10, I gave this one a 10! I loved the artwork, I dug the action, I liked the way the story was heading, I'm looking forward to more!! Sidenote: This week Ironcat Comics puts out their two new titles "Ippongi Bang's Doctor!" and " Go Nagai Cutie Honey". If you like Manga, then I suggest these comics might be for you.

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