Month: December 2020

Written by Mary Jo Duffy

Art by Kerry Gammill; Ricardo Villamonte; Jim Novak; & Christie Steele

Cover Art by Al Milgrom

SUMMARY:

Published by Marvel Comics for March 1982, it’s entitled “Day of the Dredlox.”  As bodyguards to actor Bob Diamond (primarily, as a publicity stunt), Luke “Power Man” Cage and Danny “Iron Fist” Rand find the sci-fi robot hardware used in Diamond’s Broadway play: “Day of the Dredlox” isn’t so neat close up.  Yet, stagehands are disappearing from the show’s theater, and there’s a mysterious laser-shooting assassin willing to target Diamond in broad daylight. 

Later, Danny & Misty Knight’s cuddle time at her apartment is mistakenly interrupted by Luke and his girlfriend, Harmony (who is also Misty’s roommate).  Summoned by a panicky Diamond, Luke & Danny rush to the theater.  With Diamond the latest abduction, the supposedly fake robots known as the Dredlox (and their laser blasts) are far more formidable than expected.

REVIEW:

Despite sporting reasonably good artwork, this issue’s one-shot storyline is easily forgettable.  Still, for a single read, it’s still decent, kid-friendly entertainment.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

There is Marvel’s single-page “Bullpen Bulletins” news-and-notes column.  There’s also a single “Power / Fistfuls” letters-and-answers column.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                 5 Stars

Written by John Byrne & Joey Cavalieri

Art by Jae Lee; J. Albrecht; Michael Higgins; & Glynnis Oliver

Cover Art by Jae Lee

SUMMARY:

Entitled “Double Dealings,” this 32-page issue was published by Marvel Comics for June 1992.  An amnesiac, long-haired Namor has befriended a local sheriff and his blonde daughter, Tess Walker, in a small Eastern U.S. logging town.  After the mysterious wild man ‘Rex’ (Namor’s current alias) easily dismantles a rampaging logging machine, his hosts are increasing skeptical of him. 

Later that night, Namor trails Tess to discover that she is involved in an illicit multi-million-dollar scheme with a nefarious businessman.  Locating her lost cousin, Namorita is rejected in violent fashion by a raging Namor.  A villainous Master Khan looks on with delight.  Meanwhile, in England, Namor’s former Invader teammate, Jacqueline “Spitfire” Falsworth (presently regenerated as a sixteen-year old), and her vampire-like adult son, Kenneth, discuss Lord Malton’s takeover bid for Falsworth International.

REVIEW:

While co-writers John Byrne and Joey Cavalieri heavily lift Wolverine’s appearance and surly demeanor, their take on a mentally disoriented Namor works well in spite of the amnesiac clichés.  Despite an accurately violent cover image, the art team’s visuals are excellent. 

Still, their preference for long blond hair and identically lithe body shapes, unfortunately makes Namorita, Tess Walker, and Jackie Falsworth look far too much alike.  Facially, Namorita and Tess Walker further share an uncanny resemblance, which maybe plays into this storyline.  Even if it doesn’t, for Sub-Mariner fans, this Namor the Sub-Mariner # 27 makes for a relatively good read.        

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

There is a single-page “Alternating Currents” letters-and-answers column.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                7 Stars

Written by (See Credits Below)

Art by (See Credits Below)

Cover Art by Rob Liefeld

SUMMARY:

Released for March 1990, this 32-page anthology comic consists of four tales. 

• Wolverine in “Black Shadow! White Shadow!, Part 9 of 10: Assault!”  Writer: Marv Wolfman, with art by John Buscenma; Phil Felix; and Nel Yomtov.  To rescue a captive Mai, an injured Wolverine contends with the dual shadows (each seeking to destroy one another) manifested by a seeming immovable mutant’s psyche.
• Devil Slayer in “Lost Souls, Part 1 of 4.”  Writer Dwight Zimmerman, with art by Rodney Ramos; Mark McKenna; Janice Chiang; and John Wilcox.  On behalf of Mephisto, the demonic pirate, Dutchman, baits Devil Slayer seeking to make him his master’s latest henchman.
• Aquarian in “A Gift of Death.”  Writer: Fabian Nicieza, with art by Hugh Haynes; Fred Fredericks; Agustin Mas; and Steve Mattson.  One night, the wandering Aquarian finds himself drawn into mayhem after an undercover FBI operative’s homicide.
• Sub-Mariner in “The Eyes That See.”  Writer: Hollis Bright, with art by Dell Barras; Marshall Rogers; Phil Felix; and Paty Cokrum.  Amidst his quest for Marrina’s hatchlings, Namor becomes involved in an effort to protect an endangered whale from hunters.

REVIEW:

Despite visually fading thirty years later, the combined effort by four different art squads (plus the cover image) remains good, but there’s nothing spectacular here.  It’s also predictable that none of these tales are long-lost gems.

In fairness, writer Hollis Bright offers a good fable of sorts, as Namor’s initial heroism has some unintended consequences worth exploring.  It isn’t surprising that the best action sequence belongs to the Wolverine tale, including an obligatory cliffhanger.  The Aquarian and Devil Slayer stories offer some okay reading – they’re written with intelligence, but neither one is likely to make the reader want more.  Overall, Marvel Comics Presents # 46 is a decent package clearly belonging to the one-and-done pile.    

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The inside front cover is a table-of-contents and has synopses/credits for these stories.  The inside back cover offers a letters-and-answers column.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:            5 Stars

Written by Mariko Tamaki

Art by Bachan; Federico Blee; VC’s Travis Lanham; & John Tyler Christopher

Cover Art by John Tyler Christopher

SUMMARY:

Published by Marvel Comics for December 2017, this untitled 28-page issue has criminal defense attorney Jen “She-Hulk” Walters egged on by best friend Patsy “Hellcat” Walker re: a Friday night blind date.  Meeting up at an upscale French restaurant, Jen’s date night only gets worse when She-Hulk is suddenly attacked by a cyborg army. 

Reminiscent of John Byrne’s take on She-Hulk, this story’s omniscient writer frequently butts in with her own commentary re: Jen’s supposed thoughts.  When Hellcat joins in, the two BFF’s might still salvage their evening in downtown New York.  Then again, who is the shadowy stalker is exterminate She-Hulk?

REVIEW:

Considering her sitcom-style premise isn’t remarkable, writer Mariko Tamaki still delivers an entertaining homage updating John Byrne’s vintage “breaking-the-fourth-wall” comedy version of She-Hulk.  The creative team’s choice of a Valentine’s Day pink for Tamaki’s clichéd ‘thought balloons, for instance, is a LOL contrast to Jen’s ultra-crummy blind date.  Whether it is an irritated Jen vehemently disagreeing with Tamaki’s invasive thought balloons or Hellcat’s humorously repetitive texting to She-Hulk for date updates, Tamaki admirably nails every joke on cue. 

It wouldn’t have hurt had there been a few extra pages extending this story, but the end result likely would have been the same.  Tamaki’s witty script is further bolstered by glossy top-caliber visuals by the art team (including a spot-on cover image).  Both beautifully-rendered and cheerfully undemanding, Hulk # 011 is a gem of a read.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

There is a full-page “In Memoriam” remembering legendary comics writer/editor Len Wein.  As the next issue, a full-page cover reveal of She-Hulk (Legacy) # 159 is provided.  Also incorporated is a smaller view of its homage variant cover.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:           8½ Stars