BACK ISSUE MAGAZINE #139 TWOMORROWS PUBLISHING
The late 1970’s and early 1980’s were an interesting time in comics and this issue of Back Issue looks at those days through the eyes of a Marvel “Zombie” (a term used for comic fans of the time who thought that Marvel Comcs were the bee’s knees and bought everything they put out.) Marvel characters were branching out into television and Marvel was bringing out new/old heroes left and right. With titles like Marvel Two-In-One, Marvel Team-Up, Marvel Premier, Marvel Etc, Etc. , Writers were constantly on the look out for new characters to throw at the readers. And these articles feature some of the best and brightest of the second stringers! From space to under the sea, these reformed villians, WWII heroes, and even psychiatric reserchers got their shot to shine in the spotlight. And with Folks Who Know Their Comics like Brian Martin, Dan Tandarich, Ed Catto, and so many more, the histories of these wanna-be’s is treated with respect. Ans also check out the letters page about an interested early crossover with Batman, Robin, the Joker and the Star-Spangled Kid and Stripsey?! 10 out of 10 Grahams. 
DARK CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #5 DC COMICS
Hey, guess what? The heroes have all gathered at the Hall of Justice to take the fight to Deathstroke. Nightwing has gotten through his moment of crisis (no pun intended!), Beast Boy is up and raring for a fight with his cool new eye-patch. And the Justice League is back for the final face-off! Sound familiar? That’s cause it is. And when as is said and done, the Multiverse will return and close to 40 years of rewrite after rewrite will be rebooted again. In other news, thanks DC for that two panel guest appearance of the JSA. Jerks! In all fairness however, this issue does feature some striking images by Daniel Sampere. All in all, this is just more of the same in a different wrapper. I give it a 6 out of 10 Grahams.
IMAGE 30TH ANNIVERSARY ANTHOLOGY #6 IMAGE COMICS
I worked with a guy who once he made sure you had a certain mentality would purchase for you a copy of a prestige format comic called The Pro. This one-off satire by Garth Ennis was definitely not for children! But the story itself (while being wonderfully perverse!) was thought provoking and charming all at the same time. So imagine my surprize to find The Pro back on the cover of issue #6 and being drawn by Amanda Conner, the original penciller! While featuring 11 stories total (including part 2 of a Hack and Slash story!) Our main focas here is the return of the Pro and it’s stunning presentation by not only Connor and Ennis but Jimmy Palmiotta and Paul Mounts! While the stories presented here are a great representation of all that Image has had to offer us for the past 30 years, bringing back the Pro was just mind-blowing! Showing that comics are for adults too, it gets a 10 out of 10 Grahams.
NIGHT OF THE GHOUL #1 DARK HORSE COMICS
Well, it is October and time for Halloween. And Dark Horse has given us the opportunity to go full blown creepy with Scott Snyder and Francesco Francavilla’s Night of the Ghoul! Blending filmaking, horror, suspense, and the search for missing classic films the story of Forest Innman and his son as they try to hunt down the true story of the greatest horror film never shown. This is an amazing story and really blends to world of the film version with real life. And like all true horror gems, it’s hard to discuss without giving something away. I will say this, if you want a really good scare- the kind of scare that causes chills up you spine- this is the comic that will do it. Remember, be careful what you look for because you might find it! I give it a 10 out of 10 Grahams!
SCREEM MAGAZINE #40 SCREEM PUBLISHING
And while we are on the subject of scary … As a younger man, I like many others immersed myself in the world of the horror movie in Famous Monsters of Filmland. Articles about horror movies, interviews with their stars, but more importantly, those wonderful ads at the back of the magazine that highlight films I had never heard of. With a brief synopsys and a very tiny black and white picture, these mysterious movies would fire my imagination. Screem magazine is like the same only they understand that those horror fans grew up. Aside from articles about the film Nosferatu and an interview with director Allan Arkush, this is cover to cover movie reviews on a grand scale! The weirder the better! With better images and longer more indepth coverage, this magazine make a horror fanboy shout for joy. After thumbing through this issue, I am now on the hunt for the movies, Uncle was a Vampire and Dracula and Son, both starring Christopher Lee. Heck, any magazine that can reference Santo and the movie Get Crazy on the cover gets my dime every time! 10 out of 10 Grahams.
