SO … WHILE ALL THE OTHER REVIEWERS ARE AT GC CORPORATE GIVING OUT ADVISE AS TO WHAT FREE COMIC BOOKS YOU SHOULD BE SCOOPING UP ON SATURDAY MAY 6TH AT YOUR LOCAL GRAHAM CRACKERS COMICS STORES FOR FREE COMIC BOOK DAY, I’M RIGHT HERE IN THE ARCHIVES TAKING A LOOK AT THIS WEEK’S NEW COMICS!
SHAZAM! #1 DC COMICS
When I was handed this one by my friendly neighborhood comic store manager, he told me that I might really like this one as the creative team of Mark Waid and Dan Mora were putting a real 1940’s C.C. Beck feel to it. So natural, I was all in. And for a few pages, it really seemed like they had captured the spirit of the Golden Age adventures. Talking alien dinosaurs, giant coffe cups, and the general outlook of a kid with superpowers was all there. I especially enjoyed the panel of Billy watching the ole black and white Batman and Robin movie under the idea of “intensive superhero research”. But it couldn’t last. I knew that eventually the modern world would sink into the story and some of the shine would rub away. Enter some overflow from the Revenge of the Gods storyline and more so yet another social media hate fiesta as something goes wrong with Captain Marvel and he acts up in front of the news cameras. A “We Hate Superheroes” plotline is sure to form like something out of the Legends miniseries back in 1986. So what I’m left with is some nostagia, some very good artwork and then just more of the same old thing. I give it a 7 out of 10 Grahams.
BATMAN #900 (#135) DC COMICS
Once again, I need to point out to the major comic publishers that if you have a title that has reached issue #900, this is a BIG deal and should be celebrated. Giving me a little #900 Legacy notation in the corner is really kind of an insult. That being said, we have finally reached the last chapter of this multiversal hodge-podge. And I must applaud writer Chip Zdarsky for this ending. He includes the mentality between the Joker/Batman relationship, the purpose of the Batman, and a cornucopia of cameos from Batmens from all media sources. Each version of Batman giving this Bruce Wayne a piece of themselves to complete him. The most touching in the 1960’s Adam West Batman handing him his utility belt and stating, “…a Batman needs a Utility Belt to fight the darkness, friend.” Get’s me all choked up. And don’t get me started on Shark Repellent! And while the cover might read Dawn of DC, I can’t help but feel that this is some sort of ending. This one deserves a 10 out of 10 Grahams.
BATMAN #181 FACSIMILE EDITION DC COMICS
Ah, the good old days! When names like Carmine Infantino, Murphy Anderson, Robert Kanigher, Sheldon Moldoff, and Gardner F. Fox were stunning readers on titles like Batman. New and exciting villains could pop up out of nowhere. Their fates left up to not only the readers but to those readers who took the time to send DC a letter. What I have always found incredible about this issue is NOT that is the first appearance of Poison Ivy and NOT the cool double page poster of Batman and Robin. As far as I am concerned, the best part of this issue is the appearance of the villainous Dragon Fly, Silken Spider, and Tiger Moth. These three ladies made up the top three list of the World’s Public Enemy. And aside from a brief cameo here and there over the years, they were never really heard from again. Just goes to show you how fickle us readers were in 1966. We also get a back up story featuring Batman’s friends, the Mystery Analysts of Gotham City! Much like the Bat Squad (Google search it!), the Mystery Analysts never got the respect they deserves. And all this cost twelve cents! (Nowadays $3.99) But at least I get the one page Adventure of Andy and George in the GI Joe Club ad! 10 out of 10 Grahams.
MONEY SHOT COMES AGAIN! #1 VAULT COMICS
Tim Seeley and Gisele Lagace join forces to bring the highly inappropriate title back. A title that proves that no matter what position the characters might be in, Gisele Lagace can drawn them with grace and a great big helping of naughtiness. Not that Tim Seeley’s story is holding anything back. But inbetween the nude scenes and the double entendres, Seeley’s story is very much the perfect sequel. The charcaters in Money Shot have branched out only to find themselves barely keeping their heads above water. And so they are forced to take on a new mission but without many of the benefits from the first series. But truth be told, this new series features a new character that brings a sense of nostalgia. If you were old enough to see over the counter of your comic shop, you may have caught a glimpse of an underground comic called Cherry Poptart. The story of a promiscuous young woman and her friends drawn in a sort of Archie-esque style by artist Larry Welz. AND SHE’S BACK! (Although, with her name changed to Cherry Popstar to avoid issues with a certain breakfast snack.) And although this title is definitely not for everyone, it does have it’s moments. I give it an 8 out of 10 Grahams.
FLESH-EATING CHEERLEADERS FROM OUTER SPACE #6 DREN PRODUCTIONS
And we get to the stunning conclusion, the final act as the random heroes find the way to defeat the cheerleaders. James Mascia’s script has turned what should have been a great softcore B-movie from the VHS days into an amazing comic.With Felipe Obando’s art as good as ever. And while I am of course saddened by the story ending, I am glad to see that like any good sci-fi/horror movie unresolved plotlines have been left open for sequels! I noted at least two other follow ups and I hope that the good folks at Dren Productions can green light these as soon as possible. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Flesh-Eating Cheerleaders From Outer Space crew, I salute you. When read from start to finish, this comes up as a 10 out of 10 Grahams.
