Showing posts with label Carlos Garzon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Carlos Garzon. Show all posts

Monday, February 20, 2017

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for February 22, 2017

DC COMICS

DEC160244    ACTION COMICS #974    $2.99
DEC160245    ACTION COMICS #974 VAR ED    $2.99
OCT160318    ASTRO CITY #41    $4.99
OCT160319    ASTRO CITY #41 VAR ED    $4.99
DEC160255    BATGIRL #8    $2.99
DEC160256    BATGIRL #8 VAR ED    $2.99
NOV160323    BATGIRL AN ADULT COLORING BOOK TP    $15.99
DEC160341    BATMAN 66 MEETS WONDER WOMAN 77 #2 (OF 6)    $3.99
DEC160253    BATMAN BEYOND #5    $2.99
DEC160254    BATMAN BEYOND #5 VAR ED    $2.99
NOV160326    BATMAN BEYOND TP VOL 03 WIRED FOR DEATH    $14.99
NOV160321    BATMAN NIGHT OF THE MONSTER MEN HC    $24.99
NOV150319    BATMAN V SUPERMAN DOJ WONDER WOMAN STATUE    $150.00
DEC160263    BLUE BEETLE #6    $2.99
DEC160264    BLUE BEETLE #6 VAR ED    $2.99
DEC160405    CLEAN ROOM #16 (MR)    $3.99
NOV160329    COSMIC ODYSSEY DELUXE EDITION HC    $34.99
AUG160371    DCTV THE FLASH ZOOM AF    $28.00
DEC160269    DEATHSTROKE #13    $2.99
DEC160270    DEATHSTROKE #13 VAR ED    $2.99
DEC160273    DETECTIVE COMICS #951    $2.99
DEC160274    DETECTIVE COMICS #951 VAR ED    $2.99
DEC160277    FLASH #17    $2.99
DEC160278    FLASH #17 VAR ED    $2.99
DEC160409    FROSTBITE #6 (OF 6) (MR)    $3.99
DEC160359    FUTURE QUEST #10    $3.99
DEC160360    FUTURE QUEST #10 VAR ED    $3.99
OCT160303    GREEN LANTERN THE SILVER AGE OMNIBUS HC VOL 01    $99.99
DEC160289    HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #15    $2.99
DEC160290    HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #15 VAR ED    $2.99
DEC160295    HELLBLAZER #7    $2.99
DEC160296    HELLBLAZER #7 VAR ED    $2.99
NOV160334    INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US YEAR FIVE HC VOL 02    $24.99
NOV160333    INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US YEAR FIVE TP VOL 01    $16.99
DEC160235    JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #1    $2.99
DEC160237    JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #1 BLANK VAR ED    $2.99
DEC160236    JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #1 VAR ED    $2.99
DEC168137    JUSTICE LEAGUE POWER RANGERS #1 (OF 6) 2ND PTG    $3.99
DEC160339    KAMANDI CHALLENGE #2 (OF 12)    $3.99
DEC160340    KAMANDI CHALLENGE #2 (OF 12) VAR ED    $3.99
AUG160370    LEGENDS OF TOMORROW FIRESTORM AF    $28.00
DEC160366    SCOOBY DOO TEAM UP #23    $2.99
DEC160311    SUICIDE SQUAD #12    $2.99
DEC160312    SUICIDE SQUAD #12 VAR ED    $2.99
DEC160354    SUPERGIRL BEING SUPER #2 (OF 4)    $5.99
NOV160339    SUPERMAN BATMAN TP VOL 05    $34.99
DEC160321    TEEN TITANS #5    $2.99
DEC160322    TEEN TITANS #5 VAR ED    $2.99
DEC160329    WONDER WOMAN #17    $2.99
DEC160330    WONDER WOMAN #17 VAR ED    $2.99
NOV160320    WONDER WOMAN TP VOL 01 THE LIES (REBIRTH)    $16.99

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Review: Flash Gordon Comic Book Archives Volume 4

FLASH GORDON COMIC BOOK ARCHIVES, VOLUME 4

DARK HORSE BOOKS
WRITERS: John Warner, Gary Poole
ARTISTS: Carlos Garzón, Frank Bolle
INTRODUCTION: Arthur Lortie
ISBN: 978-1-59582-717-3; hardcover
224pp, Color, $49.99 U.S., $54.99 CAN

Flash Gordon and the science fiction, newspaper comic strip that shares his name debuted on January 7, 1934. Created by Alex Raymond, the strip followed the adventures of Gordon and his companions, Dale Arden and Dr. Hans Zarkov, on the planet Mongo. There, they battle the evil despot, Ming the Merciless.

The first Flash Gordon comic books were published in the 1930s and 1940s and were reprints of the comic strip. In the 1940s, Dell Comics began publishing Flash Gordon comic books with original stories from the mid-1940s to the early 1950s

Published by Dark Horse Books, Flash Gordon Comic Book Archives is reprinting Flash Gordon comic books that were produced by various publishers, including Dell Comics and Charlton Comics. Flash Gordon Comic Book Archives Volume 4 reprints Flash Gordon #19-27, which were published by Gold Key Comics from 1978 to 1980. Prior to Gold Key, there had not been a Flash Gordon comic book series since Charlton Comics’ Flash Gordon #18 hit newsstands in 1970.

According to the introduction to this volume by Arthur Lortie, Gordon’s nemesis, Ming the Merciless, was deposed as ruler of the planet, Mongo, in the 1930/40s continuity of the comics strip. Gold Key Comics staff writer, John David Warner restores Ming to power and returns Gordon, and his companions, Dale Arden and Dr. Hans Zarkov, to Mongo to battle Ming. Warner sends the three on an odyssey through Mongo’s myriad regions as they try to build a coalition of kingdoms to defeat Ming.

Warner wrote issues #19-24, and writer/editor Gary T. Poole wrote the last three issues of the Gold Key series, #25-27. Columbian-born comic book artist and comics illustrator, Carlos Garzón drew every issue of the Gold Key series, except for two issues. Garzón was also an assistant to Al Williamson, a noted Flash Gordon comic book artist who had grown up idolizing Flash Gordon creator, Alex Raymond. The two issues not drawn by Garzón were drawn by New York City-born and bred artist and illustrator, Frank Bolle.

I received a review copy of Flash Gordon Comic Book Archives Volume 4 because Dark Horse was doing some shelf cleaning, getting rid of some books to make way for review copies of newer titles. I didn’t expect to like this because I mistakenly associated Gold Key Comics with substandard material, mainly because it has been decades since I’ve read a Gold Key comic book. I was wrong to prejudge these Flash Gordon comic books because I actually had a great time reading them.

Warner and Poole stick to the pulp fiction and weird fiction roots of Flash Gordon without being hokey. These are smoothly-written sword-and-fantasy tales that recall Silver Age DC science fiction and fantasy comic book titles. Both writers build tension by spinning Flash Gordon’s fiery, man-of-action nature: never use words when fists can be just as articulate, in diverse conflict scenarios. That is contrasted against the personalities of Gordon’s co-stars. Dale Arden is quick to lay her head on Gordon’s strong chest, but she is something of a woman-of-action herself. Combine her with the eccentric Zarkov, who is also not above kicking some butt, and the Gold Key Flash Gordon is unpredictable. This is because the co-stars are not window dressing simply meant to make Gordon look like the great White hero; Arden and Zarkov are also capable of moving the story forward and resolving problems.

Plus, Warner and Poole are quite inventive when it comes to creating settings and plots. Two that stand out for me are. Flash Gordon #21’s “Wolf in the Fold” is rousing political suspense thriller and moving love story (surrogate father and son). “The Enchanted City” from issue #27 is quirky and engaging.

Both series artists produce good work. Carlos Garzón’s compositional style and design recall both Raymond and Williamson, especially the latter. In many ways, the art is Williamson-inspired or has his visual sensibilities. Garzón’s art on issues #19-20 is not good. After a two-issue break, he returns in Flash Gordon #23 and hits his stride with his best Williamson-inspired work.

However, I prefer Frank Bolle’s two-issue run (#21-22). His solid figure drawing and draftsmanship give Warner’s scripts, for those two issues, added dramatic heft. Perhaps, I like Bolle’s work here so much because it reminds me of one of my favorite artists, the late and still great, Gil Kane.

I am glad to say that I was pleasantly surprised by this collection. I think Flash Gordon fans should definitely consider either purchasing this pricey volume or finding the originals through online dealers. The “pleasant surprises,” like this one are the books that justify archive editions.

B+