Month: January 2022

Categories
Comic Books & Graphic Novels DC Comics

TITANS # 3 (2008 DC Comics)

Written by Judd Winick

Art by Joe Benitez; Victor Llamas; Sandra Hope; Derek Fridolfs; Joe Weems; Edgar Delgado; & Comicraft

Cover Art by Joe Benitez; Victor Llamas; & Edgar Delgado

SUMMARY:

Entitled “Family Affair, Part 2,” DC Comics released this issue for August 2008.  A vengeful Trigon is fatally striking out at the Teen Titans, both present and past.  Upon Raven briefly describing her gypsy mother’s seduction/recruitment into Trigon’s satanic cult, Beast Boy smugly teases her.  Through intel supplied by Cyborg, the Titans probe the whereabouts of three of Trigon’s rumored other mortal brides.  Dividing into three duos, the team finds that all three women are recently dead, with too few details left behind. 

In an inexplicably snarky mood, Wally West’s Flash taunts Donna Troy that she doesn’t have family to worry about (like he now does), which sets off a furious Donna.  Within a murdered woman’s home no less, Nightwing & Starfire surrender to mutual lust by engaging in implied sexual intercourse amongst its boxed-up belongings.  Losing self-control, Raven verbally erupts at one potential witness, which forces Beast Boy and then Red Arrow to intervene. 

Upon regrouping, the Titans ponder their inappropriate behavior, not to mention various shades of embarrassment.  The creepy truth comes in the form of Raven’s three half-brothers.      

REVIEW:

In the first few pages, there’s an excellent facial close-up of Raven’s mother and then one of Raven herself.  Beyond that,  including tawdry (and impossibly thin) profile close-ups of Starfire & Donna Troy, the talented art squad mostly exacerbates the sleazy script that writer Judd Winick is peddling. Though the Titans’ awful behavior is conveniently explained away by the secret villains exuding ‘envy,’ ‘lust,’ and ‘rage,’ Issue # 3’s storytelling is an excuse for some DC trash posing as a story. 

Suffice to say, this creative team falls far short of the industry-leading magic that Marv Wolfman & George Pérez produced with these same characters approximately forty years ago.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

DC’s Mike Siglain hypes the Batman: Gotham After Midnight series in the “DC Nation” column.  Thumbnail cover reveals are for Booster Gold # 10; Wonder Woman # 21; and Titans # 4.  DC goofs by including this issue’s own cover.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                 3 Stars

Categories
Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (CD's)

THE UNTOUCHABLES – END TITLE (by Ennio Morricone: The Untouchables movie soundtrack)

SUMMARY:                              RUNNING TIME: 3:12 Min.

Oddly appearing as Track # 1, the film’s send-off theme is an instrumental by composer-conductor Ennio Morricone.  The orchestra isn’t identified. 

Note: As clarification, this track is essentially a full-length reprise of the same-named Track # 11, which narrates the mob-busting heroics of Elliot Ness and his squad earlier in the film.  

REVIEW:

The magic of this instrumental endures.  Bringing Eliot Ness and his squad’s virtuous quest soaring to life, Ennio Morricone is at the peak of his storytelling powers.  Courtesy of Morricone, “Al Capone” (Track # 2) and Track # 11 define both sides of the movie’s battlefront.  The ominous main title: “Strength of the Righteous” (Track # 8) then pits them against one other. 

Ultimately, this reprise spells out which side prevails, no matter the personal cost.  For instrumental and soundtrack enthusiasts, this one (and/or as Track # 11) is absolutely worth adding to a favorite playlist.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    9 Stars

Categories
Classical, Electronica, & New Age Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows

THE LONGSHIPS (by Enya: Watermark)

SUMMARY:                              RUNNING TIME: 3:39 Min.

It’s the tenth track off Enya’s 1988 Watermark album. 

REVIEW:

The track’s best asset is undoubtedly Enya’s classy Celtic vocals.  Yet, as compared to other Watermark tracks, there isn’t anything special re: “The Longships” that makes it worth purchasing as a solo download. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                6 Stars

Categories
Comic Books & Graphic Novels DC Comics DC's Hardcovers & Trade Paperbacks

SUPERMAN: GODFALL (DC Comics)

Written by Michael Turner & Joe Kelly

Art by Talent Caldwell; Jason Gorder; Peter Steigerwald; Grafiksismik; Christina Strain; & Comicraft

Cover Art by Michael Turner & Peter Stiegerwald

SUMMARY:

Released by DC Comics in 2004, this 128-page collaboration with Michael Turner’s Aspen Comics team reprints Action Comics # 812-813, Adventures of Superman # 625-626, and Superman # 202-203 (all from 2004).  Clark Kent has been missing for weeks, as Lois Lane & Perry White worry about his unknown fate.  Meanwhile, trapped on what he believes is present-day Krypton, a seemingly powerless Kal-El is a government bureaucrat happily living with his alien wife, Lyla.  Harassment by a gang of renegade bikers soon causes his repressed super-powers to tragically ignite. 

Not understanding where these monstrous powers originated from, Kal-El realizes that he has been deceived.  Once the perpetrator and others escape from their ‘world’ to Metropolis, it’s up to the Man of Steel to restore his correct sense of reality.  As Superman humbly acknowledges, he isn’t a god, despite what some in Kandor otherwise believe.   

Note: This title is also available in paperback.

REVIEW:

Considering Aspen Comics’ involvement, the triumph of style over high-concept substance is hardly a surprise.  As one can expect, the late Michael Turner’s artwork is exquisite.  The same kudos apply to his Fathom cohorts, as Talent Caldwell & Peter Steigerwald gorgeously render the interior visuals. 

Working against them, however, is Godfall’s uninvolving storyline that confines Superman inside a Total Recall sort of virtual reality (minus the gore).  There’s also too much screen time re:  Tron-like motorcycles that look great without boosting the actual plot.    

While guest characters, like the enigmatic Lyla, are intriguing, plot twists they convey might have better suited an Elseworlds one-shot.  Hence, far too little of Godfall is entertaining in a mainstream sense.  Even the revelation that Perry White has long co-conspired with Lois Lane to cover up Clark’s lengthy absences isn’t explored – i.e. has Perry known Clark’s secret all along?  One can only surmise and shrug, much like a long-suffering Lois is scripted to do by condoning her husband’s latest bizarre disappearance. 

Come the story’s end, no matter how much this re-imagining of Kandor appealed to Turner & Joe Kelly, the journey they take readers on proves a blah experience.  Hence, the only practical reason for keeping Superman: Godfall is Aspen’s lush brand of artwork. 

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

After a two-page foreword, co-writer Joe Kelly adds a helpful two-page summary explaining how Superman’s feud vs.  Brainiac 12 and the Futuresmiths have landed him in an alternate-reality ‘Krypton.’  A list-of-characters (Kal-El; Lyla; Preus; Basqat; Shire; Mamoth; & Jigsaw) presents a paragraph-length bio for each of them. 

In full-page format, the eye-popping Michael Turner cover gallery offers both sketch and full-color reprints.  Turner’s sketch gallery offers nine pages of his concept work, including colorized test images.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:               5½ Stars

Note:  A recommended Michael Turner-related DC project is Superman/Batman, Volume 2: Supergirl.

Categories
Comic Books & Graphic Novels Marvel Comics

THE OFFICIAL HANDBOOK OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE # 1 (1983 MARVEL Comics)

Written by Mark Gruenwald; Alan Zelenetz; Eliot R. Brown; Ralph Macchio; & Peter Sanderson

Art by (See Below), including Andy Yanchus

Wraparound Cover Art by Edward Hannigan & Andy Yanchus

SUMMARY:

Released for January 1983, this first 34-page issue (counting the inside covers) initiated Marvel Comics’ periodic handbook series.  As applicable, each profile features a quick biography, a full frontal image, height, weight, eyes, hair, unusual features, and a brief description of a character’s powers.  This inaugural issue consists of these characters (with their pencillers and/or inkers):

  • Abomination (Ron Wilson)
  • Absorbing Man (Ron Wilson)
  • El Aguila (Dave Cockrum)
  • A.I.M. (Luke McDonnell)
  • Ajak (Ron Wilson)
  • Alpha Flight (John Byrne & Terry Austin)
  • Alpha Primitives (Ron Wilson)
  • American Eagle (Ron Wilson)
  • Anaconda (Mark Gruenwald)
  • Angar the Screamer (Brian Postman)
  • Angel {Warren Worthington III} (Brian Postman)
  • Annihilus (Luke McDonnell)
  • Ant-Man {Scott Lang} (Brian Postman)
  • Aquarian (Mark Gruenwald)
  • Arabian Knight (Mark Gruenwald)
  • Arcade (Bob Budiansky)
  • Ares (Paul Smith)
  • Ariel {Kitty Pryde} (Paul Smith)
  • Arkon (Bob Budiansky)
  • Arnim Zola (Jack Kirby)
  • Asgard (Peter Gillis & Tom Orzechowski)
  • Asgardians (Ron Wilson)
  • Atlantis (Peter Gillis & Rick Parker)
  • Atlanteans (Paty)
  • Attilan (Peter Gillis & Eliot R. Brown)
  • Attuma (Walt Simonson)
  • Aurora (John Byrne)
  • Avengers (John Byrne & Terry Austin)
  • Avengers Mansion (Eliot R. Brown)
  • Avengers Quinjet (Eliot R. Brown)
  • Alien Races {Aakon, A’Askvarii, Achernonians, A-Chiltarians, Alpha Centaurians, Arcturans, Astrans, & Autocrons} (Paty)

Note: Originally billed as a twelve-part series, this Original Handbook series went on to include supplements (i.e. two issues for the dead and inactive characters). 

REVIEW:

Aside from the near-microscopic typography, it’s a Marvel relic worth perusing.  For instance, considering that the recently-introduced Alpha Flight’s entry merits a mere half-page vs. two full pages detailing the Avengers roster, one can easily which characters earned top priority. More importantly, this inaugural issue serves as the template that both Marvel and DC have worked off for decades now as yet another vehicle for their perpetual rivalry.

Though the material is nearly forty years old (i.e. the biographies are often a meager paragraph), the quality control is still decent considering the ambitious scope of this project. Furthermore, it’s a reminder of the simplistic fun (for a whole $1.00!) that comics used to be before Marvel & DC Comics began their innumerable continuity shifts over-complicating the genre.   

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The inside front cover is the table-of-contents & credits page.  The back inside cover is Mark Gruenwald’s half-page editorial introducing the project.  The other half-page is an appendix acknowledging characters who didn’t make Issue # 1’s cut.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    6 Stars

Categories
Comic Books & Graphic Novels Marvel Comics

THE OFFICIAL HANDBOOK OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE – SPIDER-MAN: BACK IN BLACK (2007 MARVEL Comics)

Written by Mike Fichera; Ronald Byrd; Al Sjoerdsma; Stuart Vandal; Anthony Flamini; Michael Hoskin; Jeff Christiansen; Sean McQuaid; Madison Carter; & Eliot R. Brown.

Art by (See Below).

Cover Art by Aaron Lopresti; Chris Sotomayor; Pond Scum; & Tom Smith.

SUMMARY:

Released by Marvel Comics for 2007, this 50-page issue (counting the inside covers) consists of these character profiles (with their artists):

  • Cardiac (Ron Lim & Mark Bagley)
  • Conundrum (Luke Ross)
  • The Daily Bugle (No Artist Listed)
  • Delilah (Mark Bagley)
  • The Enforcers (Steve Ditko)
  • Grim Hunter (Tom Lyle)
  • Grizzly (Staz Johnson, Luke Ross, & Ross Andru)
  • Jimmy-6 (John Romita Jr.)
  • Kraven the Hunter (John Romita Sr., Mike Zeck, Nick Dragotta, & Eliot R. Brown)
  • Jason Macendale (Sal Buscema, Ron Frenz, Steve Ditko, Mark Texeira, & Larry Alexander)
  • Magma (Marc Silvestri & Herb Trimpe)
  • Molten Man (Dan Jurgens, Ross Andru, & Erik Larsen)
  • Richard & Mary Parker (John Romita Sr.)
  • Randy Robertson (Ale Garza & John Romita Sr.)
  • Shadrac (John Byrne, Joe Bennett, & Scott Hanna)
  • S.H.O.C. (John Romita, Jr.)
  • Silvermane (Karl Kesel, John Romita Jr., Jim Mooney, John Romita Sr., & Staz Johnson)
  • Slyde (Ron Frenz & Sean Chen)
  • Alistaire Smythe (Erik Larsen, Mark Bagley, & Mary Wilshire)
  • Solo (Ron Randall)
  • Spider-Man (Angel Medina, Steve McNiven, Mike Wieringo, Scot Eaton, Eliot R. Brown, & Ron Frenz)
  • Gwen Stacy Clones (Liam Sharpe, Tom Lyle, Mark Bagley, & Yancet Labat)
  • Styx & Stone (Todd McFarlane, Erik Larsen, & Jeff Johnson)
  • Symbiotes (Dave Hoover, Kyle Hotz, Ron Frenz, Todd McFarlane, Patrick Zircher, Mark Bagley, Darick Robertson, Ron Randall, Greg Luzniak, & Skottie Young)
  • Alan Kupperberg (Walrus)
  • White Dragon (Greg LaRoque & Ross Andru)
  • Debra Whitman (Ed Hannigan & Bob Hall)
  • Will O’ The Wisp (Angel Medina & John Romita Jr.)
  • Coldheart (Tom Lyle & Steven McNiven)
  • Commanda (Terry Dodson)
  • Drom (Don Perlin & Jim Mooney)
  • Empathoid (Sal Buscema)
  • Blackie Gaxton (Steve Ditko)
  • Headsman (Pat Olliffe)
  • Hobgoblin: 2211 A.D. (Mike Wieringo)
  • Iguana (Jim Mooney)
  • El Muerto (Roger Cruz)
  • Mysterio {Francis Klum} (Todd Nauxck & Terry Dodson)
  • Ben Parker: Earth-6078  (Mike Wieringo)
  • Spidercide (Ron Lim, Mark Bagley, & Sal Buscema)
  • Spider-Man: 22 11 A.D. (Mike Wieringo)
  • Supercharger (Gil Kane)
  • Tendril (Darick Robertson)
  • Tracer (Mike Wieringo)
  • Videoman (Nick Dragotta)
  • Vulture {Clifton Shallot} (Ross Andru)

REVIEW:

Marvel’s consistently solid production values for these handbooks again live up to expectations.  However, aside from an  obligatory Spider-Man profile, none of these characters are relevant to the Back in Black arc itself.  Since current profiles on Mary Jane Watson-Parker, Aunt May, the Kingpin, etc. were available in other handbooks, Marvel evidently opted for a seemingly random hodge-podge from the Spider-Man mythos to fill up this handbook’s page count. 

In that sense, despite some good reading, this handbook is a bait-and-switch due to its deliberately misleading title. 

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

In addition to the credits, the inside front cover offers a reference guide to find other Spider-related profiles.  The back inside cover has a half-page profile on head writer Michael Fichera.  The other half-page is a glossary continuing from the All-New Official Handbook to the Marvel Universe A to Z Update # 1. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                6 Stars

Categories
Comic Books & Graphic Novels Marvel Comics

THE OFFICIAL HANDBOOK OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE: DELUXE EDITION # 13 (1986 MARVEL Comics)

Written by Mark Gruenwald & Peter Sanderson

Art by (See Below), plus Eliot Brown; Josef Rubinstein; Andy Yanchus; Brenda Mings; & James Fry

Wraparound Cover Art by John Byrne; Josef Rubinstein; & Andy Yanchus

SUMMARY:

Released by Marvel Comics for December 1986, this 65-page (including the back cover) profiles in depth the following characters (and their assigned artists):

  • Super-Adaptoid (Mike Zeck)
  • Super-Skrull (John Byrne)
  • Supreme Intelligence (Ron Wilson)
  • Surtur (Walt Simonson)
  • Talisman (Mike Mignola)
  • Taskmaster (Joe Rubinstein)
  • Tatterdemalion (Bob Hall)
  • Tattletale (June Brigman)
  • Terminus (John Byrne)
  • Texas Twister (Keith Pollard)
  • Thena (Brian Bolland)
  • Thing (John Byrne)
  • Thor {including his hammer, Mjolnir} (Walt Simonson)
  • Thunderiders (Cynthia Martin)
  • Thundra (Brian Bolland)
  • Tiger Shark (John Buscema)
  • Tigra (Stan Drake)
  • Tinkerer (Peter Poplaski)
  • Titan {Saturn’s moon} (Eliot R. Brown)
  • Titania (Mick Zeck – possibly a typo for Mike Zeck)
  • Titanium Man (Al Milgrom)
  • Toad (Steve Ditko)
  • Tomorrow Man (Sal Buscema)
  • Tower (Bob Layton)
  • Trapster (Javier Saltares)
  • Triton (Mike Zeck)
  • Tyrannus (Joe Sinnott)
  • U-Foes (Sal Buscema)
  • Ulik (Walt Simonson)
  • Ultimatum (Larry Hama)
  • Ultron (Kerry Gammill)
  • Umar (Joe Rubinstein)

Note: The 20-issue ‘Deluxe Edition’ update series was published between 1985 and 1988.

REVIEW:

Even when compared to its 1983 original series counterpart (approximately Issue # 11), this ‘deluxe’ version earns that distinction.  The 1983 version was certainly good at half the size, but this Issue # 13 is even better.  Aside from some minor typos, Marvel Comics ensures that that its fanbase gets everything on these characters and then some.  For a thirty-five year old comic, this one is a gem.   

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The inside front cover is a table-of-contents, credits, and Mark Gruenwald’s “Data Corrections.”  The back inside cover is an appendix for five ‘Other Dimensions,’ from Runestaff Dimension to The Shadow Realm.  Also continued is the “Data Corrections.”  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   8½ Stars

Categories
Comic Books & Graphic Novels Marvel Comics

THE OFFICIAL HANDBOOK OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE: DELUXE EDITION # 6 (1986 MARVEL Comics)

Written by Mark Gruenwald & Peter Sanderson

Art by (See Below), plus Eliot Brown; Josef Rubinstein; Andy Yanchus; Brenda Mings; & James Fry

Wraparound Cover Art by John Byrne; Josef Rubinstein; & Andy Yanchus

SUMMARY:

Released by Marvel Comics for May 1986, this 64-page (including the back cover) profiles in depth the following characters (and their assigned artists):

  • Human Torch {Johnny Storm} (John Byrne)
  • Hydra (Mike Zeck)
  • Hydro-Base (Eliot R. Brown)
  • Hydro-Man (Ron Wilson)
  • Iceman (Jackson Guice)
  • Ikaris (Keith Pollard)
  • Illusion (Richard Howell)
  • Immortus (Kerry Gammill)
  • Imperial Guard (Dave Cockrum)
  • Impossible Man & Impossible Woman (Steve Leialoha)
  • In-Betweener (Jim Starlin)
  • Interloper (Don Perlin)
  • Invisible Woman (John Byrne)
  • Iron Man I {Tony Stark} (Mark Bright)
  • Iron Man II {James Rhodes} (Mark Bright)
  • Jack of Hearts (Dave Cockrum)
  • Jack O’Lantern (Steve Ditko)
  • J. Jonah Jameson (John Romita Sr.)
  • John Jameson (John Romita Jr.)
  • Madison Jeffries (Kevin Maguire)
  • Jester (Kerry Gammill)
  • Rick Jones (James Fry)
  • Juggernaut (John Romita Jr.)
  • Jennifer Kale (June Brigman)
  • Kang (Brett Breeding)
  • Karkas (Ron Wilson)
  • Karnak (Sandy Plunkett)
  • Karnilla (Walt Simonson)
  • Ka-Zar (Val Mayerik)

Note: The 20-issue ‘Deluxe Edition’ update series was published between 1985 and 1988.

REVIEW:

As evidenced by Issue # 6, this issue (including a decent-sized font) is a Marvel master class in quality control.  Considering the enormous labor required for this particular series, the late Mark Gruenwald deserves major kudos for supervising upgrades (more imagery, far more extensive biographies, first appearance info, etc.) this ‘deluxe’ version enjoys over the original series.  Absolutely well-played!     

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The inside front cover is a table-of-contents, credits, and Mark Gruenwald’s “Constant Dilemma” commentary.  The back inside cover is an appendix for fifteen ‘Other Dimensions,’ from Alfheim to Crystalium.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     9 Stars

Categories
Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (CD's)

NESS & HIS FAMILY (by Ennio Morricone: The Untouchables movie soundtrack)

SUMMARY:                             RUNNING TIME: 2:45 Min.

As Track # 9, this Ennio Morricone instrumental portrays Kevin Costner’s Eliot Ness as a soft-spoken and happily-married family man with a young daughter.  The orchestra isn’t identified. 

Note: For the film’s dramatic purposes, both Patricia Clarkson’s Catherine Ness and the daughter (portrayed by Kaitlin Montgomery) are fictional.    

REVIEW:

Presenting the soundtrack’s only blissful piece, the track works exactly as it’s supposed to.  “Ness and His Family” doesn’t necessarily merit a solo download so much, but it’s vital to the film’s narrative backbone.  With a classical-like lilt, this thoughtfully low-key and poignant track should appeal to instrumental enthusiasts – it’s a kindred spirit reminiscent of 1980’s Somewhere in Time.   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    7 Stars

Categories
Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (CD's)

MACHINE GUN LULLABY (by Ennio Morricone: The Untouchables movie soundtrack)

SUMMARY:                                   RUNNING TIME: 7:01 Min.

As the concluding Track # 13, this music box-like Ennio Morricone instrumental narrates a pivotal, slow-motion train depot shootout late in the film.  The orchestra isn’t identified. 

REVIEW:

As macabre as it is, one must credit some brilliant storytelling to Ennio Morricone.  Juxtaposing a children’s music box lullaby to rising dramatic tension, “Machine Gun Lullaby” is pitch perfect for this near-silent sequence late in the film. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                  9 Stars