It's been a few weeks since I started analyzing the narrative techniques that Jack Kirby used in a particular story--this meeting between the Human Torch and Captain America (or, more properly, shared the analysis that I developed to show to younger Marvel editors.) And, honestly, part of the reason for that was some of the … Continue reading Lee & Kirby: The Narrative Techniques of Jack Kirby 2
EPISODE 49 "Star Force--devils!" - Leader Desslok We were all expecting a showdown when we tuned into STAR BLAZERS that Thursday, coming on the heels of yesterday's installment, and we got one--just not the one we tough was coming. Because although we hadn't seen any sign of him for about a week, it was time … Continue reading In Our Next STAR BLAZERS Adventure – Episode 49
I can remember picking this issue up off of the spinner rack at my local 7-11. Despite having become a regular reader of FANTASTIC FOUR, I had up until this time ignored MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE over the past few months. I'm guessing now that this is because my interest in the FF stemmed at the time … Continue reading BHOC: MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE #36
A genuine sucker punch of an ending topped off this issue of FANTASTIC FOUR, as we learn the outcome of Sue Richards' latest pregnancy. Writer/artist John Byrne is in strong form here, at about the middle of his long run on the title. Good use of the rest of the Marvel Universe and a sympathetic … Continue reading 5BC: Five Best Comics of 1984
I picked up this new issue of INVADERS during the same weekly run to the local 7-11, so at this point, I was buying titles from both of the major companies indiscriminately. While I had made the leap to trying out and enjoying several Marvel books, this hadn't led to me leaving my DC titles … Continue reading BHOC: INVADERS #25
EPISODE 48 "Right now, we have an advantage. Everyone will expect the Star Force to surrender too. Captain Gideon didn't surrender--he fought to the end. And someone else...Trelaina...Can the Star Force do any less? It's up to us now!" - Derek Wildstar Things were looking pretty bad for the Earth at the end of yesterday's … Continue reading In Our Next STAR BLAZERS Adventure – Episode 48
This was another forgettable issue of ACTION COMICS that I bought on my now-weekly trips to the 7-11 every Thursday for new comics. As elsewhere, there's some dodgy lettering on this cover--that lower balloon was clearly traced of of an oval template. But the cover does have some drama to it. I was reading ACTION … Continue reading BHOC: ACTION COMICS #479
If I am not mistaken, this issue of GREEN LANTERN represents the first oversized and up-priced anniversary issue that I ever encountered. Up until this point, while a particular title might mention the fact that it had reached the arbitrary milestone of a centennial issue (or, later, a 50th or even 25th issue) the actual … Continue reading BHOC: GREEN LANTERN #100
Back in the days when he was the Editor in Chief of Marvel Comics, Jim Shooter had a particular story that he liked to use as an example when explaining to people what he thought needed to be on the page in a well-crafted Marvel story. It was this one, the Human Torch story from … Continue reading Lee & Kirby: The Narrative Techniques of Jack Kirby
EPISODE 47 "Star Force! Star Force! You'll need a new strategy to overcome the Comet Empire and save Earth! I know you can do it! Captain Avatar has taught you well! Good luck!" - Captain Gideon This was the episode that everybody had been waiting for ever since the Earth flagship Andromeda had been introduced … Continue reading In Our Next STAR BLAZERS Adventure – Episode 47
