DC’s SAVED BY THE BELLE REVE #1 DC COMICS
While I give DC credit for continuing to come up with reasons to have these 80 page specials, They always seemed to be a mixed batch. With 8 tales of school high-jinx throughout the DC Universe, not all of the stories really jumped out at me. And like much of DC’s output these days, most of them either focus on the world of the Batman. From Super Sons to Gotham Academy, make no mistake, this is a Batman title. That being said, there are some sparkling moments that really stand out. Dave Wielgosz’ s story featuring Green Arrow and Speedy is wonderfully charming and terribly tragic as you can see the riff starting to form between the two which we know will not end well. We get an unexpected story of the Tiny Titans from Art Baltazar and Franco which makes us mourn the demise of DC Comics extensive kids comics line. So while these are independantly a group of interesting tales, when they are crammed all together, they become a bit of a crazy quilt. Fun but a bit disjointed. Still, it is amusing to see Commissioner Gordon give young Dick Grayson the awkward stare down when he picks Barbara up for the prom. 7 out of 10 Grahams.
ROBOTIC STOOGES STOOGE WAR #1 AMERICAN MYTHOLOGY
Can you ever have too many Stooges? Of course not and American Mythology knows this! And what a better way to highlight them than in a Crisis/War of the Independants type mash-up! Writer S.A. Check comes up with a story that is choatic but very satisfying! And if you pay really close attention to some of the supporting characters, I definitely feel the presence of Sid & Marty Kroft! As well as a possible guest appearance by Emil Sitka (I’m pretty sure), I think I’m seeing versions of Witchie-Poo, Sigmud’s Sea Monster, Horatio J. HooDoo, and Dr. Shrinker! Plus, it would be a Stooge War without Curly and Shemp! This one pulls out all the stops and makes me wish it was Saturday Morning and I had a huge bowl Frankenberry cereal in front of me. 9 out of 10 Grahams!
VAMPIRESS CARMILLA #11 WARRANT PUBLISHING
The Vampiress Carmilla magazine continues to zero in on what made the black and white horror magazines of the 1970’s highly valued. Collecting such artists as Nik Poliwko, Reno Maniquis, and writers such as Don Glut and Artie Godwin, even after 11 issues you can’t get enough. The detailed sketchbook quality of the art proves that sometimes color is not needed. And the clever little twists and turns of the stories will keep readers entertained viewing after reviewing. Mummies, Swamp Monsters, Vampires, Werewolves, this issue has it all. As well as a touching farewell to Neal Adams who worked on some of the earlier issues or Vampiress Carmilla’s sister magazine Creeps. In these pages is inspiration and humor, terror and a sense of nostalgia. I give it an 9 out of 10 Grahams.
