Category: Independent Publishers (Comic Books & Graphic Novels)

Written by Paul Ruditis

Art by Derek Baron; Dan Haberkorn; Carol Wood; Dave Hoover; & David Seidman

Cover Art ‘A” by Al Rio & Jose Cano. Cover Art ‘B’ by David Seidman

SUMMARY:

Released in June 2010 by Zenescope Entertainment Inc., this 29-page prologue (also known as The Sourcebook) is a Charmed overview setting up a comic book sequel.  Written in the archaic text style of the show’s “Book of Shadows,” the central Halliwell characters and pertinent magical spells are introduced.  A series glossary and yearly summaries of the show’s eight seasons are also offered.  The issue ends with a four-page sneak preview of Charmed # 1, as Piper Halliwell and her three young children encounter some monstrous mischief in the family kitchen.  Zenescope’s adaptation is effectively ‘Season 9,’ set eighteen months after the TV series finale.

REVIEW:

Though this issue is mostly text, Charmed # 0 is an excellent briefing.  The four-page series preview demonstrates that Issue # 1 is reasonably well-illustrated and makes a good faith effort recreating the original TV series’ ambiance.  Further, this resource (including artist David Seidman’s stylish Cover B incorporating head shots of actresses Holly Marie Combs; Alyssa Milano; and Rose McGowan) makes a nice keepsake for loyal fans.  In the text, cast photos include Shannen Doherty; Julian McMahon; Finola Hughes; and Kaley Cuoco, along with a series of classy sketched renditions of various characters and scenes.  The only downside for younger fans is Zenescope’s sleazy back cover advertisement for its website depicting a scantily-clad sorceress.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Both covers appear as thumbnail images on the inside front cover.  The fifteen TV episodes from which text for the ‘Book of Shadows’ are also identified on the same page.

BRIAN’S 10-STAR RATING:                              8 Stars

Co-Written by Paul Ruditis & Raven Gregory

Art by Dave Hoover; Milen Parvanou; & Jim Campbell

Cover Art ‘B’ by David Seidman

SUMMARY:

Entitled “No Rest for the Wicca,” it was released for August 2010 by Zenescope Entertainment Inc.  Paige Halliwell’s journal entry provides a brief introduction.  Piper and Phoebe attend their friend Brittany’s funeral, only to discover that her corpse has aged into an old woman – just as she was ten years before when the Charmed Ones saved her from the demonic Javna.  At the local high school, Paige finds a reluctant new male recruit for the Magic School.  In the hellish underworld, serial killer couple Neena & Hogan answer to an unknown evil spirit, as they are methodically killing off the innocents the Charmed Ones previously saved.   

REVIEW:

In spite of an intriguing storyline worthy of the TV series, this issue’s middling dialogue is too simplistic.  Still, the co-writers do a serviceable job getting their plot across to readers.  Benefiting from the main cast’s likenesses, the glossy, watercolor-like visuals also do their job well enough.  Overall, Charmed # 2 represents a solid start for Zenescope’s adaptation.  There’s enough potential here for fans to consider coming back for more.   

Parental Note: Including the back cover, this issue’s last several pages are Zenescope-related ads depicting scantily-clad women hovering between cheesecake/”good girl” artwork and soft porn.  It’s a sleazy contrast to the company’s tasteful Charmed adaptation.  

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

All three covers appear as thumbnail images on the first page.  Cover A’s wraparound design is by Greg Horn.  The 2010 limited-edition Fan Expo exclusive cover’s artist isn’t identified. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     7 Stars

Written by (Uncredited)

Art by (Uncredited)

Cover Art by (Uncredited)

SUMMARY:

Published for March 1994 by Harvey Comics under its Harvey Classics imprint, this issue is entitled “Pink Christmas.”  There isn’t any indication whether or not the single story is really a reprint.  A homeless and famished Pink Panther desperately spends Christmas Eve trying to score a free meal and avoid freezing.       

REVIEW:

Unlike his cartoons, this Pink Panther actually talks, which doesn’t help the well-intentioned script much.  Other than a few mildly amusing gags, the kid-friendly story at least has a poignant last page.  Sporting decent artwork, this comic is at best an okay read.       

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

While the artistic team isn’t named, the inside front cover conveys Harvey’s administrative players.  A coloring page promotes the “We’re Back!” movie.  A single page depicts black-and-white drawings from Harvey Comics fans.  A letters-and-answers column is supposedly answered by ‘Little Lotta;’ ‘Richie Rich;’ ‘Baby Huey;’ and ‘Hot Stuff.’  The back inside cover hypes Issue # 6, though, awkwardly enough, this issue’s same cover image is used.      

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     3 Stars

Written by Joss Whedon & Brett Matthews

Art by Will Conrad; Michelle Madsen; & Michael Heisler

Cover Art by Adam Hughes

SUMMARY:

Published by Dark Horse Comics for March 2008, the lead-off of this three-part mini-series is untitled.  Chased away from a museum heist, the Serenity’s crew ingeniously absconds with a state-of-the-art, tank-like jet pursuing them.  Incensed that his jet prototype has been swiped, the manufacturer suspects that mercenary Mal Reynolds engineered the theft.  Making love, Inara and Ephraim’s tryst may prove deadly.  Given a tip, the Serenity crew sets out after a hidden cache of illicit loot that their underworld buyer wants to trade for the prototype. 

REVIEW:

Citing Adam Hughes’ spot-on cover art as an example, this comic’s imagery is ideal for Serenity fans.  The interior artwork, in particular, accurately captures the likenesses of actors Nathan Fillion and Gina Torres.  Hence, the roguish Mal Reynolds makes a terrific amalgam of Han Solo and Indiana Jones in this issue.  However, the fun storyline devised by series creator Joss Whedon & Brett Matthews clearly requires some prior familiarity with the various who’s, why’s, and where’s of Serenity.  Still, Better Days # 1 is a blast to read, especially with some archaeological thievery thrown in for good measure.    

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The inside cover gives a brief overview of the Serenity saga. The single-page “Horsepower” column hypes Dark Horse’s adaptation of Disney’s Gremlins, originally written by author Roald Dahl.  The two-page “Transmissions from the Cortex” letters-and-answers column pertains to the Serenity: Those Left Behind mini-series.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                 8 Stars

Written by Ryan Ferrier

Art by SL Gallant; Brian Shearer; James Brown; & Robbie Robbins

Cover Art by John Cassady & Paul Mounts

SUMMARY:

This untitled first issue of the IDW Publishing/Dynamite Entertainment four-part mini-series was published for February 2018.  In Siberia, Col. Steve Austin’s covert OSI hostage retrieval mission is a trap.  COBRA overpowers and captures the Six Million Dollar Man.  COBRA assigns Dr. Mindbender to transform Austin into their new assault weapon.  In the Utah desert, Hawk and the U.S. President guide the Canadian Prime Minister and the Mexican President on a tour of G.I. Joe’s ‘Pit’ headquarters.  Protecting an in-flight caravan of foreign dignitaries over the North Sea, the G.I. Joes aboard Air Force One reel from a COBRA airborne assault led by a brainwashed Austin. 

Note: For the four variant covers, the other art teams are: SL Gallant & James Brown (Cover B); Michael Adams (action figure Retailer Incentive); Jerry Ordway & Hi-Fi (Retailer Incentive); and John Cassaday (black-white-and-red ComicsPro version of the main cover).

REVIEW:

This inspired premise has loads of potential.  Supported by above-average artwork, writer Ryan Ferrier’s first chapter doesn’t reveal too much, but it would make a great start for an animated film.  To his credit, Ferrier seamlessly incorporates Austin and Oscar Goldman’s Office of Scientific Investigation into G.I. Joe continuity, as it makes sense that G.I. JOE and COBRA would know of Austin’s legendary bionics.  Leaving off with a cliffhanger, G.I. Joe vs. the Six Million Dollar Man # 1 is a solid thrill ride worth experiencing.     

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The issue’s front inside cover provides thumbnail images of all five covers, as a brief introduction setting up this issue’s storyline.  There is a February 2018 listing of on-sale IDW comics & books.  A glossy full-page cover reveal (Steve Austin vs. Snake Eyes) of the next issue is also included.  Glossy full-page ads also hype Transformers/G.I. Joe: First Strike; G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero # 246; G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero trade paperbacks volumes 1-17; Dynamite’s female Green Hornet (in a two-page spread); and The Six Million Dollar Man, The Bionic Man, and The Bionic Woman trade paperback series.     

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                         8 Stars

Written by William Katt; Derek McCaw; & Christopher Falino (based upon Stephen J. Cannell’s pilot episode)

Art by Clint Hilinski; Jeff Jumper; Rebecca Maiden; & Salvador Mancha

Cover Art by Clint Hilinski

SUMMARY:

Released in 2008 as a three-part mini-series by Arcana Comics and Catastrophic Comics, this standard-length issue adapts the 1981 Greatest American Hero pilot episode into the present-day. 

Isolated in the Southern California desert, high school teacher Ralph Hinkley and veteran FBI Special Agent Bill Maxwell are mysteriously left an alien super-suit to put to good use … as a team.  After being abruptly dismissed by Maxwell, Ralph accidently loses the suit’s instruction manual.    Elsewhere, a nefarious religious cult posing as a high-profile children’s charity schemes to harm the U.S.  President.  Upon failing a polygraph test at work, Maxwell forces a second private encounter with Ralph.  Attempting to quickly reach a student’s Juvenile Court hearing, Ralph resorts to drastic measures.  Awaiting him is a female public defender, Pamela Davidson, who may well change his life. 

REVIEW:

Not only should the nostalgia potential be off the charts, The Greatest American Hero seem a natural for comic book adaptation.  The reality, however, is a rudimentary product.  Of this issue’s assets, the adapted script (i.e. this Ralph evidently isn’t a divorced dad) is okay.  Keeping it kid-friendly, William Katt’s writing team packs a few contemporary surprises as compensation for not replicating the show’s humorous charm. A solid cover image adds some luster, too.  Yet, nothing can hide the disappointing interior artwork, as the glossy pages are mostly minor-league visuals.  Sporting reasonable likenesses of Katt, Connie Sellecca, and Robert Culp (which was likely a creative priority), the considerable drop-off pertains more to how deliberately generic the other characters are presented.  The ultra-simplistic, if not crude, background details only further exacerbate this issue’s amateurish look.    

In terms of a keepsake loaded with good intentions, the rare Greatest American Hero # 2 is worth holding on to.  Despite its flaws, there are still hints that Ralph Hinkley could be a viable comic book sensation.   

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The front inside cover is an endorsement from series creator/producer Stephen J. Cannell.  The back inside cover provides a message and thank-you’s from series star William Katt.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                 4 Stars

Written by Ron Fortier

Art by Sal Velluto; Barb Kaalberg; Suzanne Dechnik & Holly SanFelippo; and Andrea Albert

Cover Art by Sal Velluto; Tony DeZuniga; & Suzanne Dechnik

SUMMARY:

Published by NOW Comics for October 1992, the 24-page The Odyssey of the Crimson Wasp, Part III is entitled “Dying for Dollar$.” Paul Reid, the current Green Hornet, and a masked crook, Johnny Dollar, conspire to some money laundering business, both expecting an inevitable double-cross.  Meanwhile, Kato’s younger sister, the sword-wielding Mishi, intends to finish her family’s vendetta against Dollar.  A three-way warehouse shoot-out chaotically ensues.

REVIEW:

For long-time Green Hornet fans, it’s mildly entertaining.  Despite relying on bland script clichés, writer Ron Fortier nicely works the Hornet & Kato’s classic partnership dynamic, particularly with Mishi as the ‘Crimson Wasp.’  Johnny Dollar, however, is reminiscent of a poor man’s Riddler, but he’s still a worthy foe for this Hornet & Kato.  Yet, there isn’t anything distinctly imaginative going on.  Approximately half of the story is allotted to a big shoot-out where the minimal blood merits a PG-rating.  Make no mistake, though: a sizable body count and a villain’s single profanity shout-out doesn’t make this comic kid-friendly.  Aside from adequate artwork, the undemanding story is an okay single read.  To its credit, the cover art accurately reflects what this comic delivers.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

There’s a two-page spread promoting NOW’s newly-released comics.  Series editor Joan Weis answers ‘The Buzz Word’ letters column.  The final page is ‘Show Stoppers,’ which has five candid NOW-related photos at Summer 1992 comic conventions.  Among these photos is one of actor Van Williams (TV’s Green Hornet) busily signing autographs and another of Mr. T posing with a comic shop owner.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    4½ Stars