EXCITING COMICS #12 ANTARCTIC PRESS
In March of 1956, Charlton Comics was throwing ever concept they could come up with at the wall to see what stuck. Nature Boy’s stint at Charlton consisted of Issues #3-5 of his own series (and before someone says I don’t my math, the Nature Boy title took over from Danny Blaze #2) A sort of cross between Shazam and Captain Planet, the hero’s 3 issues featured Nature Man (Nature Boy as a grown up) and Nature Girl (his girlfriend) following classic comic themes of the day. Dan Sehn knows his source materials and provides a terrific picking up point for the character. And also explains how he was able to survive. Zilson Costa’s art is wholly appropriate. Yet again, Exciting Comics keeps the pace up and continues their regular Big House Blues, NothingMan, and Weritas Man features. I give this a 9 out of 10 Grahams.
CULT OF DRACULA #5 SOURCEPOINT PRESS
More backstory, some meaningful revelations, and a very weird yet comical conversations in a vampire horror comic. Rich Davis’s story continues to blossom and Wal-Mart will never be the same again. And how could anyone turn away from the jaw dropping Shannon Maer cover! I give it an 8 out of 10 Grahams.
GROO MEETS TARZAN #1 DARK HORSE COMICS
Back in the day, Tarzan was an amazing property that was shared by all! Dell, Gold Key, DC Comics, Marvel Comcs, etc, etc. Even showing up in a 1970’s PomPoms Candy ad! Now Dark Horse is teaming him up with Groo but this title is so much more! The creative team of Sergio Aragones, Mark Evanier, Thomas Yeates, and Tom Luth delivers a nostop artistic roller coaster ride as be bounce between the Groo pages and the Tarzan pages with a heathy smattering of the classic Mad Magazine pages including one of those eye popping Aragones two page Where’s Waldo pages! (See how many comic convention jokes you can spot!) But in all honesty the best part of this book is the adventures of Aragones and Evanier as they work there way through a San Diego Comic Con! Brought tears to my eyes as I laughed myself stupid because you know that all this is true. An amazing achievement! I give it a 9 out of 10 Grahams.
BONUS PICTURE!