Sunday, September 25, 2022
Wednesday, September 21, 2022
Monday, September 19, 2022
Frank Holster Mysteries Available Soon!
Friday, September 16, 2022
Recently Read: Naruto, Vol. 20: Naruto vs. Sasuke
Naruto Vol. 20 begins on a bittersweet note, with Tsunade taking on the role of fifth Hokage and Sasuke falling under the malevolent influence of Orochimaru, due to his desire for revenge against Itachi. Tsunade's healing powers, at the same time, can do little for the physically broken Rock Lee, who nevertheless becomes mentally reinvigorated after a long talk with his mentor, Guy.
Sasuke insists on tackling Naruto in combat, a proposition Naruto is enthusiastic about. Their bout ends with an interesting talk between Kakashi and Jiraiya. Orochimaru's scouts The Sound Ninja Four, meanwhile, have made their way to Konoha and give Sasuke a proposition he may not refuse. Vol. 20 provides some relative quiet time after the previous chapter's storm and set the stage for more intrigue.
Thursday, September 15, 2022
Recently Read: Old Gods & New: A Companion to Jack Kirby's Fourth World
Author and publisher John Morrow's 160-page book on the origins, publication and aftermath of Jack Kirby's Fourth World series for DC Comics is as complete a picture of the chronology as we'll probably ever get. Liberally and beautifully illustrated and packed with quotes from those close to the project at the time, Old Gods & New tells the tale of how one of the most visionary and audacious comic book ventures was shot down midstream.
Especially nice is the reproduction of the eighteen concept drawings Kirby drew while still in Marvel's employ, in the late '60s, printed in color on - as with the rest of the book - non-glare paper. Also appreciated in a deep delve into the '80s series Captain Victory and the Galactic Rangers, in which Kirby deliberately yet surreptitiously brought some of the Fourth World's character conflicts to a resolution. New to me was information on Kirby's attempt to negotiate a return to Marvel halfway through his contract with DC.
For readers of Kirby's New Gods, Forever People, Mister Miracle and Jimmy Olson series, this trade paperback is essential for your library.
Wednesday, September 7, 2022
Tuesday, September 6, 2022
Recently Read: Golden Age Captain America Vol. 4
Speaking of Lee, his "whimsical" series The Imp, he who lives in an ear, is plain unreadable. The series is fleshed out with the stories of a kid superhero, the U.S. war bond and stamp-selling Secret Stamp. It's enjoyable as an example of rousing WWII propaganda.
Golden Age Captain America Comics Vol. 4 has little redeeming or incidental qualities in terms of storytelling, as Simon and Kirby's issues did. As such, it's mainly for completists or those interested in the day-to-day, average product of Timely at the time.
Monday, September 5, 2022
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