Showing posts with label First Comics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label First Comics. Show all posts

Thursday, March 24, 2022

#IReadsYou Review: STARSLAYER #10: Grimjack Begins

STARSLAYER #10
FIRST COMICS

STORY: John Ostrander
PENCILS: Lenin Delsol
INKS: Mike Gustovich
COLORS: Janice Cohen
LETTERS: Janice Chiang
EDITOR: Mike Gold
COVER: Lenin Delsol and Mike Gustovich
32pp, Color, $1.00 U.S., $1.25 CAN (November 1983)

Starslayer created by Mike Grell

“Bounty”

Starslayer was a comic book series published by First Comics in the mid-1980s.  It began as a six-issue miniseries, Starslayer: The Log of the Jolly Roger, created by writer-artist, Mike Grell.  Starslayer focused on Torin Mac Quillon, a Celtic warrior from the time of the Roman Empire, who is pulled into the distant future by Tamara, a descendant of his wife after she remarried.  Torin joins the crew of the spaceship, “the Jolly Roger,” in their fight against the oppressive regime that is ruling the Earth.

Starslayer #10 (“Bounty”) opens on the planet, Corindubar, where Torin and Tamara hope to obtain a replacement for the cracked “infinity unit” in the Jolly Roger's warp drive.  They also find bounty hunters looking to claim the bounty on their heads, but unbeknownst to them, an immortal bounty hunter named Black Thom McKuen, is also stalking them.

Later, “The Rapter” continues to hunt the Jolly Roger.  Then, Torin and Tamara get stuck with a new crew mate, Crayne, owner of the recently destroyed space port, “Tao VII.”  And Crayne believes that Torin and Tamara owe him.

Meanwhile, the original owners of the Jolly Rogers, an old-Earth blood family, the D'Orsinis, want the ship back.  And the D'Orsini matriarch, The Comtessa Lavinia, alerts all family members in this quadrant – report any sightings of Jolly Roger.

THE LOWDOWN:  Reading the adventures of the Jolly Roger isn't really the reason I bought a copy of Starslayer #10, but I did enjoy the story and the art.  It is a frivolous and fun space opera; imagine Star Wars if it focused on Han Solo and Chewbacca's adventures as smugglers.  I might even go back to Starslayers's beginnings; I am really enjoying it.  I second what the former magazine, Comics Scene, said at the times, Starslayer is captivating.

I also discovered an interesting bit of information about one on this series' creative team.  Starslayer's lead artist at this point in its run, the British-born Lenin Delsol, is now an art educator, fine artist, and portrait painter.

----------------------------------------------------

GRIMJACK
Created by John Ostrander and Timothy Truman

Mortal Gods
STORY: John Ostrander
ART: Timothy Truman
COLORS: Janice Cohen
LETTERS: John Workman
EDITOR: Mike Gold

The backup feature in Starslayer #10 introduces the character Grimjack, who would go on to appear in Starslayer issues #10 to #17.  Grimjack would later receive his own title in the summer of 1984.

Grimjack” is the street name of John Gaunt, a sword-for-hire who is also ex-paramilitary, war veteran, and former child gladiator.  Grimjack operates from Munden's Bar in the Pit, a slum area of Cynosure, a pan-dimensional city that connected all the dimensions (or multiverse) that existed in titles published by First Comics.

The introductory Grimjack story is the two-part “Mortal Gods.”  It is written by John Ostrander; drawn by Timothy Truman; colored by Janice Cohen; and lettered by John Workman.  In the story, the followers of the god of blood and war, “Zago,” have invaded the forest lands of the people called the “Kyrians.”  Zago plans to have the sands of his desert overrun the forest lands.  The Kyrians' high priestess, Elvana, seeks the help of their god, Manwyyes.

Elvana's spell and chanting somehow transports her to Cynosure, the city where the multiverse meets.  Cross a street and you might cross a dimension.  Someone points her to Grimjack as the man who can help her find her god, and what he shows her is utterly shocking.  Manwyyes is living as “Manny Weese” alias “Weevil,” a drunk, who also happens to be a friend of Grimjack's.  What's left is for Manny to reveal how he became a god and for Grimjack to kill Zago, a god.

THE LOWDOWN:  I have read very few Grimjack comic books, but I have been planning on getting into this character for decades.  I finally forced myself to start.  The first thing that strikes me about “Mortal Gods” is how beautiful Tim Truman's illustrations are.  The page design carries the reader's eyes across the pages, and the art has so many layers and such rich textures that I found myself drawn into the world of Cynosure.  The characters' expression are varied and feel authentic, especially Grimjack's.  This is the work of a young artist raring to go.

Janice Cohen rich colors make Truman's illustrations pop off the page and bring the world of Cynosure to life.  Readers familiar with Truman's work will recognize the artist's unique worm-inspired take on monsters and demons, and it all looks good under Cohen's colors.

Do I really have to say how wonderful the lettering by John Workman is?  No, I don't, because you already know that...

I do want to emphasize that Grimjack's debut is a 16-page story told over two issues, Starslayer issues #10-11.  This is the kind of serialized comic book story that will make some readers want to keep reading.  Combine Grimjack with the main Starslayer story, and the result is an off-beat, unique and delightful science fiction comic book … that I have waited too long to read.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Grimjack, Tim Truman, First Comics titles, and unique sci-fi comics will want Starslayer.

A
8 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"



The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

-------------------------------

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Thursday, January 21, 2021

#IReadsYou Review: THE BADGER #1

BADGER No. 1
DEVIL'S DUE/1FIRST COMICS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Mike Baron
ART: Jim Fern
LETTERS: Willie Schubert
COLORS: Paul Mounts
COVER: Val Mayerik with Andres Esperanza
VARIANT COVERS: Paul Pope; Bill Reinhold
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (February 2016)

Badger created by Mike Baron and Jeff Butler

Rated “M” for mature readers

Badger is a comic book superhero character created by writer Mike Baron and artist Jeff Butler.  Badger first appeared in the comic book, Badger #1 (cover date: July 1983), published by Capital Comics.  After Capital Comics closed, Baron moved Badger to First Comics, where the character appeared in a titular series until 1991.

Badger was mostly set in Madison, Wisconsin.  The lead character was Norbert Sykes, a Vietnam War veteran who suffered from multiple personalities.  Sykes' most dominant personality was “Badger,” a martial arts expert who had mastered untold numbers of “esoteric and arcane” martial arts.  Badger was also a self-styled crime fighter and costumed vigilante.

After First Comics, other Badger comic book titles were published by Dark Horse Comics, Image Comics, and IDW Publishing.  First Comics was recently revived as “1First Comics” and has united with Devil's Due Productions to form a joint publishing unit.  The new 1First Comics has also revived Badger.  The new Badger comic book series is written by Mike Baron; drawn by Jim Fern; colored by Paul Mounts; and lettered by Willie Schubert.

Badger #1 opens as Norbert Sykes enlists in the United States Army.  Eventually, Sykes is placed in the Army's “Explosive Ordinance Disposal” (a “bomb squad”), and is assigned a puppy that he names “Otis” as his partner.  Sykes and Otis eventually become an outstanding insurgent/terrorist-fighting duo, but the traumas and tragedies forces a different side of Norbert Sykes to the surface.

Over the years, I often wondered what happened to Mike Baron, who enjoyed some success as a writer at DC Comics and at Marvel Comics in the late 1980s and into the early 1990s.  After the late 1990s, he seemed to disappear from comic books, except on occasion when Nexus, a comic book series he created with artist Steve Rude, returned.  I think Baron wrote English script adaptations for manga published by Del Rey Manga.

I also occasionally thought about Badger, a comic book character I had enjoyed for a number of years.  Reading this new Badger #1 reminded that what I truly missed was Mike Baron writing Badger.  Baron has merely changed Norbert Sykes from a Vietnam vet to a veteran of the Global War on Terror (or whatever it is called).

Baron offers a Badger #1 that is an easy-to-digest origin issue.  In this gone-on-too-long age of “decompressed” comic book storytelling, Badger #1 is stunningly efficient, giving readers most of what they need to understand Norbert Sykes and to go forward with the series.  A reader could stop here and feel that he read a good single-issue story.  I don't know how long the new 1First Comics will last, but if this new Badger can be as inventive and as offbeat as the long-running 1980s series, we are in for a treat.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

-------------------------

Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s).


Monday, October 22, 2018

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for October 24, 2018

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

AUG181997    ADVENTURE VAN #3 (OF 5)    $3.99
AUG181999    AMULET 1-8 BOX SET    $103.92
AUG182189    ANDY LIFE & TIMES OF ANDY WARHOL GN    $34.99
AUG181662    ANNE BONNIE #7 (RES)    $3.99
AUG181594    ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #293    $6.99
AUG181615    ASPEN UNIVERSE DECIMATION TP VOL 01    $14.99
AUG182116    ASTERIX AND THE CHARIOT RACE SC VOL 37    $12.99
MAY181668    AVENGERS #1 MIDTOWN EXC JASON AARON & ED MCGINNESS CVR    $29.99
JUN181341    BABYTEETH #13 (MR)    $3.99
JUN181670    BAD FRIENDS GN (MR)    $21.95
JUN181907    BANANA SUNDAY GN    $12.99
JUL181537    BARON RAT ONE-SHOT    $1.00
JUN182268    BATTLE ANGEL ALITA DELUXE ED HC VOL 05    $29.99
MAR182129    BELLE BEAST HUNTER #5 (OF 6) CVR A QUAH    $3.99
MAR182130    BELLE BEAST HUNTER #5 (OF 6) CVR B RIVEIRO    $3.99
MAR182131    BELLE BEAST HUNTER #5 (OF 6) CVR C ANACLETO    $3.99
MAR182132    BELLE BEAST HUNTER #5 (OF 6) CVR D ABRERA    $3.99
AUG181468    BEYONDERS #3    $3.99
AUG181998    BLASTOSAURUS #3    $3.99
AUG182258    BLOODBORNE #6 HEALING THIRST CVR A JESKE (MR)    $3.99
AUG182259    BLOODBORNE #6 HEALING THIRST CVR B KOWALSKI (MR)    $3.99
AUG182260    BLOODBORNE #6 HEALING THIRST CVR C WORM (MR)    $3.99
AUG182073    CATALYST PRIME INCIDENTALS #13    $3.99
AUG182337    CAVEBOY DAVE YR GN VOL 02 NOT SO FABOO    $12.99
JUL181539    CYKO KO #2 (OF 3)    $1.50
AUG181458    DEAD KINGS #1 CVR A DOW SMITH    $3.99
AUG181459    DEAD KINGS #1 CVR B GAYDOS    $3.99
JUL181742    DEADBEATS OMNIBUS    $25.00
MAY181621    DF ACTION COMICS #1000 B&W SGN SNYDER EXC    $80.00
AUG181891    DF ACTION COMICS #1000 KING B&W WRAP SGN EXC    $80.00
AUG181893    DF ACTION COMICS #1000 TOMASI B&W WRAP SGN EXC    $49.99
AUG181862    DF AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1 HUGHES SKETCH SEPIA EXC    $49.99
JUN181703    DF AVENGERS #1 BLANK HAESER SGN IRON MAN SKETCH    $89.99
AUG181889    DF BATMAN #50 MIDTOWN JUSKO GRAFFITI VAR    $39.99
AUG181874    DF CAPTAIN AMERICA #1 MIDTOWN CAPTAIN VIRGIN EXC    $39.99
AUG181873    DF CAPTAIN AMERICA #1 MIDTOWN GOLDEN AGE EXC    $29.99
AUG181872    DF CAPTAIN AMERICA #1 MIDTOWN MODERN AGE EXC    $29.99
FEB181507    DF CAPTAIN AMERICA #700 STAN LEE GOLD SGN ED    $700.00
AUG181875    DF COSMIC GHOST RIDER #1 MIDTOWN WARD VAR    $29.99
MAY181661    DF DOMINO #1 MIDTOWN SEONG EXC    $19.91
AUG181879    DF GWENPOOL #1 HAESER LTD PINK SGN REMARKED    $99.99
MAR181601    DF INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #600 GOLD SGN STAN LEE    $600.00
JAN181609    DF MIGHTY THOR #700 GOLD ELITE STAN LEE SGN ED    $700.00
JUN181698    DF WONDER WOMAN #51 ORLANDO SGN ARTGERM LAU CVR    $29.99
AUG181938    DISNEY MASTERS COLLECTORS HC BOX SET 1 & 2 SCARPA BOTTARO (C    $59.99
AUG181939    DISNEY MASTERS COLLECTORS HC BOX SET 3 & 4 MURRY JIPPES    $59.99
AUG181940    DISNEY MASTERS GIFT HC BOX SET VOL 1 & 3 MICKEY MOUSE    $59.99
AUG181941    DISNEY MASTERS GIFT HC BOX SET VOL 2 & 4 DONALD DUCK    $59.99
AUG182166    DIVINICA #4 NEW PTG    $3.99
MAY182036    DOCTOR WHO LOST DIMENSION TP VOL 02    $16.99
AUG181816    DOG SOLDIERS (MR)    $19.99
JUL181884    DRAWN TO BERLIN HC COMIC REFUGEE STORIES NEW EUROPE (MR)    $24.99
JUL182454    DREAMIN SUN GN VOL 08    $12.99
JUL181540    EDEN #2 (OF 4)    $1.50
SEP182267    FAIRY TAIL SIDE STORIES GN VOL 03 LIGHTNING GODS    $10.99
AUG181944    FANTE BUKOWSKI GN VOL 03 THREE PERFECT FAILURE    $16.99
AUG182523    FIRE FORCE GN VOL 12    $10.99
AUG182573    FLOWERS OF EVIL COMPLETE ED TP VOL 04 (MR)    $17.95
AUG181545    FOXTROT COLLECTION TP MOTHER IS COMING    $18.99
JUN181841    FTL YALL GN    $30.00
JUL182431    GHOST IN SHELL GLOBAL NEURAL NETWORK HC PX ED (MR)    $29.99
AUG182040    GIRL WHO MARRIED A SKULL OTHER AFRICAN STORIES GN    $15.00
JUL182304    GRIMM FAIRY TALES #22 CVR A DIAZ    $3.99
JUL182305    GRIMM FAIRY TALES #22 CVR B VITORINO    $3.99
JUL182306    GRIMM FAIRY TALES #22 CVR C KROME    $3.99
JUL182307    GRIMM FAIRY TALES #22 CVR D GOH    $3.99
AUG182002    HIDDEN WITCH GN    $12.99
AUG182003    HIDDEN WITCH HC GN    $24.99
AUG181478    HIGH HEAVEN #2 (MR)    $3.99
AUG182190    HP LOVECRAFT FOUR CLASSIC HORROR STORIES HC GN    $35.00
JUL182459    IF ITS FOR MY DAUGHTER DEFEAT DEMON LORD GN VOL 02    $12.99
JUL182152    JOHN CARPENTER TALES OF SCI FI STANDOFF #4 (OF 5) (MR)    $3.99
AUG181786    LADY DEATH PIN UPS #1 LADY DEATH RIDER DAMAGED ED    $20.00
AUG181785    LADY DEATH PIN UPS #1 LADY DEATH RIDER ED    $20.00
AUG181647    LADY MECHANIKA OVERSIZED HC VOL 03    $28.99
AUG182109    LONG CON #4    $3.99
JUL182118    LONG LOST PART TWO #3    $3.99
AUG181475    MARK TWAINS NIAGARA BOOK 01 (OF 2)    $8.99
AUG182041    MEAL GN    $15.00
JUL182102    MISTY TP VOL 03    $16.99
JUL182462    MONONOKE SHARING GN VOL 03    $12.99
JUL182464    MY MONSTER SECRET GN VOL 13    $12.99
AUG181543    NATHAN HALES HAZARDOUS TALES HC VOL 08 LAFAYETTE    $13.99
SEP181358    NORTHSTARS HC VOL 01 WELCOME TO SNOWVILLE (RES)    $9.99
AUG181605    NU WAY #4 CVR A KONAT    $3.99
AUG181606    NU WAY #4 CVR B MARION    $3.99
JUL182466    NURSE HITOMIS MONSTER INFIRMARY GN VOL 08 (MR)    $12.99
AUG181547    PEARLS BEFORE SWINE TP PEARLS WRONG TURN    $18.99
AUG182389    PEEK A BOO TP    $19.99
AUG182058    PETIT HC BOOK 01 OGRE GODS (MR)    $24.99
AUG181524    PHOEBE & HER UNICORN GN VOL 08 IN UNICORN THEATER    $9.99
AUG188429    PIPER GN    $17.99
AUG182320    QUANTUM & WOODY (2017) #11 CVR B ULTRA FOIL SHAW    $3.99
JUL189239    REJECTED ONE SHOT 2ND PRINT (MR)    $5.99
AUG182167    REM 8 #2 NEW PTG (MR)    $3.99
AUG182168    REM 8 #3 NEW PTG (MR)    $3.99
AUG182169    REM 8 #4 NEW PTG (MR)    $3.99
AUG182384    REVENGE OF WONDERLAND #4 (OF 6) CVR A CHEN    $3.99
AUG182385    REVENGE OF WONDERLAND #4 (OF 6) CVR B VITORINO    $3.99
AUG182386    REVENGE OF WONDERLAND #4 (OF 6) CVR C MOS    $3.99
AUG182387    REVENGE OF WONDERLAND #4 (OF 6) CVR D METCALF    $3.99
JUN182022    RIVERS OF LONDON BOX SET ED    $49.99
AUG181826    SANITY & TALLULAH GN    $12.99
AUG181827    SANITY & TALLULAH HC GN    $21.99
SEP182282    SEVEN DEADLY SINS SEVEN DAYS GN VOL 01    $10.99
AUG182310    SHADOWMAN (2018) #8 (NEW ARC) CVR A ZONJIC    $3.99
AUG182311    SHADOWMAN (2018) #8 (NEW ARC) CVR B GRANT    $3.99
AUG182312    SHADOWMAN (2018) #8 (NEW ARC) CVR C BODENHEIM    $3.99
AUG182080    SHORT & SKINNY GN    $12.99
AUG182081    SHORT & SKINNY HC GN    $24.99
JUN181389    SKYMASTERS SPACE FORCE COMP SUNDAYS 1959-1960 HC (RES)    $34.95
AUG181607    SOULFIRE VOL 7 #4 CVR A LADJOUZE    $3.99
AUG181608    SOULFIRE VOL 7 #4 CVR B RISSO    $3.99
JUL181744    SOULSEARCHERS AND COMPANY OMNIBUS    $25.00
JUL181534    SPOOKHOUSE 2 #4 (OF 4)    $3.99
MAR181098    STARGATE ATLANTIS SINGULARITY #3 MAIN HILINSKI CVR    $3.99
MAR181099    STARGATE ATLANTIS SINGULARITY #3 PHOTO CVR    $3.99
MAR181100    STARGATE ATLANTIS SINGULARITY #3 PREMIUM FLASHBACK PHOTO LTD    $9.99
JUL181542    TINSELTOWN #4 (OF 5)    $1.50
AUG182527    TO YOUR ETERNITY GN VOL 07    $12.99
AUG182528    TOKYO TARAREBA GIRLS GN VOL 03    $12.99
JUN181319    VAMPBLADE SEASON 3 #6 CVR A COSTA (MR)    $4.99
JUN181320    VAMPBLADE SEASON 3 #6 CVR B COSTA RISQUE (MR)    $4.99
JUN181321    VAMPBLADE SEASON 3 #6 CVR C AXEBONE (MR)    $4.99
JUN181322    VAMPBLADE SEASON 3 #6 CVR D AXEBONE RISQUE (MR)    $4.99
JUN181323    VAMPBLADE SEASON 3 #6 CVR E MENDOZA (MR)    $4.99
JUN181324    VAMPBLADE SEASON 3 #6 CVR F MENDOZA RISQUE (MR)    $4.99
AUG181506    VAMPIRE PA TP    $19.99
JUN181442    VAMPIRONICA #4 CVR A SMALLWOOD (RES)    $3.99
JUN181443    VAMPIRONICA #4 CVR B FRANCAVILLA (RES)    $3.99
JUN181444    VAMPIRONICA #4 CVR C STAPLES (RES)    $3.99
JUL182474    VERSAILLES OF DEAD GN VOL 01 (MR)    $12.99
NOV171713    WALT KELLY POGO COMP DELL COMICS HC VOL 06    $50.00
AUG182191    WOLF GN    $24.99
JUL188910    WORLD WAR II COMIX GUADALCANAL HAD IT ALL    $4.95
AUG182322    X-O MANOWAR (2017) #20 CVR A ROCAFORT    $3.99
AUG182323    X-O MANOWAR (2017) #20 CVR B QUAH    $3.99
AUG182324    X-O MANOWAR (2017) #20 CVR C ORZU    $3.99
JUL182476    YOKAI RENTAL SHOP GN VOL 04    $12.99
JUL181543    ZERO JUMPER #4 (OF 4)    $1.50
AUG182186    ZINNOBER #5    $3.99

MAGAZINES
JUL182098    2000 AD PACK SEPTEMBER 2018    $27.00
JUL182099    2000 AD PROG #2100 SPECIAL    $7.99
AUG181801    COMIC SHOP NEWS #1636    $PI
AUG182087    COMICS REVUE PRESENTS OCT 2018    $19.95
JUL182071    DOCTOR WHO MAGAZINE #530    $11.99
JUL181878    FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND #289 DOUG JONES VARIANT CVR    $29.99
JUL182101    JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE #400    $16.00
AUG182082    LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS #41    $10.95
JUL182042    NON SPORT UPDATE VOL 29 #5    $5.99
AUG182065    ROLLED AND TOLD #2    $7.99

BOOKS
SEP182074    ALISON BECHDEL CONVERSATIONS SC    $25.00
JUN182302    ANCIENT MAGUS BRIDE SUPPLEMENT SC    $13.99
AUG182436    ART OF MAGIC GATHERING SLIPCASE HC CONCEPTS & LEGENDS    $39.99
AUG181775    ART OF WRECK IT RALPH 2 RALPH BREAKS INTERNET HC    $40.00
AUG182170    BATMAN CHRONICLES OF THE DARK KNIGHT HC    $20.00
JUL182477    BOOGIEPOP .LIGHT NOVEL OMNIBUS VOL 01 (MR)    $18.99
AUG183180    COOL BUILDS IN MINECRAFT SC    $8.99
JUL182233    D&D ART & ARCANA VISUAL HIST SPEC ED BOXED BOOK EPHEMERA    $125.00
JUL181958    DOCTOR WHO COMP HIST HC VOL 80 12TH DOCTOR STORIES 262-263 (    $18.99
SEP181566    DOCTOR WHO TWELVE ANGELS WEEPING HC    $17.99
AUG182220    DUNGEONS & DRAGONS ART AND ARCANA VISUAL HIST HC    $50.00
JUN181964    ERIC STANTON & HIST OF BIZARRE UNDERGROUND HC (MR)    $29.99
SEP182804    FORTNITE GUIDE TO STAYING ALIVE TIPS AND TRICKS SC    $9.99
JUL182478    GRIMGAR OF FANTASY & ASH LIGHT NOVEL VOL 08    $13.99
AUG182171    HARRY POTTER HOGWARTS CASTLE & STICKER KIT    $12.95
AUG182035    HARRY POTTER POP UP BOOK GUIDE TO HOGWARTS    $75.00
AUG182285    JONESY NINE LIVES ON NOSTROMO HC    $14.95
JUL189042    JUMBO MUMBO SC (MR)    $24.99
AUG182004    KNIGHTS VS. DINOSAURS ILLUSTRATED NOVEL    $16.99
AUG182140    LEAGUE OF REGRETTABLE SIDEKICKS HC    $24.95
JUL182116    LEGO STAR WARS OFF FORCE TRAINING MANUAL W FIGURE    $12.99
AUG181919    MAGIC THE GATHERING CARDS UNOFF ULT COLLECTORS GUIDE SC    $27.99
AUG182011    MAKING OF PLANET OF THE APES HC    $60.00
AUG182192    MENTAL LOAD FEMINIST COMICS GN    $18.95
AUG181418    MONSTERS OF WEEK COMP CRITICAL COMPANION TO X-FILES    $30.00
AUG182281    OBSESSED WITH STAR TREK SC    $22.95
AUG182014    STAR TREK DESIGNING STARSHIPS HC VOL 01 ENTERPRISES & BEYOND    $29.95
JUN182305    TRUE TENCHI MUYO NOVEL SC VOL 02 (MR)    $14.99

Monday, October 23, 2017

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for October 25, 2017

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

JUN171351    ADVENTURE TIME MATHEMATICAL ED HC VOL 09    $24.99
AUG171815    AHO GIRL (CLUELESS GIRL) GN VOL 03    $12.99
AUG172216    AKAME GA KILL GN VOL 12    $13.00
AUG171241    ALL NEW SOULFIRE #8 CVR A CAFARO    $3.99
AUG171242    ALL NEW SOULFIRE #8 CVR B TRAN    $3.99
AUG171151    ANNE OF GREEN GABLES GN    $10.99
JUN171988    ANNO DRACULA TP    $19.99
AUG171228    ARCHIE 1000 PAGE COMICS FESTIVAL TP    $14.99
AUG171229    ARCHIE COMICS ANNUAL DIGEST #283    $6.99
AUG171523    ASH VS AOD #4 CVR A SCHOONOVER    $3.99
AUG171524    ASH VS AOD #4 CVR B VARGAS    $3.99
AUG171525    ASH VS AOD #4 CVR C QUALANO    $3.99
MAY171360    BARRACUDA GN VOL 06 DELIVERANCE    $15.95
AUG171308    BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA OLD MAN JACK #2 MAIN & MIX    $3.99
AUG171309    BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA OLD MAN JACK #2 SUBSCRIPTION ACT    $3.99
AUG172200    BLACK BUTLER GN VOL 24    $13.00
JUL171820    BLACK FLAME #7 (OF 7)    $3.99
JUN172229    BLACK SABLE #2 (OF 6) CVR A JOHNSON    $3.99
JUN172230    BLACK SABLE #2 (OF 6) CVR B DIAZ    $3.99
JUN172231    BLACK SABLE #2 (OF 6) CVR C CASAS    $3.99
JUN172232    BLACK SABLE #2 (OF 6) CVR D DERENICK    $3.99
AUG172109    BLOODSHOT SALVATION #2 CVR A ROCAFORT    $3.99
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Friday, January 8, 2016

Review: JON SABLE, FREELANCE #1

JON SABLE, FREELANCE No. 1
FIRST COMICS

[This review originally appeared on Patreon.]

STORY/ART: Mike Grell
LETTERS: Peter Iro
COLORS: Janice Cohen
EDITOR: Mike Gold
32pp, Color, $1.00 U.S., $1.25 CAN (June 1983)

“The Iron Monster!”

Jon Sable, Freelance was a comic book series created, written, and drawn by Mike Grell.  In 1983, it was one of the first comic book series released by the then fledgling publisher, First Comics.  The series lasted 56 issues from 1983 to 1988.  There was a follow-up series (Sable) and a reprint series (Mike Grell's Sable).   After the demise of First Comics, Grell produced new comics either featuring or starring Jon Sable, including two miniseries over the last decade.

Jon Sable, Freelance focused on Jonathan Sable, a bounty hunter and mercenary who previously had been an athlete in the 1972 Munich Olympic Games.  After living, working, and experiencing tragedy in Africa, Sable returned to the United States.  He became a freelance mercenary, but led a secret, double life as “B.B. Flemm,” children's book author.

Jon Sable, Freelance #1 (“The Iron Monster!”) opens with Sable as “B.B. Flemm” being interviewed by a New York City television station.  Returning home that night, he finds three intruders whom he quickly dispatches.  However, the men were a test from someone who wants to be Sable's latest client.

Although he is not addressed directly by name, President Ronald Reagan is that client.  The President is scheduled to speak before the United Nations the following evening, but he has information that there will be an assassination attempt on him.  Sable accepts the assignment to stop the assassin, who turns out to be someone with whom Sable once worked.

Jon Sable, Freelance, as I remember it, had some similarities to a television crime drama.  It was like a combination of CBS' “The Equalizer,” NBC's “Banacek,” and a little of ABC's “Hart to Hart.”  The series read like a weekly drama, even when the story ran over more than one issue.  There was a soap opera quality to Jon Sable, Freelance, but instead of melodrama, there is a sense of mystery.

I think what made the series such an attractive read was Mike Grell's lush artwork.  His solid draftsmanship was defined by tight compositions, smooth brushwork, and delicate feathering.  The art often had a painterly quality, so the graphical storytelling sometimes seemed like narrative painting.  Every panel informed the reader than Jon Sable, Freelance was a labor of love by Grell.

I found Jon Sable, Freelance #1 at the Louisiana Comic Con in Lafayette, LA (October 17th and 18th, 2015), and it only cost me one dollar.  I hope I encounter the retailer, Big M Comics (?), at another convention.  He had lots of issues of Jon Sable, Freelance.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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