Category: Independent Publishers (Comic Books & Graphic Novels)

Written by Mark Waid.

Art by Butch Guice; Mike Perkins; Laura DePuy; Dave Lanphear (Issues # 1-5).

Art by Jeff Johnson; Paul Neary; Jason Lambert; & Dave Lanphear (Issue # 6).

Cover Art by Butch Guice & Laura DePuy.

SUMMARY:

Compiling Issues # 1-6, from 2001-02, CrossGeneration Comics (CrossGen Comics) released this 160-page paperback in 2002.  Set in the Victorian Age, the fictional English coastal city of Partington is London’s equivalent where pompous master sleuth Simon Archard is its resident Sherlock Holmes.  His associate is a glamorous and enigmatic young blonde, Emma Bishop, who possesses supernatural powers (i.e. freezing time) that she must keep secret from Simon.  Ruse is told through Emma’s adventurous, down-to-earth narrative. 

The first arc (Issues # 1-4) pits the British duo vs. the nefarious Baroness Miranda Cross, as her mind-controlling powers turns the city against its favorite son.  Emma ominously discovers that she isn’t Partington’s only witch.  Framed for murder, Simon doesn’t realize that Emma’s magic may be his only hope in a fiery showdown.

With Simon unavailable, Issue # 5 has the Partington police calling upon Emma to unmask a Jack the Ripper-like serial killer.  Utilizing Simon’s odd assortment of informants, Emma proves her value as a sleuth in her own right.  In Issue # 6, while attending a nightclub’s magic act, Simon & Emma discover that his homicidal ex-partner (and master-of-disguise), Malcolm Lightbourne, has returned for some unknown reason.    

Note: Ruse ran twenty-six issues.  Issues # 7-12 are compiled for Ruse, Volume 2: The Silent Partner.

REVIEW:

The series title is apt.  On its surface, Ruse imagines Sean Connery (in his James Bond prime) as an ultra-suave Sherlock Holmes … with some elements of The Avengers’ Mr. Steed and Mrs. Peel included for good measure.  Then again, perhaps a comparison to Remington Steele isn’t too far off.  Make no mistake, Emma Bishop is Ruse’s real star, as she is both likable and endearing.  An aura of mystery shrouding her true nature (not to mention, why she is compelled to protect Simon) is another welcome asset.   

In contrast, Simon Archard’s deductive brilliance is no excuse for the insufferable jerk he is, as writer Mark Waid should well know.  There lies the gamble of enjoying Ruse: why should readers (let alone Emma Bishop) even care about the condescending Simon Archard?  Compensation comes in the form of Emma’s contributions to the storyline (as she is often thinking what the audience likely is). In that sense, Waid’s scripting is often inspired.  More so, Ruse’s plot twists hurdling its occasional contrivances are worth the price of admission.

The best component, however, is the art squad’s gorgeous visuals.  Though Issue # 6’s artistic quality declines a bit, it’s still on a par with Marvel and DC.  As a worthy (and not so stuffy) alternative to reading the traditional Holmes, Ruse: Enter the Detective merits a chance at re-discovery.             

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The six covers are provided in a full-page format.  Guice and DePuy co-created the first five covers.  DePuy joined Jeff Johnson & Mark Pennington for Issue # 6’s cover.  Starting the first few chapters are front page excerpts from Partington’s The Penny Arcadian newspaper.   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    8 Stars

Written by (Credits Not Provided)

Art by (Credits Not Provided)

Compilation Cover Art by Rex W. Lindsay & Rosario “Tito” Peña

SUMMARY:

Released by Archie Comics in 2001, this 96-page compilation reprints ten tales, plus some select panels, spanning a quarter-century between 1963 and 1988.  The contents are:

“A Gym Dandy” (She’s Josie # 1 – February 1963): High school kids Josie & Pepper are invited by wealthy classmate Alex Cabot to try out his private home gym.  Josie McCoy, Melody Jones, and Alexander Cabot III are introduced, as are occasional supporting players Pepper and Albert.

One-page sample: The debut of Alexandra Cabot (She’s Josie # 8 – September 1964).

One-page sample: The debut of Alan M. (Josie # 42 – August 1969). 

One-page sample: The origin of Alexandra’s striped hair and Sebastian the Cat’s magical powers (Josie # 43 – September 1969).

“Decisions, Decisions” (Josie & The Pussycats # 45 – December 1969).  Refusing Alexandra’s demands to front their band, Josie & Melody opt to take Alexander’s unexpected suggestion for a third bandmate.  Valerie Smith makes her debut.

“Pussy Footing”  (Josie & The Pussycats # 45 – December 1969).  Playing their high school’s dance that night, the girls’ trademark outfits first appear.

“Quiet on the Set”  (Josie & The Pussycats # 50 – September 1970).  ‘Previewing’ their new animated TV series, the team visits Hanna-Barbera Studios in person.  The story includes comic book versions of TV animation legends Joseph Barbera, William Hanna, Bill Spears, and Joe Ruby.

One-page advertisement for the CBS Josie & The Pussycats animated TV series debut (Josie & The Pussycats # 50 – September 1970).

“Brawn is Beautiful” (Josie & The Pussycats # 53 – February 1971).  To eliminate him as a rival for Josie’s affections, Alex fires Alan M. from the group.  This tactic inevitably backfires.

“Ban the Blonde” (Josie & The Pussycats # 56 – August 1971).  Josie & Valerie are exasperated by a clueless Melody’s sex appeal impacting a lot of their male fans’ jealous girlfriends.  It’s time to take action after the irked girlfriends stage a public protest against the Pussycats.

“The Early Worm Gets the Bird”  (Josie & The Pussycats # 56 – August 1971).  Guest star Archie Andrews joins Alan M. and the girls for some early morning fun at the beach.

“The Ghost of Dark Valley Manor” (Josie & The Pussycats # 57 – September 1971).  Reminiscent of their TV series, this three-part tale has Alex arranges for a Pussycats rehearsal inside a haunted house.

“Up, Up, and Away!” (Josie & The Pussycats # 58 – October 1971).  The girls get literally carried away in a hot air balloon before tangling with an art thief.

One-page sample: A glimpse at the Pussycats’ 1980s MTV punk rock makeover (Archie Giant Series Present Josie & The Pussycats # 540 – August 1984).

“Limo Rock” (Archie Giant Series Present Josie & The Pussycats # 562 – August 1986).  Alex arranges for the girls to film a live music video inside his ultra-deluxe limousine.

“Cat at the Crossroads” (Archie Giant Series Present Josie & The Pussycats # 584 – September 1988).  Worried that she’s under-talented and hurting the band, Josie contemplates quitting and moving on with her life.  For their next gig, Valerie & Melody must reluctantly accept Alexandra as Josie’s replacement.

Note: Archie Comics claims that the inclusion of samples is due to space considerations.

REVIEW:

Considering the slim page count, it’s disappointing that Archie Comics occasionally skimps by resorting to samples vs. the actual stories.  However, this cheerfully undemanding assortment should still please adults in a nostalgic mood.  Young fans may invariably deem the tame humor far too old school for their tastes.  Rest assured that some timeless chuckles will hit their mark with anyone. 

With solid production values, this nice sampler is ideal for collectors interested in perusing Josie & The Pussycats in their vintage form.     

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Paul Castiglia provides a two-page introduction contemplating Josie and The Pussycats’ enduring impact on pop culture and girl rock groups inspired by them.  There are also interior front cover (outer space) and interior back cover (skiing) illustrations, but the artists aren’t identified — though it’s probably Lindsay & Peña. 

A table-of-contents identifies each story or sample’s historical source.  Cover reproductions aren’t included.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:             6½ Stars

Note: Archie Comics has released at least other same-named Best of Josie & The Pussycats paperback; this alternate volume is 400+ pages.

Written by Bill Golliher; Holly G!; Abby Denson; & George Gladir

Art by Holly G!; Al Nickerson; Vickie Williams; & Jason Jensen

Cover Art by Holly G! & Rosario “Tito” Peña

SUMMARY:

Released by Archie Comics in 2011, this 128-page compilation are reprints taken from issues first published in 2003-2004 (the source issues aren’t specified).  The fifteen stories are:

“Internet Threat, Parts 1-2”  Written by: Bill Golliher, with Art by: Holly G!; Al Nickerson; Vickie Williams; & Jason Jensen.  Grounded for a week, Sabrina & Salem still get into some internet mischief.

“Spell Trouble, Parts 1-2” Written by: Holly G!, with Art by: Holly G!; Al Nickerson; Vickie Williams; & Jason Jensen.  A slumping Sabrina is enrolled by her aunts in an after-school spelling tutorial class.  Sabrina soon meets fellow teen magician, Shinji, who may become Harvey’s romantic rival. 

“All’s Fairy” Written by Bill Golliher  with Art by Holly G! & Al Nickerson.  Aunt Hilda’s good-natured generosity causes the house to be overrun by pesky faeries.

“Purr Pals” Written by Bill Golliher, with Art by: Golightly (Holly G!?) & Al Nickerson.  Josie & The Pussycats make a cameo appearance, as Salem seeks out some new feline friends. 

“Between a Rock and a Hard Place!” Written by Holly G!, with Art by Holly G! & Al Nickerson.  Egged into claiming she has a rock band, Sabrina tries thwarting arch-rival Amy at the school talent show to impress Harvey.

“Sabrina Who?, Parts 1-2”  Written by Bill Golliher, with Art by: Holly G!; Al Nickerson; Vickie Williams; & Jason Jensen.  Enchantra spitefully casts a spell on Sabrina’s family to no longer remember her.  It’s up to Sabrina and a talking squirrel, with her own secret, to confront Enchantra at Salem’s transformation hearing.

“Model Witch” Written by Holly G!, with Art by: Holly G! & Al Nickerson.  Sabrina is interviewed by two fellow witches about life as a half-mortal teen sorceress.

“Danger from the Deep, Parts 1-3”  Written by: Bill Golliher, with Art by: Holly G!; Al Nickerson; Vickie Williams; & Jason Jensen.  Sabrina tangles with a nefarious mermaid over an oblivious Harvey.    

“A Haunting We Will Go, Parts 1-2” Written by: Bill Golliher, with Art by: Holly G!; Al Nickerson; Vickie Williams; & Jason Jensen.  Sabrina and her pals attempt a sleepover at haunted Lakewood Manor for a school newspaper story.  Then, the manor’s resident ghosts follow Sabrina home.

“Charm School, Parts 1-2”  Written by: Bill Golliher, with Art by: Holly G!; Al Nickerson; Vickie Williams; & Jason Jensen.  Required to attend Charm School, Sabrina reunites with her friend, Llandra.  They encounters a new rival: Enchantra’s daughter, Lilith.

“Bikini Babes”  Written by Abby Denson, with Art by: Holly G! & Al Nickerson.  Sabrina & Julie hit the beach where a self-esteem spell on Julie has unexpected complications.

“It’s My Party”  Written by Bill Golliher, with Art by: Holly G! & Al Nickerson.  With her aunts out of town, Sabrina’s Charm School classmates (including Shinji) descend on her house for a party, along with Harvey and his friends. 

“It’s in the Cards, Parts 1 & 2”  Written by: Abby Denson, with Art by: Holly G!; Al Nickerson; Vickie Williams; & Jason Jensen.  Going inside the Magical Monsters card game, Sabrina & Shinji have a friendly face-off.

“Frost Bite”  Written by: Holly G!, with Art by: Holly G!; & Al Nickerson.  Suffering from a cold, a literally blue Sabrina meets Jack Frost.

“Zap Flap”  Written by George Gladir, with Art by: Holly G! & Al Nickerson.  Going back to beach, Sabrina’s magical powers go awry due to a shifting planetary alignment.     

REVIEW:

It’s a nice, modern assortment for Sabrina fans of any age.  Both the stories and their accompanying artwork are consistently compatible for an easygoing read.  Even if these tales aren’t must-haves, The Magic of Sabrina the Teenage Witch is still reasonably well-played.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

There’s a full-page pin-up of Aunt Hilda brewing hot chocolate for Sabrina and Salem.  It’s actually a cover reprint of Issue # 52.  However, it’s only the cover reprint in the book.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                              6½ Stars