DETECTIVE COMICS #298 FACSIMILE EDITION DC COMICS
With the new Clayface movie in theaters, it isn’t shocking that DC would give us a replica of the first appearance of Clayface Number Two. Yes, I said Two because there was another villainous Clayface before old Matt here. In fact, at the current count there are 8 main characters named Clayface in the DCU. But the Matt Hagan version is the main reason for most of the others. And with the creative team of Bill Finger on script, Sheldon Moldoff on pencils, and Charles Paris on inks, this one has got to be good. We were already into the science fiction tone of recent Batman stories, so Clayface made for a perfect villain for the era. What truly amazes me is that having a lot of comic tropes in the story (a hidden grotto with a rainbow glowing pond, a slip into said pond, and a time limit for his powers) it also has a few unique points. Hagan never does reveal where the pond is! Even going so far as to warn that once he gets out of prison, Clayface will return. The other thing is that the creative team was able to give us a full origin story within 13 pages! ANd because Detective Comics was one of DC’s headlining anthology titles, we also get a John Jones, Manhunter From Mars and an Aquaman tale. That’s three of the Big Seven Justice League members all in one title. That’s a whole lot of entertainment for (originally) twelve cents. What more can I say? 10 out of 10 Grahams.
IRON MAN RACING TOWARDS DOOM #1 MARVEL COMICS
With Doctor Doom everywhere these days, this one came as a little bit of a surprize. While DOOM is taking over everything including movie screens, this little one-shot was different. When I saw this in the review pile, I just shook my head and got ready to pan it outright. But once I started reading, I couldn’t help but wonder if this was some left over story from the 1970’s-1980’s. F1 racing cars? Dazzler in her silver jumpsuit? Doctor Doom not only defeated rather easily but destroying one of his castles in the battle. This is told from a timeframe where Victor Von Doom was the leader of a country with delusions of grandeur and not the all powerful multiverse despot. While really, really odd (surprized Team America didn’t make a cameo!) it isn’t all that bad. While not a fan of Doctor Doom or Formula One Racing, this was pleasant enough. Not sure how fans of the newer Doom are going to like it however. 6 out of 10 Grahams.
IT DEMANDS SACRIFICE #1 BAD IDEA COMICS
Wow! With Halloween just around the corner, it seems like a good time to release this little oddity. Talking goats and Manson Family like serial killers combine in this bloody tale by noted author Philip Gelatt. It is a very disconcerting tale that stirs up 1970’s cult movies. The goats have a double meaning here and I expect that fact to be explored in a future issue. Along with the brief mention of the end of the world in three hours. I can’t really go into any great detail because this first issue doesn’t show us much to work with. An interesting curiosity that may build into something. 7 out of 10 Grahams.
MONSTERVISION ASHCAN FEATURING JOE BOB BRIGGS AND DARCY DYNAMITE COMICS
It’s been probably 35 years since I’ve seen an Ashcan Edition. And it is rather proper that I should be reviewing Joe Bob Briggs’ first venture into comics. I was a huge fan throughout his career through Joe Bob’s Drive-In Theater, Monstervision, and the Last Drive-In. I have attanded his lectures, met both he and Darcy in person, and got to attend the watch party at imaginary cable access station, WSTV when Joe Bob sent the host of the Video Nasties Project a congradulations message. Like all loyal mutants, this comic was a must have. However, I wasn’t expected much. While writer David Avallone is talented, would he be able to capture the essence of Joe Bob and Darcy. I was betting a series featuring them getting into zany mischief that had very little to do with the real people. And this little preview book, proved me completely wrong! The creative team here in these short nine pages knocked my socks off! From the behind the scenes look at the two, to the corporate interference, to Joe Bob’s cry I am for sure getting too old for this s**t, to his love of the triple black 440-6barrel 1971 Plymouth ‘cuda, it’s all here! And just when you’re thinking they got lucky, the panels of Joe Bob and Darcy meeting protesters at a drive-in theater and their reactions are spot on. Tolerant and respectful yet totally enjoying the ludicrousness they present. I haven’t seen monster movie hosting handled this well since the 1990’s Elvira series from Claypoole. Hopefully Monstervision can make it as long as that series did. This has definitely given me a reason to wait for December when the 1st full issue shows up on newstands. 10 out of 10 Grahams.