Month: August 2024

Categories
Books & Novels Fantasy, Horror, & Science Fiction

(DEAN KOONTZ’S) FRANKENSTEIN, BOOK 4: LOST SOULS

Written by Dean Koontz

SUMMARY:

Released through Random House Publishing Group, this 350-page fourth installment in Dean Koontz’s Frankenstein saga was released in 2010.  In the two years since the seemingly immortal Victor Helios’ (aka Dr. Victor Frankenstein) death, five survivors of his diabolical wrath have scattered and moved on with their own lives. 

Deucalion (aka Frankenstein’s Monster) is hiding in a secluded California monastery where his intuition ominously senses that his insidious creator is somehow still alive.  Ex-New Orleans police detective partners Carson O’Connor and Michael Maddison have since married and are raising an infant daughter in San Francisco.  Unable to completely settle down, the duo partakes in dangerous assignments working in tandem as private investigators. 

Lastly, Victor’s last cloned wife, Erika Five, has assumed a new surname and has quietly relocated to rural Rainbow Falls, Montana, where she is eccentric Jocko’s surrogate mother. Her financial means stems from a hidden cache of money and jewels that she stole from Victor before fleeing New Orleans.

Meanwhile, the unsuspecting residents of Rainbow Falls are being systematically abducted, assimilated, and replaced by identical cyborg replicas intent on ultimately destroying the human race in favor of their own kind.  These helpless small-town victims, upon becoming expendable fodder, will face horrific fates from the ‘Builders’ in this cult dubbed ‘The Community.’  

Too few locals are able to elude these monstrous killers: among these ‘fugitives’ are jail escapees Mr. Lyss and mentally challenged ‘Nummy, along with hospital patient Bryce Walker. Unaware of the cult’s insidious scheme, Erika is mortified to observe that a fellow town motorist is Victor himself – somehow alive and intact (now referring to himself as ‘Victor Immaculate’). She soon realizes that one of Victor’s vile contingency plans has been initiated.

At Erika’s conscientious behest, Deucalion, along with Carson and Michael, descends upon Rainbow Falls to find and destroy this new Victor.  Yet, as even more of the townspeople are captured and replaced, Victor’s five enemies find that there may be no escape this time being both vastly outnumbered and outgunned.  More so, the town’s own bewildered resistance may come too little too late.           

Notes: This title’s other formats are paperback, audiobook, and digitally.  The novel’s immediate sequel, Dead Town, was released in 2011.

REVIEW:

Including some sporadically icky details, this next horror-fantasy thriller in the Dean Koontz’s Frankenstein franchise is likely for the established fanbase only.  While Koontz’s experienced writing style is easy to grasp, one may be skeptical of how necessary this contrived sequel is … when it amounts to ‘Frankenstein’s Monster Vs. The Body Snatchers, Part I.’ 

Readers might like Carson and Michael’s hard-nosed yet now-married repartee, as well as the presence of Deucalion and Erika. Unfortunately, other characters definitely diminish one’s reading enjoyment.  Let’s just say a little ‘Jocko’ goes a long way, and really the less said the better about the majority of Mr. Nyss & Nummy’s scenes – especially, in the town jail’s basement. As for other Rainbow Falls stock characters, Koontz’s writing conveys many of them with just enough depth, but their general expendability prevents readers from connecting with them.       

A fresh relocation in scenery to Montana and briefly San Francisco from New Orleans, if anything, is welcome progress.  Still, this asset doesn’t mask how the new storyline’s collection of tropes becomes too derivative of other ‘body snatcher’ genre capers.  Hence, readers are expected to rely upon the franchise’s core characters to escape the sci-fi/horror cliché-fest substituting for Koontz’s lack of originality.    

As a supplemental observation, growing suspicions of Koontz’s leisurely pace are confirmed at the novel’s end.   It’s then no surprise that Lost Souls is merely the first installment of this ‘stay tuned’ storyline, as opposed to acknowledging this helpful tidbit on the front cover.  Given a likelihood of skipping scenes (as the short chapters rotate among characters), Dean Koontz’s lukewarm Frankenstein, Book 4: Lost Souls is probably best perused as a library rental option first.        

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

There is a list of selected Koontz novels and an ultra-brief author biographical paragraph.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   4½ Stars

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Digital Movies & TV Movies & Television (Videos) Online Videos TV Episodes & Movies TV Series TV Series (Specific Episodes) WWF/WWE (Pro Wrestling)

RICKY “THE DRAGON” STEAMBOAT & STING vs. “STUNNING” STEVE AUSTIN & “NATURE BOY” RIC FLAIR, with “SENSUOUS” SHERRI (WCW Saturday Night: Televised: 7-30-1994)

SUMMARY:                   RUNNING TIME: Approx. 29:00 Min.

For the July 30, 1994, edition of WCW Saturday Night, the main event would pit Sting and Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat (both former WCW World Champions) vs. the arrogant WCW U.S. Champion “Stunning” Steve Austin and “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair, accompanied by ‘Sensuous’ Sherri Martel.  The bout was presumably filmed at WCW Saturday Night’s studio: the Center Stage Theater in Atlanta, Georgia.  The announcers are Tony Schiavone and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. 

Notably, the bout was televised (but not necessarily filmed) days after WCW Bash at The Beach where Flair had dropped the WCW World Heavyweight Championship to Hulk Hogan. 

REVIEW:

Both duos are in excellent form, as Steamboat’s on-screen chemistry with Flair and Austin demonstrates why they were undoubtedly his best WCW adversaries (along with Rick Rude).  More so, Austin and Flair’s heel teamwork is impressive. 

Given that Steamboat’s active in-ring career ended only months later (due to an injury), fans shouldn’t mind seeing that he gets more screen time than Sting.  Eerily, it’s like a premonition that Schiavone and Heenan comment that some think that an aging Steamboat’s abilities had somewhat declined.  That may have been accurate, but, even in his early forties, Steamboat still nimbly holds his own against Austin (a decade younger) and a timeless, 44-year-old Flair.  What can else be said of a mid-thirties Sting, other than he delivers exactly what it is required of him.        

The bout’s only stale component is “Sensuous” Sherri Martel’s participation.  Her villainous antics come off as a tired cliché (after three productive years performing the same function in the WWF for Randy Savage, Ted DiBiase, and finally Shawn Michaels).  Still, she is a welcome upgrade over Flair’s dubious former valet/maid, ‘Fifi,’ who “The Nature Boy” would marry in real life decades later.      

Though this tag bout’s action is formulaic and becomes somewhat monotonous (presumably, to fill at least thirty minutes of airtime), neither the participants nor the announcers let viewers down.  That includes a somewhat unexpected finish, in terms of which tandem scores a decisive win.    

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   7 Stars

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Digital Movies & TV Movies & Television (Videos) Online Videos TV Episodes & Movies TV Series TV Series (Specific Episodes) WWF/WWE (Pro Wrestling)

STING, “NATURE BOY” RIC FLAIR, & THE BOSS (RAY TRAYLOR), with ICE TRAIN VS. “RAVISHING” RICK RUDE, RON SIMMONS, & “STUNNING” STEVE AUSTIN, with COL. ROBERT PARKER (WCW Saturday Night: Televised 1-22-1994)

SUMMARY:                            RUNNING TIME: 11:33 Min.

Televised on January 22, 1994, this WCW Saturday Night six-man main event was filmed at WCW’s Atlanta, GA studio: the Center Stage Theater.  On one side stands Sting, The Boss (Ray Traylor – formerly the WWF’s Big Boss Man and the UWF’s Big Bubba Rogers), and, in the aftermath of Starrcade 1993, the newly crowned WCW World Champion, “Nature Boy” Ric Flair.  Accompanying this trio to ringside is fellow wrestler, Ice Train. 

Opposing them are WCW International World Champion “Ravishing” Rick Rude, WCW U.S. Champion “Stunning” Steve Austin, and a supposedly resentful ex-WCW World Champion, Ron Simmons.  Accompanying them is Austin’s manager, Col. Robert Parker.     

The announcers are Tony Schiavone & Jesse “The Body” Ventura.

REVIEW:

Given the considerable star power involved, one would expect in-ring fireworks.  While waiting for some burst of welcome chaos, viewers instead get formulaic tag action.  Hence, this average TV six-man showdown is enjoyably watchable (including Ventura & Schiavone’s repartee) for the right reasons. It’s just not memorable.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                        6 Stars

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Categories
Digital Movies & TV Movies & Television (Videos) Online Videos TV Episodes & Movies TV Series TV Series (Specific Episodes) WWF/WWE (Pro Wrestling)

“RAVISHING” RICK RUDE & THE NASTY BOYS: BRIAN KNOBBS & JERRY SAGS, with MISSY HYATT vs. STING, RICKY “THE DRAGON” STEAMBOAT, & “NATURE BOY” RIC FLAIR, with ‘FIFI’ (WCW Saturday Night: Televised 11-27-1993)

SUMMARY:                       RUNNING TIME: 19:18 Min.

Televised on WCW Saturday Night on November 27, 1993, this six-man main event occurs four weeks before Starrcade 1993 – where “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair would supposedly risk his career for a WCW World Title challenge against the reigning incumbent, Vader. 

At the time this bout was aired (but not necessarily filmed), “Ravishing” Rick Rude was the WCW International World Heavyweight Champion (having defeated Flair) while The Nasty Boys: Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sages were WCW’s World Tag Team Champions.  Accompanying The Nasty Boys to ringside is their unlikely valet, Missy Hyatt.

Their formidable opposition is a trio of former (and/or future) WCW World Champions: Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, Sting, and Flair.  They are accompanied by Flair’s valet/maid (and, decades later, his real-life spouse), ‘Fifi.’ 

Filmed at WCW Saturday Night’s Atlanta, GA studio facility, the Center Stage Theater, the announcers are Jesse “The Body” Ventura and Tony Schiavone. 

REVIEW:

The bout’s slow start is further hampered by Ventura’s unnecessarily slow realization that Hyatt utilizes hair extensions – which Schiavone has to explain to him.  Along with this dubious exchange between the announcing team, the preponderance of in-ring star power falls short of translating into a must-see showdown. It’s really more of the caliber of what one might see at a (non-televised) house show. 

Of the six combatants, Steamboat gets the least amount of screen time while a game Flair unusually absorbs the brunt of the punishment.  For long-time fans, the rare sight of Flair or Sting vs. The Nastys … or any of the three ex-World Champions facing off against arch-rival Rude is certainly watchable action. 

As for the opposing valets, unfortunately, neither one contributes anything resembling talent — as they weren’t likely scripted a chance to do so. Still, it’s bizarre seeing the traditionally glammed-up Hyatt aligned with Knobbs & Sags – and such incongruity is as contrived as it sounds. Regarding ‘Fifi,’ WCW evidently sought a demure Miss Elizabeth wanna-be to stand pretty in Flair’s corner. Yet, she lacks the late Elizabeth Hulette’s presence and charm conveying the same role with “Macho Man” Randy Savage. Replacing ‘Fifi’ months later with “Sensational/Scary/Sensuous” Sherri Martel for Flair’s next heel run was at least a logical WCW personnel move.

This formulaic bout (including a chaotic finish), suffice to say, is merely lukewarm average.    

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   5½ Stars

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

DC PRIDE: LOVE AND JUSTICE (DC Comics)

Written by (See Below).

Art by (See Below).

Collection Cover Art by Jim Lee & Tamra Bonvillain.

SUMMARY:

In 2024, DC Comics released this 124-page hardcover consisting of twelve short stories, plus assorted bonus materials.  The 2018-2021 reprints were compiled from: DC Pride # 1; New Year’s Evil # 1; Mysteries of Love in Space # 1; and Young Monsters in Love # 1. 

The tales are:    

  • Batwoman / Alice: The Wrong Side of The Glass (10 pages).  Writer: James Tynion IV & artwork by Trung Le Nguyen & Aditya Bidikar.  Kate Kane’s Batwoman wistfully recalls a childhood ‘looking glass’ game she had played with her twin sister, Beth.  After Beth’s supposed death, this game’s mirror-like influence would take an emotional toll in shaping Kate’s womanhood.  In the present-day, Batwoman and Beth (now called Alice) are compelled to play a different game against the Mad Hatter. 
  • Extraño, Constantine, & Midnighter: By The Victors (8 pages).  Writer: Steve Orlando & artwork by Stephen Byrne & Josh Reed.  In a London pub one night, John Constantine attempts to hook up with a married sorcerer, Extraño – Gregorio De La Vega.  De La Vega subsequently recounts a date night team-up with the Midnighter against a neo-Nazi vampire, Count Berlin.  Afterwards, Constantine isn’t by any means romantically deterred.     
  • Renee Montoya’s Question: Try The Girl (4 pages).  Writer: Vita Ayala & artwork by Skylar Partridge, José Villarubia;, & Ariana Maher.  The Question tries to avert a bleak ending for Gotham defense attorney, Valeria Johnson, who has evidently been abducted by thugs with an unknown motive.  The sparkling end teases a possible new relationship for Renee Montoya.
  • Poison Ivy & Harley Quinn: Another Word for a Truck to Move Your Furniture (8 pages).  Writer Mariko Tamaki & artwork by Amy Reeder, Marissa Louise, & Ariana Maher.  In battle against a monster plant threatening Gotham City, Poison Ivy prods Harley Quinn into taking their romance more seriously.
  • Alan Scott’s Green Lantern & Obsidian: He’s The Light of My Life! (8 pages).  Writer: Sam Johns & artwork by Klaus Janson, Dave McCaig, & Tom Napolitano.  Meeting his son Todd’s boyfriend, Alan Scott (also now publicly out) reveals a poignant glimpse of his first love prior to his destiny as Green Lantern.    
  • Future State Flash: Clothes Makeup Gift (8 pages).  Writer: Danny Lore & artwork by Lisa Sterle; Enrica Angiolini; & Becca Carey.  Facing a new Mirror Master, Jess Chambers’ Flash finds she might run short on time preparing for her imminent date night with Andy Curry – Aquaman & Mera’s daughter.
  • Pied Piper: Be Gay, Do Crime (4 pages). Writer: Sina Grace & artwork by Ro Stein, Ted Brandt, & Aditya Bidikar.  In Keystone City, the Pied Piper thwarts Drummer Boy’s mind-controlled heist, only to find they have a common adversary.
  • Dreamer: Date Night (8 pages).  Writer: Nicole Maines & artwork by Rachael Stott, Enrica Eren Angiolini, & Steve Wands.  Before her movie date with Brainiac Five, Nia Nal (Dreamer) honors a prior commitment taking down a League of Shadows cell group in National City.  Note: Dreamer’s transgenderism isn’t referenced.
  • Monsieur Mallah & The Brain: Visibility (8 pages).  Writer: Steve Orlando & artwork by Nic Klein & Tom Napolitano.  To end a hostage crisis, Metropolis SCU Captain Maggie Sawyer tries to bargain with Monsieur Mallah and an uncooperative Brain.  The Brotherhood of Evil duo’s intertwined origin is also presented in flashback.
  • Crush: Crushed (8 pages).  Writer: Andrea Shea & artwork by Amancay Nahuelpan, & Trish Mulvihill.  In Portland,  a furious 15-year-old Crush seeks vengeance after her date ends in a sinister double-cross.
  • Renee Montoya & Harley Quinn: Little Christmas Tree (8 pages).  Writer: Vita Ayala & artwork by Elena Casagrande, Jordie Bellaire, & Dave Sharpe.  Prior to the Christmas weekend, Detective Montoya intervenes in saving Harley Quinn from a bad arrest by the Gotham City Police.  Sensing Renee’s loneliness, an undeterred Harley won’t take ‘no’ for an answer in reciprocating the kindness.    
  • Jackson Hyde’s Aqualad & Justice League Queer: Love Life (8 pages).  Writer: Andrew Wheeler & artwork by Luciano Vecchio, Rex Lokus, & Becca Carey.  Jackson & Sylvan “Syl” Ortega’s first date at a Pride parade is marred by Eclipso’s menacing presence.

Notes: This title is also available digitally.  Though he appears on the collection’s cover, Apollo appears only in a brief cameo in the last story.

REVIEW:

Starting with the varying artistic styles, the visuals are generally a welcome asset.  None of these twelve stories skimp on their caliber of artwork, but, as one could expect, it’s a matter of visual preference.  As for the scripting, however, it’s obvious that readers are getting glorified back-up tales.  For efficiency’s sake, it’s best to rate these stories individually.

  • “The Wrong Side of The Glass.”        Rating: 8 Stars.

Quick Take: James Tynion IV’s insightful deep dive into Kate Kane’s psyche blends well with the low-key visuals.     

  • “By The Victors.”      Rating: 3½ Stars.

Quick Take: Love and Justice’s best artwork is frankly squandered by Constantine’s blatant effort flirting with a married sorcerer.  Ambiguity stems from his actual objective: is he seeking an undefined team-up against an evil force or just merely a tawdry fling?  As it’s evidently the latter, good taste precludes from revealing the last page’s unnecessary inference.    

  • “Try The Girl.”         Rating: 8½ Stars.

Quick Take: Given only so much can transpire in four pages, Valeria Johnson’s introduction suggests definite potential as Renee Montoya’s potential new love interest.  Vita Ayala’s well-played writing and the art team’s terrific visuals make this entry likely Love and Justice’s best read. 

  • “Another Word for a Truck to Move Your Furniture.”     Rating: 6 Stars.

Quick Take: Considering the amount of exposure that DC already allots Poison Ivy & Harley Quinn’s romance, this tale doesn’t contribute anything new.  Aside from its double-entendre title, it’s just an okay read.  Still, the story’s quirky entertainment value should please the duo’s fanbase. 

  • “He’s The Light of My Life!”     Rating: 6 Stars.

Quick Take: It’s an intriguing read, as Alan Scott reconnects with his estranged son over a newly acknowledged common bond.  The story’s visuals are reasonably good.  What might give fans pause, however, is DC’s retroactive tinkering with Alan Scott’s established backstory approximately eighty years after the character’s Golden Age debut.

  • “Clothes Makeup Gift.”        Rating:  6½ Stars.

Quick Take: Supported by nice artwork, the plotting should appeal to the Future State Flash’s fans.

  • “Be Gay, Do Crime.”            Rating: 4 Stars.

Quick Take: The story is quickly forgettable, but the artwork is still pretty good.  As for the awful title, it’s the less said the better.

  • “Date Night.”                        Rating: 8 Stars.

Quick Take: Scripted by the actress portraying Dreamer on the Supergirl TV series, readers get an entertaining action romp with great artwork.

  • “Visibility.”                           Rating: 7 Stars.

Quick Take: Along with appropriate visuals, the script supplies this compilation’s most poignant and original storytelling.  Conversely, DC’s Vertigo-era update of these Doom Patrol antagonists (making them an unconventional couple) might not resonate with readers remembering their Silver Age villainy.

  • “Crushed.”                           Rating: 5½ Stars.

Quick Take: It’s an okay read, as the terrific artwork can’t boost an average revenge tale. 

  • “Little Christmas Tree.”        Rating: 7 Stars.

Quick Take: The story’s charm and appealing artwork overcome Harley’s unexplained resourcefulness – which practically implies that she has magical powers.  Still, writer Vita Ayala concocts the second of two solid Renee Montoya tales for Love and Justice. 

  • “Love Life.”                      Rating: 6½ Stars.

Quick Take: Apart from the implausibility of Aqualad surviving a solo showdown with Eclipso, it’s a fine read.  More so, its introduction of Justice League Queer offers ideal closure for this compilation. 

Including its bonus materials, DC Pride: Love and Justice, overall, isn’t necessarily a must-have for DC aficionados.  This book’s contents, however, presents an intriguing library option.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Starting this collection is writer Marc Andreyko’s full-page foreword from 2021.  In the back, there is a sixteen full-page DC Pride variant cover gallery.  Specifically, the cover artists are:

  • Apollo & Midnighter (artist: David Talaski);
  • Far Sector Green Lantern Sojourner Mullein (artist: Brittney Williams);
  • John Constantine (artist: Kevin Wada);
  • Secret Six’s Scandal Savage, Jeannette, & Knockout (artist: Kris Anka);
  • Kamandi -? (artist: Nick Robles);
  • Harley Quinn & Poison Ivy (artist: Sophie Campbell);
  • Jackson Hyde’s Aqualad, Crush, Syl, & Traci 13 (artists: Travis Moore & Alejandro Sánchez);
  • Batwoman, Renee Montoya, Batman, Ghost-Maker, & Bluebird (artist: Jen Bartel from Batman # 109);
  • Superman (artist: David Talanski from Superman # 32);
  • Wonder Woman (artist: Paulina Ganucheau from Wonder Woman # 773);
  • Nightwing (artists: Travis Moore & Alejando Sánchez from Nightwing # 81);
  • Future State Wonder Girl (artist: Kevin Wada from Wonder Girl # 2);
  • Poison Ivy & Harley Quinn (artist : Kris Anka from Harley Quinn # 4);
  • Teen Titans Academy (artist: Stephen Byrne from Teen Titans Academy # 4);
  • Crush & Lobo (artist: Yoshi Yoshitani from Crush & Lobo # 1); and
  • Harley Quinn & Poison Ivy (artist : Jen Bartel from DC Pride # 1).

Last are the live-action DCTV Pride profiles from DC Pride # 1.  The character profiles each include interviews with Batwoman’s Javicia Leslie (for Ryan Wilder / Batwoman); Supergirl’s Nicole Maines (for Nia Nal / Dreamer); DC’s Legends of Tomorrow & Arrow’s Caity Lotz (for Sara Lance / White Canary); Constantine’s Matt Ryan (for John Constantine); Black Lightning’s Nafessa Williams (for Anissa Pierce / Thunder); and Doom Patrol’s Matt Bomer (for Larry Trainor / Negative Man). 

The last page is an advertisement for other DC Pride-related graphic novels and collections. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                       7 Stars