WESLEY DODDS THE SANDMAN #1 DC COMICS
Well, DC is finally getting around to us Golden Age fans. And our newest outing acts as a sort of prequel to the Sandman story. Wesley Doods is having dreams. Dreams of heroes and friends he has yet to meet. And dreams of enemies he must face. But at this point in his life, he is trying to stop putting on the gask mask and do some real good. But he is facing failure at every turn. The army wants nothing to do with his idea of humane warfare. He’s stuck at a party he doesn’t want to be at. And to top it all off, sinister forces are coming for him. Robert Venditti’s story is grim and depressing until the gas mask goes on. And Riley Rossmo’s art looks like something that would have appeared in Sandman Mystery Theatre from Vertigo. With a brief cameo by members of the JSA and an introduction to Rex Tyler, this might turn out to be an excellent addition to the new Golden Age titles. Cautiously optimistic in an 8 out of 10 Grahams.
NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD KIN #1 AMERICAN MYTHOLOGY
Another spin-off tale from the world of George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead. And in the little town of Purgatory Hill, West Virginia, Uncle Berg has died due to a heart attack. And niece Melba Mae is trying to help with the family duties now that they are man short. Unfortunately, it’s April of 1968 and the dead are about to rise. And while this is a good story, I really question its need to be. American Mythology’s last Night of the Living Dead acted as a bit of a prequel to the classic movie, so it gave us a chance to see familiar characters and the circumstances as to how they all ended up at the house. This one comes off as a generic zombie story that has some bits added to it so it can be set in the same universe. I give it a 7 out of 10 Grahams.
CAPWOLF & THE HOWLING COMMANDOES #1 MARVEL COMICS
1992 was a very strange year with the good Captain being turned into a werewolf in a Mark Gruenwald 6 part tale called Man and Wolf. The title was a mere 52 issues from ending and storylines were starting to get odd. And so even if we are in the month of Halloween, I question whether this was a concept that needed to be revisited. Good news is that this is a What IF type alternate dimension. Writer Stephanie Phillips does a good job of reinvisioning the Howling Commandoes but I’m not sure about some of the Cap moments. Artist Carlos Magno does a great job with his tanks and rubble. An enjoyable book that goes out on a limb. I give it a 7 out of 10 Grahams.
AMERICAN PSYCHO #1 SUMERIAN PUBLISHING
While American Psycho was an interesting movie, it was rather deep. So I wasn’t sure how it would translate into comic form. And after reading it, I’m still not sure. With multiple fantasy killings ala the movie, Michael Calero’s story does a good job of keeping in line with the film. But I still find it a bit confusing. This is one of those comics that you will need to make up your own minds about. I’m going with a 6 out of 10 Grahams.
BORIS KARLOFF GOLD KEY MYSTERIES #1 GOLD KEY
In 1963, Gold Key Publishing began an anthology series (starting with issue #3?) that lasted until issue #97. Hosted by film icon Boris Karloff, with a photo of his face plasted across every cover. Gold Key is back and has brought their classic title with them. With three tales of terror on board, this little throwback does install a nice sense of nostalgia but the tales are a bit shattershot. Not overtly scary or mysterious, I do want to find out what happens to the people who enter the Where House. I give it a 6 out of 10 Grahams.