Categories
Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (Digital) TV Series

THE BIONIC WOMAN TV SERIES THEME {Possible Cover} (by Music Factory: TV Series, Volume 2: Hits Collection)

SUMMARY:                           RUNNING TIME: 1:25 MIN.

Released by the generically-named Music Factory, this tune provides the opening credits theme to Lindsay Wagner’s vintage 1970’s TV series.  The track appears on Music Factory’s 1996 album: TV Series Vol. 2: Hits Collection

REVIEW:

If this track is a cover, then it’s simply flawless.  It may well be the official version, since the same album also has a complete rendition of “The Six Million Dollar Man” TV theme (including its original voice-overs and sound effects).  For those fans seeking an authentic rendition of The Bionic Woman’s hard-to-find theme, this track is highly recommended. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                10 Stars

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

Categories
Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (Digital) TV Series

THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN TV SERIES THEME {Possible Cover} (by Music Factory: TV Series, Volume 2: Hits Collection)

SUMMARY:                      RUNNING TIME: 1:01 Min.

Released by the generically-named Music Factory, this tune provides the opening credits theme to Lee Majors’ hit 1970’s TV series.  Both the voice-overs and the sound effects are faithfully included.  The track appears on Music Factory’s 1996 album: TV Series Vol. 2: Hits Collection

REVIEW:

If this track is a cover, then it’s simply flawless.  However, it’s probably the official version since the narratives by actor Richard Anderson (as OSI boss Oscar Goldman) and producer Harve Bennett (briefly introducing Steve Austin) are still intact.  Even the computerized background sound effects are exactly the same.  For those fans who seeking a hard-to-find rendition of The Six Million Dollar Man theme, this track is highly recommended. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                  10 Stars

Note: This same album also offers a pristine recording of The Bionic Woman’s TV theme.  

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

Categories
DC-Related Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) MARVEL-Related Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (Digital) TV Series

ADAM WEST’S TO THE RESCUE! (TV Super-Hero Medley) {Cover} (by John Morris Russell & The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra: Superheroes!)

SUMMARY:                            RUNNING TIME: 5:48 MIN.

As an exclusive to the 2013 album, “Superheroes!” by John Morris Russell and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, this cover medley’s gamut runs through three 1950’s-70’s live-action main credits tunes: The Adventures of Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman.  The medley also has the themes of the original Super Friends cartoon series (with Wendy, Marvin, & Wonder Dog) and Spider-Man’s original cartoon series.  The legendary Adam West provides the transitional voice-overs. 

REVIEW:

The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and its choral section should be commended for this well-produced medley seamlessly linking five classic superhero TV themes.  Still, its cheesy magic really belongs to Adam West, as his distinctive (and slightly raspy) voice is a treat to hear.  Whether it is a glowing narration of George Reeves’ Superman theme, introducing the Super-Friends, or  simply announcing, “To the Batmobile!” one last time, his tongue-in-cheek presence imbues this track with pure nostalgia.  As a novelty track, “To The Rescue!” is an all-ages gem!

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:              8½ Stars

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

Categories
Comic Books & Graphic Novels Independent Publishers (Comic Books & Graphic Novels) LOONEY TUNES-Related

TWEETY AND SYLVESTER # 102 (1980 WHITMAN)

Anonymous (No Credits Provided]

SUMMARY:

Published by Whitman (Western Publishing Company, Inc.) for February 1980, this issue consists of:

  • Klondike Cat (6 pages): Sylvester’s dream puts him in Alaska searching for a rare, exotic Tweety in the Yukon.  An instant feud with his sled dog rapidly turns into a nightmare. 
  • The Big Chase (6 pages): Sylvester’s hose prank unleashes a crosstown hot pursuit by the seething bulldog.
  • The Ghoul and the Fool (6 pages): Granny’s new air freshener statue is an exact replica of Tweety.  The canary has some fun at Sylvester’s expense when the feline eats the statue by mistake.
  • Olympic Chump! (6 pages): As he’s a natural athlete, Sylvester ineptly goes into training to join the upcoming 1980 Olympic Games.

REVIEW:

It’s a given that the humor in these four tales is pretty tame.  Of them, “Olympic Chump!” still offers a few fun gags, as does “The Big Chase.”  To Whitman’s credit (as seen in the cover), this issue’s visuals actually are far closer to the characters’ Looney Tunes look than earlier issues, especially in “The Ghoul and the Fool.”  For the sole purpose of amusing Tweety & Sylvester’s kindergarten-and-under fans, this inoffensive comic is a solid choice.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

None.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                  5½ Stars

Categories
Comic Books & Graphic Novels Independent Publishers (Comic Books & Graphic Novels) LOONEY TUNES-Related

TWEETY AND SYLVESTER # 61 (1976 WHITMAN)

Anonymous (No Credits Provided]

SUMMARY:

Published by Whitman (Western Publishing Company, Inc.) for September 1976, this issue consists of:

  • Test Flight (6 pages): Inspired by an aviation museum, Sylvester builds his own contraption to fly the unfriendly skies chasing after Tweety.    
  • Magic Hat Cat (4 pages): Playing amateur magician, Sylvester tries conning Tweety into playing the ‘pull a bird out of the hat’ trick to impress Granny.
  • Fishy Biz (6 pages): As Granny watches a goldfish for a friend, Sylvester bungles an opportunity to go fishing for his catch-of-the-day.
  • Wrong Note (6 pages): Tweety’s new dog whistle means that Sylvester fights back with a ‘canary flute.’  

REVIEW:

It’s a given that the humor in these four tales is pretty tame.  Still, “Wrong Note’s” cute premise might have made a decent cartoon.  The same might be said of “Test Flight.”  Essentially, Whitman continues the same cheap artistic style as Gold Key used for earlier issues in this series.  Curiously, the likeness of ‘Granny’ varies (suggesting that “Fishy Biz” might actually be a Gold Key reprint).  For the sole purpose of briefly amusing Tweety & Sylvester’s ‘6-and-under’ fans, this inoffensive comic is a reasonable choice.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

None.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     5 Stars

Categories
Comic Books & Graphic Novels Independent Publishers (Comic Books & Graphic Novels) LOONEY TUNES-Related

TWEETY AND SYLVESTER # 58 (1976 WHITMAN)

Anonymous (No Credits Provided)

SUMMARY:

Published by Whitman (Western Publishing Company, Inc.) for June 1976 consists of:

  • The Cat-Bird of Alcatraz (7 pages): Jailbird Sylvester explains how he was corrupted as a hungry kitten and set up by Tweety’s buddies for a long prison sentence. 
  • Cat Caper (6 pages): Confusion reigns when Sylvester and the bulldog clash with a burglar.
  • The Babbling Birthday Blues (4 pages): A dejected Sylvester goes on a road trip to celebrate his birthday, but the feline’s mishaps lead to a big surprise.
  • Hi, Ho Sylvester (6 pages): This Lone Ranger spoof has Sylvester & Tweety as ‘The Strange Loner’ and ‘Pronto,’ with Yosemite Sam among their suspects for a stagecoach robbery.

REVIEW:

It’s a given that the humor in these four tales is super-tame.  Still, “Cat-Bird of Alcatraz’s” cute premise might have made a decent cartoon.  The same might be said of “Hi, Ho Sylvester.”  Essentially, Whitman continues the Gold Key’s cheap artistic style for earlier issues in this series.  For the sole purpose of amusing Tweety & Sylvester’s ‘6-and-under’ fans, this inoffensive comic is a reasonable choice.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

None.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:               5 Stars

Categories
Comic Books & Graphic Novels Independent Publishers (Comic Books & Graphic Novels) LOONEY TUNES-Related

TWEETY AND SYLVESTER # 51 (1975 GOLD KEY)

Anonymous (No Credits Provided]

SUMMARY:

Published by Gold Key for November 1975, this issue consists of:

  • The Winning Number (6 pages): Sylvester dreams that winning the lottery means he can hire a staff to serve up his coveted Tweety sandwich. 
  • Be Prepared (6 pages): Saved by a pair of young scouts from his latest predicament, Sylvester realizes that he has to go into serious training to pursue Tweety.  Of course, Tweety makes his own preparations.
  • Play Ball! (6 pages): Recruited as a mascot by the St. Louis Canaries baseball team, Tweety is pursued by Sylvester, as the feline tries getting in on the action.
  • Bad Tweety (6 pages): Trying to get Tweety into trouble with Granny, Sylvester’s sabotage tactics backfire.

REVIEW:

It’s a given that the humor in these four tales is pretty tame stuff.  Among them, “The Winning Number” comes off the least entertaining.  The cheap artwork is barely sufficient, as the generic likeness of ‘Granny’ just looks crummy.  For the sole purpose of briefly amusing Tweety & Sylvester’s ‘6-and-under’ fans, this inoffensive comic could be a decent choice.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

None.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                      4 Stars

Categories
Comic Books & Graphic Novels Independent Publishers (Comic Books & Graphic Novels) LOONEY TUNES-Related

LOONEY TUNES # 8 (1976 GOLD KEY)

Anonymous (No Credits Provided]

SUMMARY:

Published by Gold Key for June 1976, this issue consists of:

  • Tasmanian Goulash (6 pages): Bugs Bunny & Porky Pig scheme to win a $1,000.00 cash prize by entering the Tasmanian Devil in an all-you-can-eat contest.  The gluttonous Devil’s subsequent eating spree causes downtown havoc that Bugs & Porky try to contain.  
  • Mind Your Manners (4 pages): Desperate to repay a $1.00 debt to a thug, Yosemite Sam struggles with Daffy Duck’s game re: proper etiquette.  He calls upon Elmer Fudd to formally introduce them.
  • A Peachy Idea (4 pages): Foghorn Leghorn & Beaky Buzzard teach Henery Hawk a lesson about elaborate traps.
  • Catnap Capers (5 pages): Tweety cons a gullible Sylvester into believing that he is dreaming.  Despite Tweety’s efforts to stop him, Sylvester takes it as creative license to do whatever he wants.
  • Extra Long Division (4 pages): Looking to score a starring role in a TV nature documentary, Wile E. Coyote tries showcasing his ‘genius’ intellect.  He unwisely accepts the Road Runner’s (aka Beep Beep) challenge of a difficult math problem.

Note: Despite her appearance on the cover, Petunia Pig isn’t in this comic.

REVIEW:

It’s no surprise that the purported humor in these five tales is pretty weak.  At least, the cheap-looking artwork is sufficient.  Curiously, in “Extra Long Division,” the Road Runner is billed as ‘Beep Beep,’ and he actually talks in friendly conversations with the Coyote.  That element alone confirms that this comic is the equivalent of a kiddie picture book (or an used coloring book).  For the sole purpose of briefly entertaining the ‘6-and-under’ crowd, this inoffensive pap could be a decent choice.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

None.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                              3 Stars

Categories
Comic Books & Graphic Novels Independent Publishers (Comic Books & Graphic Novels) Movies

THE MUMMY {adaptation of 1932 Boris Karloff movie} (1993 DARK HORSE Comics)

Adapted by Dan Jolley

Art by Tony Harris; Matt Hollingsworth; & Lois Buhalis

Cover Art by Tony Harris

SUMMARY:

This 48-page adaptation of Boris Karloff’s 1932 film is a 1993 collaboration between Dark Horse Comics and Official Universal Studios Monsters.  In 1921, at a British archaeological dig outside Cairo, members of the Reed Expedition (Dr. Joseph Whimple; Dr. Frank Muller; and assistant Ralph) breach a ceremonial box kept within the mummy Imhotep’s tomb they have uncovered.  They interpret that the box supposedly possesses a mystical curse.  While Whimple and Muller argue outside, Ralph encounters a resurrected Imhotep.

In 1932, a follow-up expedition has Whimple’s adult son, Frank, help find an artifact linked to the tomb of Imhotep’s would-be bride: Princess Ankhsenamun.  The corpulent Ardeth Bey of Cairo offers to lead the archaeologists to the site where they can excavate her tomb.  Once their discovery makes the news, Ankhsenamun’s mummy is moved to a Cairo museum.  Bey contemplates how to reunite with his ancient lover. 

At his Cairo home, an aged Muller has a lovely British-Egyptian ward, Helen Grosvenor, who is mutually attracted to Frank.  Muller and the Whimples encounter Ardeth Bey, at last realizing his horrific true nature.  To rescue a mesmerized Helen from Bey’s scheme to reincarnate his fiancée, who dares face the wrath of the Mummy?             

REVIEW:

Supported by mostly solid visuals (especially the decrepit Ardeth Bey), this adaptation proves a faithful recreation of Karloff’s horror classic.  Much of the credit (including for his cover image) goes to artist Tony Harris, as his work is a convincing argument to view the movie.  Though he doesn’t have enough pages to develop the characters (or at least add much depth), writer Dan Jolley smartly leaves enough gaps for readers to make necessary inferences.  Good read!   

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

None.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:               7 Stars

Categories
Comic Books & Graphic Novels Independent Publishers (Comic Books & Graphic Novels) TV Series

THE NEW ARCHIES # 8 (1988 ARCHIE Comics)

Written by (See Credits Below)

Art by (See Credits Below)

Cover Art by Henry Scarpelli

SUMMARY:

Published by Archie Comics for September 1988, this TV cartoon series tie-in features mullet-wearing tween Archie and his childhood pals.  This issue offers the following stories:

“Very Fishy Story” (5 pages).  Script by Mike Pellowski, with art by Stan Goldberg; Henry Scarpelli; Bill Yoshida; & Barry Grossman.  At Riverdale’s annual Jr. Fishing Derby, Archie & Jughead stay busy baiting Reggie in an effort to win the first-prize canoe.

“Star Bright” (1 page).  Script & Penciling by Joe Edwards, with inks by Hy Eisman.  Young astronomer Eugene confounds Moose.  

“A Medieval Knightmare” (11 pages).  Script by Mike Pellowski, with art by Doug Crane & Henry Scarpelli.  At a medieval fair, Archie inadvertently ends with a magical book.  The book transports him into a dreamy medieval world where his family and friends need him to play knight against a fire-breathing dragon. 

“Forest Nuts” (5 pages).  The script and artwork aren’t credited.  The boys (Archie, Jughead, Eugene, & Reggie) ineptly go camping, not realizing the rejected girls (Betty, Amani, & Veronica) have their own camping plans. 

REVIEW:

Sporting middling artwork, these tepid stories struggle to justify a single read.  Of them, the fishing tale wins, but it’s hardly saying much.  Hazarding a guess, even first graders will likely be bored with this comic.    

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The inside front cover is a black-and-white public service message re: AIDS research. Moose offers a page of unscramble-the-riddles.  The back inside cover is an “Archie Club News” column where two winning letters earned small cash prizes.     

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     3 Stars