#comicbookreview — Public Fediverse posts

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #12 (1994)

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back, superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts, X-Men fans and comic book collectors! Today we revisit the Marvel Comics shared universe to examine one of the many tales of the X-Men 2099 monthly series.  

Looking back at the X-Men 2099 series of the 1990s, so much has developed during the first eleven issues released from 1993 to 1994. When I first read issue #1 in 1993, I found the futuristic X-Men really intriguing to follow and there was the expectation that the team led by Xi’an would somehow grow and make breakthroughs happen in 2099’s America. Surprisingly, members of the team got separated from each other – such as losing Metalhead to the Freakshow – and Xi’an himself changed for the worse and eventually left the team. Tim Fitzgerald/Skullfire (the weak and unsure newcomer who joined the futuristic X-Men) himself changed radically becoming unhinged and he has gotten really close with Luna (the one who messed with his mind and triggered his emotions).

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men 2099 #12, published by Marvel Comics in 1994 with a story written by John Francis Moore and drawn by Ron Lim.

Early story

The story begins in the black market mall with Luna struggling to separate Skullfire and Junkpile from each other. Skullfire hates Junkpile whom he holds responsible for killing his friend Serpentina (the one X-Men member who welcomed him at their sanctuary). Junkpile blames Skullfire and his teammates for causing him some serious grief in Las Vegas. Luna tells them both to shut up or she would do something on both of them.

Moments later, the three of them are accused by the mall security for violating the market regulations. An armed mall security officer points his weapon at them accusing them of willful destruction of market property. The looks of Junkpile, Luna and Skullfire, however, scared him and convinced him to move away. Luna then reveals to Skullfire that she encountered Junkpile outside of Las Vegas shortly after the violent encounter with the X-Men. The three of them proceeded to a café to have a civil talk. Skullfire asks Luna about the Theater of Pain…

Quality

Wow! The Moore-Lim team loaded this comic book with immense details that established the true force of opposition that awaits the X-Men. The story reveals to readers the Theater of Pain, its demonic leader Brimstone Love and what the theater’s purpose truly is. Brimstone Love and the theater were first revealed at the very end of issue #3 and this comic book offers readers a close look at them complete with very intriguing details that turned out to be worth discovering. That said, it was clear that John Francis Moore designed the Theater of Pain to be not just a planned force of evil the X-Men must face but also an actual threat to many living in 2099’s America. The Theater of Pain has a very sinister agenda and its operations involves the accumulating human misery which is a frightening concept on its own.

While Luna’s history and connection with the Theater of Pain is emphasized, Xi’an’s search for the Driver makes a lot more sense here as the former X-Men leader (now sinister and spiritually lost) communicates again with someone from his past. That said, the plot really thickened a lot in this comic book and that alone makes it engaging to follow.

As this issue follows Skullfire, Luna, Junkpile and Xi’an – plus a quick look at former X-Men member Metalhead now spending time with the Freakshow – the tone of the tale turned dark and gritty which I think was intentionally done by the creators as the Theater of Pain was strongly emphasized. That said, this is indeed inspired work.

Conclusion

With a dark tale and an established force of evil rising in the horizon, X-Men 2099 #12 (1994) can be described as an inspired turn of events for the monthly series as a whole. At this stage, the direction of the series really started to take shape. It is also a lively reminder that the mutants struggling in 2099 have the wilderness and its violent elements as the least of their worries. The Theater of Pain itself is a reminder about sinister yet unseen forces that are operating while lots of people remain unaware of them (note: think about the World Economic Forum and what its core organization really do behind closed doors as time passes). Lastly, the twisted developments of Skullfire and Xi’an’s respective personalities will keep you in suspense as to how the futuristic X-Men can survive without them.

Overall, X-Men 2099 #12 (1994) is recommended.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #8 (1994)

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back, superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts, X-Men fans and comic book collectors! Today we revisit the Marvel Comics shared universe to examine one of the many tales of the X-Men 2099 monthly series.  

After the first seven issues of the series, it is clear that the futuristic mutants under Xi’an have tough challenges to not only survive in the dangerous and unpredictable wasteland of 2099’s America but also help their leader fulfill the ultimate goal of protecting mutants from the evil corporations in accordance to the dream of Professor X (Charles Xavier). Unlike the X-Men of the 20th century, the team of 2099 does not have vast resources nor do they have a permanent place for living and development. Xi’an himself is still struggling with the elements from his past as a violent criminal.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men 2099 #8, published by Marvel Comics in 1994 with a story written by John Francis Moore and drawn by Ron Lim.

Early story

The story begins with Krystalin examining Archangel with amazement. Moments later, she sees Cyclops, Iceman, Beast and Jean Grey (in her Phoenix form). She wondered how many times did each of Professor X’s first students appear to die only to return again and again. She recalls that the records of their deaths may have been in error or even falsified. She also remembers the succeeding X-Men teams of Del Ruiz and Zhao.

It turns out the original X-Men members she saw were holograms as Victor Ten Eagles (who was a fellow outlaw with Xi’an in the old days) reveals that he opened his studio to few people and never to strangers. He allowed Krystalin in because he owes Xi’an a blood debt from their time together with the Lawless. As they talk, he explains to her his personal interest in the X-Men and the legacy.

Over at Iron Horse in Arizona, Hurricane talks with two trackers who were tied up. Meanstreak uses his super speed to dismantle the trackers’ suits of armor and examine the technologies within. He finds one Tetsuo Mark 6 signal beacon that was used to monitor armor in the field. He tells Hurricane she can use it as an advance warning the next time trackers are sent after her.

Hurricane tells the X-Men that she and the Freakshow never stay too long in one place. Moments later, the infected Metalhead tells Skullfire that he is trapped in his current metal form and could not change back…

Quality

To make things clear, this X-Men 2099 comic book is very engaging to read as it is filled with a lot of details that further expanded the lore of the 2099 universe concerning mutants and legacy of the X-Men in the 21st century. As such, I really enjoyed learning about the “future history” of the X-Men, how mutants struggled to survive in a corporation-controlled America, and why the wasteland became the 21st century’s very own Old West where danger and uncertainty are constant.

If have an obsession about the 2099 universe, there is a lot to discover and enjoy here. Xi’an’s pursuit for knowledge about the mutant underground and Hurricane’s involvement is compelling to read and what was revealed is worth discovering. Meanwhile, Krystalin and Ten Eagles’ exploration of facilities as they search for answers reminds me a lot about a notable part of the story in Beneath the Planet of the Apes.

Conclusion

X-Men 2099 #8 (1994) is a compelling read and it is one of the stronger references about the 2099 universe and the legacy of the X-Men from the time of Xavier to that of Zhao. The details revealed here are fine pay-offs to what was built up in the previous issues, and they connect well with the existence of Xi’an’s X-Men. This comic book will really help you understand the place of mutants in the 21st century and in my experience, the learning is enjoyable.

Overall, X-Men 2099 #8 (1994) is highly recommended.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #6 (1994)

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back, superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts, X-Men fans and comic book collectors! Today we revisit the Marvel Comics shared universe to examine one of the many tales of the X-Men 2099 monthly series.  

In late-1993, Marvel Comics published the Fall of the Hammer crossover storyline highlighting the major figures of Marvel 2099 and the X-Men members involved were only Skullfire, Krystalin, Bloodhawk and Meanstreak. As told in Ravage 2099 #15, the said X-Men members made it to Valhalla with Ravage. After the events of Fall of the Hammer, the four X-Men members survived and eventually started traveling all the way back West in America to rejoin the rest of the team.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men 2099 #6, published by Marvel Comics in 1994 with a story written by John Francis Moore and drawn by Ron Lim.

Early story

The story begins in Arizona when two fully armed personnel wearing suits of armor search for a monster-like mutant who tries to hide. The mutant is named Dominic and he eventually got corned by the two armored figures. As he is about to get shot, one of the armored guys got pushed by force somehow. The next moment, a gang of mutants called the Freakshow appears.

In the southern part of Nevada, Skullfire, Bloodhawk, Krystalin and Meanstreak travel in an aircraft going back to Xi’an and the rest of their teammates. As Bloodhawk jumps of after saying goodbye, Skullfire jumps off as well in a suicidal manner. He eventually grabs Bloodhawk by the ankle. Back at the aircraft, Krystalin and Meanstreak shared their respective observations about Skullfire’s sudden change of personality since the psychic vampire Luna messed with him… 

Quality

The script of this comic book was finely crafted by John Francis Moore and it is amazing how efficient he got the X-Men team back (after Skullfire, Krystalin, Meanstreak returned) on track while ensuring a good amount of depth as reflected in the dynamics between the team members as the story went on. The storytelling felt natural and really believable.

Along the way, this comic book shed light on team leader Xi’an and the threads of the past that came back to haunt to him. This instantly added a new layer of development on Xi’an which established an element of uncertainty on the future of the X-Men under him (and his personal struggles). That said, Xi’an does not have the rock-solid stability of Professor X (Charles Xavier) which will remind readers how different the X-Men of 2099 are from the classic X-Men.

The X-Men are on the search for a mutant called Hurricane who has been active on resisting the corporations’ control on the nation and has long emphasized liberty and self-control on personal living. Historically, Hurricane led a part of the Underground Railroad which carried mutants to safe haven during a time of terror and fear. That said, X-Men’s search has a heavy purpose and the challenges they faced here is gripping and intriguing to follow. I should also state that Ron Lim’s delivery of dynamic action is really good to look at.

Conclusion

X-Men 2099 #6 (1994) is both a solid follow-up to the events of the Fall of the Hammer storyline and also a fine portrayal of how the team works under Xi’an’s leadership. More notably, it pushed the narrative of the series forward and gave us readers an in-depth exploration of the isolated places of America’s southwestern region in 2099 which is a sharp contrast to that era’s New York City dominated by Alchemax. More notably, this comic book implemented renewed focus on the state of mutants who have been living in fear, danger and uncertainty in America of 2099 which connects directly with the purpose of the X-Men as a team.

Overall, X-Men 2099 #6 is recommended. (1994)

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #11 (1994)

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back, superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts, X-Men fans and comic book collectors! Today we revisit the Marvel Comics shared universe to examine one of the many tales of the X-Men 2099 monthly series.  

If there is anything notable about the futuristic X-Men, it is the separation of the team members that started really early in the monthly series. Meanstreak left the team to pursue something personal. A few members of the team – including Meanstreak – got involved in the Fall of the Hammer crossover storyline (click here, here and here), Metalhead got infected and decides to leave the team to stay with another group, and their leader Xi’an lost his way.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men 2099 #11, published by Marvel Comics in 1994 with a story written by John Francis Moore and drawn by Ron Lim.

Early story

The story begins with Tim Fitzgerald/Skullfire and Luna enjoying their time together outdoors. Tim, whose personality has changed into becoming radical and wild, tells her that he has not forgotten the anguish she put him in through the darkroom which made him relive the death of his beloved Reiko from some time ago.

As the tension between Tim and Luna intensifies, Xi’an tells him that they have to go to El Paso in Texas. It was Luna’s first time to meet Xi’an. The former leader of the X-Men states that they are closing in on the Driver…

Quality

Given the way the members of the X-Men got separated, the Moore-Lim duo succeeded in telling an intriguing story without even having a clear enemy for them to encounter. This is a tale about a drastically changed Xi’an (now arrogant and with an agenda of his own) develops into someone becoming more undesirable and dangerous with the passage of time. Similarly, Tim here is turning more unhinged and dangerous as he gradually turns into Skullfire (personally and visually) and Luna here is ironically the one keeping him stable.

On the other side, the remaining X-Men are still together but with a huge cloud of doubt over them. At this stage, Shakti/Cerebra – who was the faithful second-in-command when Xi’an still led the team – is taking more responsibilities as she gradually becomes the team leader. The writing done by John Francis Moore is rich when Shakti sticks strongly to principles during her interaction with Meanstreak who himself has turned uncertain about their status as a team. That said, there are certain traits of Xi’an visible in Shakti. Along the way, a few friends of the X-Men went away which added to the uncertainty that hounded them.

With regards to the reveal of the Driver on the cover of this comic book, the tale indeed reveals him and a new story thread about him was gradually built up. The Driver is Xi’an’s target and his act of helping one of the X-Men’s friends added to the suspense over what could happen next.

Conclusion

X-Men 2099 #11 (1994) is a very character-driven story from start to finish and the good news is that it is engaging and entertaining to read. The lack of a good-versus-evil conflict never hurt the story at all as Moore and Lim went deep to develop Tim, Xi’an and others while building up the pending encounter with the Driver. Not only that, having Tim and Xi’an more radicalized reflect the atmosphere of uncertainty and danger in the region (with lots of wilderness throughout and far away from the metropolis dominated by Alchemax) within America of 2099. It is a good read and I enjoyed the character development done by the creative duo.

Overall, X-Men 2099 #11 (1994) is recommended.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #2 (1993)

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back, superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts, X-Men fans and comic book collectors! Today we revisit the Marvel Comics shared universe to examine one of the many tales of the X-Men 2099 monthly series.  

Way back in 1993, I had a fun reading X-Men 2099 #1 as soon as it was released in the local comic book specialty store here in the Philippines. Back then, I was already into the 30th anniversary celebration of the X-Men while also reading more comic books about Marvel’s science fiction 2099 franchise of comic books. I love the way X-Men 2099 #1 ended as it was a powerful way of building up the tension and excitement that comes with waiting another 30 days for issue #2 to come out.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men 2099 #2, published by Marvel Comics in 1993 with a story written by John Francis Moore and drawn by Ron Lim.

Early story

The story begins with the X-Men desperately trying to escape as the arcology has been invaded by enforcers (also referred to as the Greater Nevada Syndicate) of the Synge casino. Their leader Xi’an is in critical condition after getting shot during an assassination attempt that happened moments earlier. The X-Men are inside their van speeding away and Meanstreak (Henri Huang) uses his super speed to run ahead of them to quickly check what awaits them all. During the ride, Krystalin learned of the news that Noah Synge has died and Xi’an has been blamed for murder. Cerebra confirmed that Xi’an expressed hatred towards Synge.

When the van finally reaches the outdoor area, the X-Men find themselves facing a large tank and a helicopter of the syndicate which anticipated their arrival. The syndicate tells them to surrender Xi’an…

Quality

As a follow-up to the impressive first issue, this one remains a very good read after all these decades. It is clear to me that John Francis Moore had carefully planned an engaging tale of the futuristic X-Men with Tim Fitzgerald (who will later be called Skullfire) as the symbolic reflection of the readers who get to discover more about the team, the situation they are in and why they exist in the first place.

As expected, the creative stuff that started in issue #1 progressed naturally as the story went on in this comic book. The X-Men of 2099 got away to find safety and get themselves organized as their leader remains in critical condition. Along the way, the syndicate itself gets adjusted as it has the son and daughter of Noah Synge taking over their evil empire suddenly. The syndicate is responsible for seven deaths, the wounding of nineteen people and the capture of over forty people as a result of their sudden invasion of the arcology and their attempt to assassinate Xi’an in retaliation of the death of Noah Synge. This was the creative duo’s way of telling readers who the bad guys are and why the X-Men are at a great disadvantage.

What I find engaging here is how the Moore-Lim duo emphasized Xi’an’s significance through flashbacks and background details (which further revealed more of the founding of the futuristic X-Men). This creative gamble worked wonders and clearly more than made up for the lack of dialogue and interactions from the X-Men’s leader. At the same time, the narrative has this flavor of conspiracy when the Synge empire was emphasized.

Conclusion

X-Men 2099 #2 (1993) is clearly a very good read. As a follow-up to the very solid issue #1, it added to the build-up emphasizing the futuristic X-Men a lot more while still having enough room to develop the Synge empire and its syndicate. Along the way there were some nice pay-offs to certain build-ups in issue #1 and there was a fine balance between action scenes and the plot/character development scenes. That said, this comic book is a solid bridge between issue #1 and the conclusion in issue #3.

Overall, X-Men 2099 #2 (1993) is highly recommended.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.

A Look Back at Robin #1 (1991)

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1991 to explore a part of the DC Comics shared universe through one very notable comic book featuring Batman’s sidekick Robin.

For decades, the Caped Crusader Batman (who is business tycoon Bruce Wayne during the day) had Robin as his skilled teenage partner fighting countless waves of criminals in many comic books published through the decades. The most notable fact about Robin is that there are three different characters who took the role as Batman’s sidekick…Dick Grayson (who later joined the Teen Titans and became Nightwing), Jason Todd (who died as a result of a warehouse explosion set up by the Joker who beat him mercilessly) and Tim Drake. Behind the scenes at DC Comics, a decision was made to publish a comic book mini-series featuring Tim Drake Robin.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Robin #1, published in 1991 by DC Comics with a story written by Chuck Dixon and drawn by the late Tom Lyle.

Early story

The story begins inside the Batcave. Tim Drake is still adjusting in his new role as Robin and right in front of Bruce Wayne (wearing his Batman costume), he feels uneasy deep inside even though he got the role after wanting it so badly. He just could not tell him how much it scares him.

Even though Tim admits he feels unsure and needs more time, Bruce tells him he is ready to be his partner. Still the new Boy Wonder says he is not sure if he has what it takes. Bruce reminds Tim that he has proven to be smart after figuring out correctly his secret identity as Batman. He tells him that he needs to develop himself more to gain his edge.

Meanwhile in Japan, the deadly assassin Lady Shiva meets the martial artist Koroshi and discovers he has been paralyzed and limited on a wheelchair…

Quality

As a tale strongly focused on Robin, this comic book has a fine blend of action, discovery, intrigue and even elements of culture clash. It gradually dramatizes Tim Drake’s development into Robin showing moments of trial-and-error, getting himself educated far away from home, experiencing humiliation and overcoming the odds while having limitations.

The script written by Chuck Dixon is not limited to presenting how the newest Robin came to be. I enjoyed how Dixon crafted Tim Drake’s private talks with Batman and the butler Alfred Pennyworth. Each interaction with the established characters were rich in details and there is that sense of the new Robin looking up to Batman as his mentor and to Alfred as a guidance councilor.

By going all the way to France to learn from an Asian master, Tim Drake’s journey has some similarities with how Bruce Wayne developed himself into becoming Batman. It should be noted that this tale took place sometime after the death of his predecessor Jason Todd (beaten by the Joker who eventually became the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations) and it is indeed a part of Batman becoming more stable after overcoming the trauma of Todd’s demise.

For those who still find Robin as an unbelievable teenage crime fighter simply because of his youth, there are young gangsters in this tale that symbolically are the opposites of Batman’s sidekick. This was Chuck Dixon’s way of reminding people that there are indeed teenage criminals or youth gangs that exist around the world. Such young criminals or abusers still exist to this day and Robin’s status as a teenage crime fighter is clearly justified.

As a standalone tale, this comic book is pretty good and there is clear coordination between Chuck Dixon and Tom Lyle who did a fine job visualizing the script. Lyle’s art has this fine balance visualizing character development scenes, transition scenes and dynamic action. Historically, Lyle went on to draw the Robin II and Robin III mini-series for DC Comics before moving to Marvel Comics to work on Spider-Man comic books. In this very comic book, you can see how talented Lyle really was on illustrations.

Conclusion

Even though I am not a fan of Robin, I can say that the Dixon-Lyle duo succeeded in making Robin #1 (1991) a really entertaining and engaging read. It definitely is a strong start to a Robin mini-series and also serves as a defining moment for Batman’s sidekick who also got modernized at the time.

Overall, Robin #1 (1991) is recommended.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

A Look Back at Web of Spider-Man #112 (1994)

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1994 to explore a part of the Marvel Comics shared universe through the Web of Spider-Man monthly series.

In this review, we will be looking at the 3rd chapter of the Pursuit storyline. Spider-Man #45 showed a broken-hearted Spider-Man who starts his quest for vengeance against the Chameleon whom he holds responsible for the deception that happened in Amazing Spider-Man #388. As the webslinger continued his search for answers while hurting a lot of thugs, the Chameleon deceptively hires the service of a contractor to kill Spider-Man. That said, the tension really built-up a lot and we will find out what will happen next.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Web of Spider-Man #112, published in 1994 by Marvel Comics with a story by Terry Kavanaugh and drawn by Alex Saviuk. This is the 3rd chapter of the Pursuit storyline.

Early story

The story begins deep within New York City. A bus full of prisoners and armed guards makes its way through the rough streets of the city. The guard notices that they are taking a long route and approached the bus driver – the Chameleon in disguise.

The Chameleon is aware that Spider-Man has been tracing him and he puts his sinister plan into action by suddenly hitting the brakes, helping the prisoners overcome the guards, and letting them loose in the city to spark chaos.

Spider-Man swings into action as prisoners get off the bus. Already stressed and obsessed with his search for the Chameleon, he lands on top of the bus and gains access through one of the windows. As the Chameleon fails to maintain his disguise, the webslinger notices him…

Quality

Following the events of the first two chapters, the storytelling in this comic book really turned intense as the stakes were raised. As expected, Spider-Man is doing things the hard way as his obsession for revenge against the Chameleon continues to burn strongly, and his wife Mary Jane is suffering from the loneliness connected with it.

On the raising of stakes in the plot, there is a theme about terrorism here which is dramatized through the Chameleon’s elaborate plan of setting off bombs in several parts of New York. As such, the story has this emphasis on chaos which works well with the webslinger’s state of madness and desperation. Along the way, Spider-Man’s humanity remains as dramatized in key points of the comic book.

In connection with the chaos and terrorism elements, the action here looked grounded with reality and Alex Saviuk’s style made the tale look gritty.

One notable part of this comic book shows the development of a separate sub-plot in Washington, D.C., which reflects developments that took place in Web of Spider-Man #109 to #111. It has a touch of politics and was effectively a distraction from the main story.  

Conclusion

Web of Spider-Man #112 (1994) is easily the most intense and most action-packed chapter of the Pursuit storyline. The themes of chaos and terrorism here easily overshadowed Spider-Man’s obsessive state and yet the creative team succeeded in moving the plot forward. That said, the stage is all set for the conclusion of the Pursuit storyline and I am looking forward to it.

Overall, Web of Spider-Man #112 (1994) is recommended.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

A Look Back at Spectacular Spider-Man #211 (1994)

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1990s arts and culture enthusiasts, Spider-Man fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1994 to examine a small part of the Marvel Comics shared universe through a tale of the Spectacular Spider-Man monthly series.

Following the tragedy told in Amazing Spider-Man #388, Spider-Man got broken emotionally and he started lusting for revenge against the Chameleon in Spider-Man #45 which marked the beginning of the Pursuit storyline. Along the way, the webslinger became more intense, more violent and his marriage with Mary Jane got strained even more.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Spectacular Spider-Man #211, published in 1994 by Marvel Comics with a story written by Mike Lackey and drawn by Sal Buscema. This is the 2nd chapter of the Pursuit storyline.

Early story

The story begins with Spider-Man overwhelming an entire gang of dangerous men on the rooftop of a building. Even though they were armed dangerous, the obsessed webslinger successfully hurt each of them until they fell down on the floor. He beat them all as he obsessively searched for answers about the Chameleon. One of them told Spider-Man they don’t know where the Chameleon is but they heard that he offered a million Dollars to hit him (Spidey). Realizing that he just had another dead end for his search, the webslinger traps them all with his web and then swings away to another destination.

Meanwhile at one of the units of a residential tower in New York, the Chameleon cannot help but smash a lot of things as he struggles with his anger and hatred with Spider-Man. He knows that it is a matter of time before the webslinger finds him…

Quality

In this 2nd chapter of the Pursuit storyline, things really intensified as the plot unraveled. As Spider-Man does his search for the Chameleon and answers, the said super villain executed his strategies that involve deception and deep resources that go beyond money. As such, the webslinger became the target of Tracer who has a powered suit of armor and high-tech weaponry.

As anticipated, Spider-Man remains driven by revenge in his quest for the Chameleon and because of his broken emotional state, he has gotten more violent with his physical action. He also turned sarcastic in key moments which is a lively reminder that this Spider-Man is no longer the friendly neighborhood hero he used to be. The famous webslinger is not completely unhinged here as his concern for bystanders showed he still has some humanity left within him.

When it comes to the Chameleon, this comic book portrays him to be very cunning and resourceful. His deception towards others might draw emotions from you and might make you wish he will suffer a lot once Spider-Man finds him.

Conclusion

As the 2nd part of the Pursuit storyline, Spectacular Spider-Man #211 (1994) delivers a portrayal of a deeply hurt Spider-Man whose lust for revenge keeps him going no matter what obstacles he faces. As readers, we witness his intense search for the dreaded villain Chameleon as well as his emotional deterioration. That said, this comic book has a somewhat depressing tone as Spider-Man’s life gets worse and his wife Mary Jane is suffering too. Ultimately, this comic book convinced me to continue with the storyline.

Overall, Spectacular Spider-Man #211 (1994) is recommended.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

A Look Back at Team 7 #3 (1994)

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1990s arts and culture enthusiasts, Image Comics fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1995 to take a close look at one of the many tales of the original WildStorm universe through one of the comic books of the first mini-series of Team 7.

For the newcomers reading this, Team 7 is set in the past within the original WildStorm universe. This is the special forces team that had major WildStorm heroes – Grifter (WildCATS: Covert Action Teams), Backlash, Jackson Dane (Wetworks), John Lynch (Gen13) and Michael Cray (Deathblow) – who were younger, were proficient with combat and gained special abilities as a result of a sinister move by their superiors. Issue #2 took place after the team got exposed to something they never anticipated and their superiors knew it.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Team 7 #3, published in 1994 by Image Comics with a story written by Chuck Dixon and drawn by Aron Wiesenfeld. This is the 3rd chapter of a 4-issue mini-series.

Early story

Set in the 1970s, the surviving Team 7 members (already exposed to the chemical agent) are in the middle of a new mission somewhere in East Africa. Because their teammate Johnson abused his new power to manipulate a black general to kill himself against his own will, Cole Cash eliminates Johnson causing John Lynch to be outraged. Cash tells Lynch that Johnson lost himself completely. He also tells him to list Johnson as MIA (missing-in-action) and turn a blind eye as before.

Lynch points his gun at Cash’s head believing he is standing for the mission and rules. After Cash tells him that they are monsters and that the world is better off without them, Lynch relents and shoots the wall instead. The mission concludes and Team 7 goes home by helicopter.

As the ride goes on, John Lynch thinks very deeply about everything that happened since they got exposed to the chemical agent. He realizes that they were exposed to genetic altering elements and wonders if he and his teammates were nothing more than lab rats for International Operations (IO)…

Quality

If there is anything notable here apart from the continued dark and gritty tone, the plot really thickened clearly. At this stage, it is more obvious that the superiors have indeed something more sinister planned for Team 7 to endure. They know that the infected team members are closing ranks to protect itself which means they are ready for the so-called final test.

Along the way, John Lynch gradually realizes the evil of his superiors and being the field leader, he begins to analyze what is best for him and his teammates and which options to take knowing the betrayal from above. Quitting is simply not an option for Lynch and the pressure builds up as the story went on. Cole Cash here sees things very clearly and he easily became the pathfinder among Team 7 members. When he scolds his teammate Fairchild (father of Gen13’s Caitlin Fairchild) for abusing his power in a public place while off-duty, it is clear that Cash wants to keep the team together by means of keeping together while maintaining sanity.

As for Team 7 itself, there is something intriguing that awaits readers once they start their new mission here. I won’t spoil it and it has to be seen. Simply grab a copy of this comic book, read it and pay attention to the details. It’s strong stuff from the creative team.

Conclusion

Team 7 #3 (1994) has a lot of intrigue as the plot thickened. At this stage, it is clear that IO is really up to no good and Team 7 is symbolically their scientific and military experiment. Fortunately for the team, they have John Lynch and Cole Cash as the reasonable members who are able to cut through the noise and became aware of what IO has been executing. The stage is set for the concluding issue and this comic book is indeed a solid build-up and also an engaging WildStorm read.

Overall, Team 7 #3 (1994) is recommended.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

A Look Back at Gen13 #1 (1994)

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back, superhero fans, 1990s arts and culture enthusiasts, Image Comics fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the mid-1990s to examine one of the many tales of Jim Lee’s original WildStorm universe through the original Gen13 mini-series.

There is a lot to enjoy in the WildStorm comic book universe of the 1990s with such titles like WildCATS: Covert Action Teams, Team 7, StormWatch, Grifter, Backlash and Wetworks to name some. The WildStorm depicts the world as chaotic filled with strong paramilitary concepts, conspiracies and even aliens from deep space.

Along the way, WildStorm has its own take on the sub-genre of super-powered teenagers which was realized as Gen13 (stylized as Gen13). Strangely enough, the team – which actually first appeared in the Deathmate Black crossover comic book in 1993 – was originally titled as Gen X but WildStorm had to rebrand it into Gen13 as Marvel Comics already trademarked the name Generation X for an X-Men-related comic book project. To learn more about production history and background of Gen13, click here.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Gen13 #1, published by Image Comics in 1994 with a story written by Jim Lee and Brandon Choi with artwork done by Jeffrey Scott Campbell (ink work by Alex Garner). This is the first issue of the mini-series.  

Early story

The story begins sometime in 1979 when a married couple (Stephen and Rachel Callahan) desperate runs away with their two little children. A team of armored troops (the Black Razors) riding two hovering vehicles catches up with them and hit Rachel with bullets passing through her body. Stephen, who is carrying his son Matthew, uses his power to destroy one of the hovering vehicles. One of the Black Razors realized that the husband is gen-active and nobody informed their team that he was with Gen12.

Agonizing with severe head pain, Stephen tells Matthew to take his little sister Nicole with him and run to the trees. As far as Stephen is concerned, he is finished and all he can do is buy time for the two little children to escape. He tells Matthew to protect his sister. Suddenly, the Black Razors killed Stephen right in front of Matthew and Nicole.

Fifteen years later, a young, nerdy college student named Caitlin Fairchild makes her way through the college campus in Princeton. She is a gifted student who has been focused on maintaining a high grade and graduate with her advanced degree in computer science in the near future.

Upon arriving at the dormitory, she meets her promiscuous roommate Alexa who informs her that some guys arrived earlier looking for her. The guys were described as middle-aged suits and they wanted to talk to Caitlin about some internship program. Alexa then leaves.

A few hours later, Caitlin wakes up as the door gets knocked. Special agent baker of the National Security Committee tells her that she has been accepted into the Gen13 program and her presence is immediately required in order to process her into the program before it begins the next day…

Quality

I enjoyed this comic book the first time I had it in 1994. I can clearly say that it is still fun and engaging to read again today.

This comic book was written with the intention to introduce super-powered teenagers as a new and really distinctive team in one corner of the original WildStorm universe while also expanding the lore by focusing more on International Operations’ unethical covert operations which will easily remind people about government conspiracies, top secret missions and the like. The story has really strong elements about conspiracies, unethical scientific experiments and even human rights violations. The story by Jim Lee and Brandon Choi has a strong structure but what stood out to me was the really creative writing done to bring the characters to life complete with a touch of the 1990s vibe (in reference to comic book trends and real-life society).

John Lynch, a former member of Team 7 and also one of the high-ranking officials of IO who occasionally appeared in prior WildStorm comic books, gets a nice share of the spotlight in the story and indeed he is not full control of his organization. In fact, IO’s execution of a new program about developing people with special abilities or powers (without their knowledge) raises Lynch’s concerns as he himself was a victim of betrayal and exposure to an experimental gas during his time with Team 7. Lynch also appeared in The Kindred mini-series (read my reviews by clicking here, here and here).

When it comes to the characters, Gen13’s members here are introduced with notable differences in terms of personality. The nerdy Caitlin Fairchild is the very promising smart young lady who has the potential to succeed. Bobby (Burnout) is the quiet guy who quickly realizes that true unity is needed in order for a group to succeed under the program they are in. Roxy is the undisciplined and rebellious young lady while Grunge is the loose cannon and has trouble with authorities. While it is clear you won’t see much of their powers yet in this comic book, they turned out to be interesting enough to follow thanks to the strong creative writing by Lee and Choi.

When it comes to the visuals, Jeffrey Scott Campbell’s artworks really stood out mainly due to his distinctive style. If you look closely at how he draws the faces of women – particularly the ones who are young and fit – you will realize the exaggerated look complete with the big eyes and curves seen on females in anime or even manga (Japanese comics). If you are looking visual realism on the characters, you won’t find it here at all. Campbell’s style truly defined the look of the characters and yet he was able to draw armored troops (Black Razors and the armed security guard) with a really high level of details (including their weapons) which really stood out visually. Campbell is also good with superhero spectacle and hard action. Last but not least, there is a deliberate amount of erotic imagery in this comic book which serves as a reminder that this is a story aimed at young adult and adult readers.  

Conclusion

Indeed, Gen13 #1 (1994) remains entertaining to read mainly because of the strong writing. The story moved at a smooth pace, the exposition was done cleverly, and the characters ended up being worthy enough to pay attention to. By the time I reached the end, I am convinced to go on to the next issue and rediscover not only more of the mini-series but also the way it expanded the lore of the WildStorm universe of the 1990s. This comic book alone strongly emphasized the connections with other elements of the WildStorm universe, particularly with Team 7 (its mini-series launched months after this one) and the dark legacy of IO. It is an adulterated superhero comic book that really offered readers something new and intriguing.

Overall, Gen13 #1 (1994) is recommended.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.

A Look Back at X-O Manowar #1 (1992)

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1990s arts and culture enthusiasts, Valiant Comics fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the early 1990s to examine a key part of the Valiant Comics universe through a tale of X-O Manowar.

Valiant – under the banner of Voyager Communications – was established in 1989 by former Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Jim Shooter and Steven Massarsky. This happened following their failed attempt to acquire Marvel Comics. Early on, Valiant hired several creators from Marvel and together they brainstormed to create an all-new shared superhero comics universe which will have varied characters of originally creations as well as some licensed creations. In 1991, the company officially launched with titles of Magnus: Robot Fighter and Solar: Man of the Atom.

In 1992, the first wave of Valiant’s original intellectual properties were launched starting with Harbinger in January followed by X-O Manowar in February.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-O Manowar #1, published in 1992 by Valiant Comics with a story written by the late Jim Shooter and Steve Englehart with art by Barry Windsor-Smith.

Early story

The story begins inside an alien space ship traveling through deep space. A brave Visigoth warrior named Aric fights hard against Spider Aliens which he referred to as hard-skins. Even though he is naked and surrounded, he is determined to kill the aliens which have kept him as their slave and prisoner for many years.

Using the makeshift map marked by blood on his right palm, Aric makes his way through the ship until he finds a futuristic, metallic armor which puzzles him as he anticipated something useful in his desperate fight against the aliens. As a Spider Alien approaches him, Aric remembered the map giver advised him to take the ring which he does.

Suddenly, the armor moves to fit into him. Aric calls the armor a good skin and he realizes that it is stronger than fire-light. By instinct, Aric fires a powerful energy blast which not only kills two Spider Aliens but also damaged the hull of the space ship leading him into outer space.

When the space ship blows up near him, the armored Aric is pushed down into Earth’s atmosphere landing him on a snowy hill. He takes the armor off, leaves it behind and walks away fully naked. He still has the ring with him…  

Quality

Reading this Valiant comic book is indeed a great experience and it has indeed aged well. Right from the start, Aric is the protagonist designed to lead readers to get immersed into the story, follow his experiences, learn from his views and discoveries, and experience his development.

The story Jim Shooter and Steve Englehart came up with had a really strong structure and the narrative moved at a consistent medium-pace which allowed readers to follow the developments and learn the details.

As the titular hero, Aric here is a man from the distant past of Earth who got abducted by aliens and spent time as a prisoner and a slave in space for a number of years (note: time on Earth moved faster due to time dilation) before finally being able to free himself using his bravery and the armor.

Aric was written to be a man out of time and in this comic book, you will see how he struggles to not only survive but also adjust to life in 20th century Earth. He no longer has his tribe and the ancient world he lived in has long passed away. With the ring still with him, Aric holds the key and the ability to control the armor, and this makes the people of Orb Industries (a company serving as a front of the Spider Aliens who turned out to be operating in Earth for centuries) bothered. As such, Orb sees Aric as prey (who tasted power with the armor) and they have so much resources to commit mass murder and destruction just to get to him.  

The build-up of the tale gradually intensified as the narrative moved on. The good news here is that the pay-offs are very rewarding to see. The spectacle is a mix of explosive scenes, shooting and superhero action with a strong science fiction flavor.

Conclusion

X-O Manowar #1 (1992) is absolutely a great comic to read and also one of the very best superhero introduction ever told. It has an adulterated tale that is believable and compelling to follow. By the time I reached the end of the story, Aric became a more relatable protagonist and I am convinced to follow the next issue. The story Shooter and Englehart came up with is indeed immersive and there Valiant shared universe itself became even more attractive to discover. There is no surprise that this comic book is one of the most significant comic book launches of Valiant.

Overall, X-O Manowar #1 (1992) is highly recommended!

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

A Look Back at Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire #3 (1996)

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back science fiction enthusiasts, 20th century pop culture enthusiasts, Star Wars fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1996 to examine the 3rd chapter of a very notable Star Wars storyline that took place between the films The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi…Shadows of the Empire!  

With the first two issues of Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire released (click here and here), the overall concept of the storyline has firmly been set and with sub-plots moving. This includes characters and developments that were not reflected nor referenced at in Return of the Jedi. At this stage, there is both excitement and suspense to look forward to.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire #3, published in 1996 by Dark Horse Comics with a story written by John Wagner and drawn by Kilian Plunkett. This is the 3rd chapter of the 6-issue mini-series.  

Early story

The story begins with the gang of Gizman – including the newcomer Jix – who visit Jabba The Hutt in his palace for an important meeting. After expressing doubt about Jix, Jabba tells the gang that he is aware of Luke Skywalker’s presence in Tatooine and he has been signed near the former dwelling of Ben Kenobi. Jabba finds Skywalker more valuable to him dead. A short time later, Jix asked why does Jabba want Skywalker dead when Darth Vader will on pay for him to be living. This causes a bit of tension within the gang.

With R2D2 present with him at Obi-Wan’s old place, Luke Skywalker completed his brand-new lightsaber. Suddenly a laser blast almost hits them both and Luke realizes that the gang (which just met Jabba) is fast approaching them. The laser blast came from Jix who was told to hold his fire. Moments later, Luke takes down the first gang member who arrived using his new lightsaber…

Quality

Like issue #2, the intrigue and twists kept on happening as the pay-offs to the previous issue’s build-up got executed. Indeed, the story here moved Shadows of the Empire’s concept forward gradually and what was shown is both entertaining and engaging.

You will see here Luke Skywalker’s first-ever use of his then new green-colored lightsaber (the same one in Return of the Jedi) as he becomes a target of Jabba The Hutt who has a violent gang targeting him. Dash Rendar, arguably a creative stand-in for Han Solo in this storyline and also the playable protagonist in the Nintendo 64 video game, becomes even more important as he took the risk of involving himself with Luke as the gang attacked. The interaction between Dash and Luke here is believable to follow and makes a lot of sense within the context of this storyline.

What I found captivating here was the scene in which Darth Vader actually (and bravely) objected to Emperor Palpatine’s plan. The scene was pretty short but it was a powerful display of tension and even division between them. Along the way, Prince Xizor remains relevant with regards to the potential events waiting to happen while more of Boba Fett’s struggle being targeted (as the frozen body of Han Solo is a very valuable prize for other bounty hunters) by others was dramatized nicely.

Conclusion

Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire #3 (1996) succeeded in moving the story developments forward while ending up being entertaining enough. The speed bike chase in Beggar’s Canyon along was exhilarating to see and the dramatic moments of the sub-plots had impact. Right now, I am convinced to keep on reading more of Shadows of the Empire.

Overall, Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire #3 (1996) is recommended.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

A Look Back at Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire #3 (1996)

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back science fiction enthusiasts, 20th century pop culture enthusiasts, Star Wars fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1996 to examine the 3rd chapter of a very notable Star Wars storyline that took place between the films The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi…Shadows of the Empire!  

With the first two issues of Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire released (click here and here), the overall concept of the storyline has firmly been set and with sub-plots moving. This includes characters and developments that were not reflected nor referenced at in Return of the Jedi. At this stage, there is both excitement and suspense to look forward to.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire #3, published in 1996 by Dark Horse Comics with a story written by John Wagner and drawn by Kilian Plunkett. This is the 3rd chapter of the 6-issue mini-series.  

Early story

The story begins with the gang of Gizman – including the newcomer Jix – who visit Jabba The Hutt in his palace for an important meeting. After expressing doubt about Jix, Jabba tells the gang that he is aware of Luke Skywalker’s presence in Tatooine and he has been signed near the former dwelling of Ben Kenobi. Jabba finds Skywalker more valuable to him dead. A short time later, Jix asked why does Jabba want Skywalker dead when Darth Vader will on pay for him to be living. This causes a bit of tension within the gang.

With R2D2 present with him at Obi-Wan’s old place, Luke Skywalker completed his brand-new lightsaber. Suddenly a laser blast almost hits them both and Luke realizes that the gang (which just met Jabba) is fast approaching them. The laser blast came from Jix who was told to hold his fire. Moments later, Luke takes down the first gang member who arrived using his new lightsaber…

Quality

Like issue #2, the intrigue and twists kept on happening as the pay-offs to the previous issue’s build-up got executed. Indeed, the story here moved Shadows of the Empire’s concept forward gradually and what was shown is both entertaining and engaging.

You will see here Luke Skywalker’s first-ever use of his then new green-colored lightsaber (the same one in Return of the Jedi) as he becomes a target of Jabba The Hutt who has a violent gang targeting him. Dash Rendar, arguably a creative stand-in for Han Solo in this storyline and also the playable protagonist in the Nintendo 64 video game, becomes even more important as he took the risk of involving himself with Luke as the gang attacked. The interaction between Dash and Luke here is believable to follow and makes a lot of sense within the context of this storyline.

What I found captivating here was the scene in which Darth Vader actually (and bravely) objected to Emperor Palpatine’s plan. The scene was pretty short but it was a powerful display of tension and even division between them. Along the way, Prince Xizor remains relevant with regards to the potential events waiting to happen while more of Boba Fett’s struggle being targeted (as the frozen body of Han Solo is a very valuable prize for other bounty hunters) by others was dramatized nicely.

Conclusion

Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire #3 (1996) succeeded in moving the story developments forward while ending up being entertaining enough. The speed bike chase in Beggar’s Canyon along was exhilarating to see and the dramatic moments of the sub-plots had impact. Right now, I am convinced to keep on reading more of Shadows of the Empire.

Overall, Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire #3 (1996) is recommended.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

A Look Back at Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire #3 (1996)

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back science fiction enthusiasts, 20th century pop culture enthusiasts, Star Wars fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1996 to examine the 3rd chapter of a very notable Star Wars storyline that took place between the films The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi…Shadows of the Empire!  

With the first two issues of Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire released (click here and here), the overall concept of the storyline has firmly been set and with sub-plots moving. This includes characters and developments that were not reflected nor referenced at in Return of the Jedi. At this stage, there is both excitement and suspense to look forward to.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire #3, published in 1996 by Dark Horse Comics with a story written by John Wagner and drawn by Kilian Plunkett. This is the 3rd chapter of the 6-issue mini-series.  

Early story

The story begins with the gang of Gizman – including the newcomer Jix – who visit Jabba The Hutt in his palace for an important meeting. After expressing doubt about Jix, Jabba tells the gang that he is aware of Luke Skywalker’s presence in Tatooine and he has been signed near the former dwelling of Ben Kenobi. Jabba finds Skywalker more valuable to him dead. A short time later, Jix asked why does Jabba want Skywalker dead when Darth Vader will on pay for him to be living. This causes a bit of tension within the gang.

With R2D2 present with him at Obi-Wan’s old place, Luke Skywalker completed his brand-new lightsaber. Suddenly a laser blast almost hits them both and Luke realizes that the gang (which just met Jabba) is fast approaching them. The laser blast came from Jix who was told to hold his fire. Moments later, Luke takes down the first gang member who arrived using his new lightsaber…

Quality

Like issue #2, the intrigue and twists kept on happening as the pay-offs to the previous issue’s build-up got executed. Indeed, the story here moved Shadows of the Empire’s concept forward gradually and what was shown is both entertaining and engaging.

You will see here Luke Skywalker’s first-ever use of his then new green-colored lightsaber (the same one in Return of the Jedi) as he becomes a target of Jabba The Hutt who has a violent gang targeting him. Dash Rendar, arguably a creative stand-in for Han Solo in this storyline and also the playable protagonist in the Nintendo 64 video game, becomes even more important as he took the risk of involving himself with Luke as the gang attacked. The interaction between Dash and Luke here is believable to follow and makes a lot of sense within the context of this storyline.

What I found captivating here was the scene in which Darth Vader actually (and bravely) objected to Emperor Palpatine’s plan. The scene was pretty short but it was a powerful display of tension and even division between them. Along the way, Prince Xizor remains relevant with regards to the potential events waiting to happen while more of Boba Fett’s struggle being targeted (as the frozen body of Han Solo is a very valuable prize for other bounty hunters) by others was dramatized nicely.

Conclusion

Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire #3 (1996) succeeded in moving the story developments forward while ending up being entertaining enough. The speed bike chase in Beggar’s Canyon along was exhilarating to see and the dramatic moments of the sub-plots had impact. Right now, I am convinced to keep on reading more of Shadows of the Empire.

Overall, Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire #3 (1996) is recommended.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

A Look Back at Resident Evil: The Official Comic Book Magazine #4 (1998)

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back, 1990s arts and culture enthusiasts, video game enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the late-1990s to examine another issue of the magazine-sized comic book series titled Resident Evil: The Official Comic Book Magazine.

Having read the first three issues of the RE comic book magazine series, I can say that the quality has been mixed. While issue #2 had pretty bad Resident Evil 2 illustrated adaptation, issue #3 had a short story that functioned as a sequel to Resident Evil (1996) in the form of a polished fan fiction. There were other short stories that turned out serviceable to intriguing and surprisingly entertaining to read. How much creative freedom WildStorm had in its publishing deal with Capcom remains unclear.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Resident Evil: The Official Comic Book Magazine #4, published by WildStorm/Image Comics in 1998 with short stories written by Ted Adams, Marc Mostman and Kris Oprisko, and drawn by Rafael Kayanan, Ryan Odagawa and Norman Felchie.

Early stories

Night Stalkers – In a sleepy town in the southwestern part of America, two men suddenly got abducted by humanoid bats (referred to as “zombie bats” by the publisher) and were brought to a secret facility of Umbrella. The scientists of Umbrella have the technology to control the bats and they have already abducted many people who became helpless subjects of a transmutation process. Back in the sleepy town, the community is panicking and the son of the sheriff was rescued from a group of humanoid bats. In response to the town’s call for help, the United States government sends agent Leon Kennedy to solve their problem.

Special Delivery – Two helicopter operators working for Umbrella are tasked to lift special containers of their company’s bio-weapons. Their goal is to drop specific containers at different sites within and outside of Raccoon City. One by one, the monsters of Umbrella are dropped in some very unsuspecting laps from above.

Zombies Aboard – Inside the airplane, Chris Redfield, his sister Claire and Barry Burton realize the there is nobody left to pilot the aircraft. Using the flight training he had with S.T.A.R.S., Chris takes control of the airplane.

Quality

This early, I can say that I was entertained by this Resident Evil comic book.

The first short story Night Stalkers is WildStorm’s next attempt of making a sequel to Resident Evil following Leon Kennedy on his mission to take on Umbrella and the town it affected. There are no zombies but Umbrella’s scientists and the project leader are using man-sized bats to spread the G-virus and their methods clearly caused human rights violations on the victims. This short story, which was well written and had a good structure, is actually prophetic because it portrayed Leon Kennedy as an agent of the US government and this comic book was released many years before Resident Evil 4 (2005) came out. For context, Leon Kennedy in RE4 worked for the US government and his mission was to rescue the American President’s daughter. In the short story and in the said video game, both versions of Leon Kennedy showed him being very proficient with action and he has no fear going up against multiple enemies. One has to wonder if RE creator and RE4 game director Shinji Mikami ever read Night Stalkers for inspiration. Night Stalkers is entertaining.

The second short story Special Delivery is a really intriguing look at the personnel who operated the helicopter to transport Umbrella’s monsters. This is in reference to what happened in Resident Evil 2 as Mr. X got dropped down. There are no established characters here but that’s not a problem because the story made a lot of sense and fit in nicely with the Resident Evil universe. It also shows how unethical, cold-hearted and evil Umbrella really is not only towards its business rivals but also against humanity. This one is surprisingly entertaining.

The final short story Zombies Aboard follows Chris, Jill and Barry Burton on their high-risk mission to find Umbrella in Europe and stop them from causing danger on the world. This is the continuation of Dead Air in issue #3 and it was a serious attempt by WildStorm creators to function as a sequel to the RE games of the time. With regards to its quality, the short story was structured with action and horror in mind. While the three established RE characters search for Umbrella, the story lacked depth as there is way too little detective elements in it. Instead, you will see the S.T.A.R.S. members firing or stabbing or slashing zombies they encountered from England to Germany (the story never showed the authorities reacting to the collateral damage caused by the three), and it is at the very end of the tale when the suspense and horror came in. This short story is clearly less engaging compared to its predecessor. At least the art work is good and the artist did not hold back on the violence.

Conclusion

With the three stories featured, Resident Evil: The Official Comic Book Magazine #4 (1998) is just as entertaining as issue #3. For me, the only letdown was the final short story. The highlight was actually the first short story as it turned out to be very prophetic as to how Leon Kennedy would eventually turn out in video games – the brave and dynamic action hero millions of fans and gamers today enjoy.

Overall, Resident Evil: The Official Comic Book Magazine #4 (1998) is recommended.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.

A Look Back at Resident Evil: The Official Comic Book Magazine #3 (1998)

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back, 1990s arts and culture enthusiasts, video game enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the late-1990s to examine another issue of the magazine-sized comic book series titled Resident Evil: The Official Comic Book Magazine.

By the time WildStorm Productions released the 3rd issue in 1998, many millions of gamers around the world played Resident Evil 2 on PlayStation. The Resident Evil fanbase expanded dramatically and many of them completed the game’s multiple scenarios. At the same time, Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield became popular characters in gaming.

The 2nd issue I reviewed had a very bad adaptation of Resident Evil 2’s story. What prevented the comic book from ending up as a complete disaster were the two other short stories which were surprisingly entertaining to read. Still, I wonder if Shinji Mikami and the game developers ever saw the abysmal Resident Evil 2 adaptation in the 2nd issue.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Resident Evil: The Official Comic Book Magazine #3, published by WildStorm/Image Comics in 1998 with short stories written by Ted Adams and Kris Oprisko, and drawn by Ryan Odagawa, Carlos D’Anda and Lee Bermejo.

Early stories

Wolf Hunt – At Raccoon City College, a few students talk about someone who got killed at school and her body was all torn up. They aware that the authorities are keeping the story out of the papers to avoid causing a panic. In the evening, of the students got harmed by a ferocious monster. The next day at S.T.A.R.S. headquarters, Albert Wesker, Jill Valentine and Barry Burton discuss the killings that happened at the city college. They were asked by the local police to investigate what happened. Jill takes the assignment of going undercover as a student.

Danger Island – A man and a woman arrive at Isla Bonale in Caribbean for a vacation. The island is so exclusive, they only let ten couples on it at a time. After having a romantic night of dinner and dancing, they decide to go snorkeling and rent a boat. Just as they start snorkeling, a plane crashes on the island.

Dead Air – Following the events of Resident Evil (1996) and Resident Evil 2, Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine and Barry Burton start traveling to Europe with the goal of ending Umbrella’s current progress on a new variation of the T-virus even though they have to go undercover. They have the support of a top-secret international agency which already has someone in place to help them. Meanwhile, Umbrella has a spy watching on the three.

Quality

Similar to issue #2, this comic book has three short stories and some extras.

The short story Wolf Hunt, which took place before the events of the original Resident Evil game of 1996, has the odd concept of having werewolves existing within the RE universe. Werewolves are often super natural and such monsters don’t align with the sci-fi and biological aspects of the Resident Evil games. In fairness, the creative team had this interesting concept of having Jill Valentine going undercover as a student in the city college to find answers and solve the problem. I should state that the artwork by Ryan Odagawa is good overall although his take on Jill Valentine is cartoonish. This story is pretty short and lacked a solid conclusion. It’s really a glorified piece of fan fiction that should interest fans of the 1996 game.

Danger Island, the 2nd short story, is easily the gem of this comic book. This is a completely original tale that has brand-new lead characters – the couple Stan and Leslie – and an island as the setting. Without spoiling the plot, this is a suspense story with a moderate pace, some dynamic visuals and a good implementation of elements from the lore of Resident Evil. The creative team behind this tale emphasized that as long as Umbrella and is biological experiments exist, danger and death will creep up on people regardless of location. A notable monster species from Resident Evil 2 is included here and the effects the G-virus has on creatures on the island are cleverly presented complete with nice artwork by Lee Bermejo.

Through the couple, readers will feel the danger, desperation and anxiety as the story went on. How the story ended is a must-see and I am confident it will encourage you to revisit Resident Evil 2.  

The final tale Dead Air is a daring attempt by WildStorm’s creators to make a sequel to the first two games. As mentioned above, Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine and Barry Burton are together on a high-risk mission to find and stop Umbrella in Europe. The main setting is inside a commercial flight where a zombie outbreak happens. Without their weapons, Chris, Jill and Barry are compelled to use alternative items and ways to overcome the zombies.

While this tale is packed with action and the violence is uncompromised, something is off with the way Jill Valentine is portrayed. She is more violent with action and even expressed sarcasm. This tale is pretty short as the comic book made it clear that the continuation will happen in the next issue. Considering what was told in Resident Evil: Code Veronica (released in 2000 with Chris and Claire Redfield included), Dead Air is clearly a non-canon Resident Evil tale and it is at best a polished piece of fan fiction by WildStorm.  

When it comes to the extras, you will find the Readers Art gallery and The Resident Evil Files (featuring Chris Redfield and his sister Claire). The most notable extra stuff here, however, is another interview with Resident Evil creator/producer Shinji Mikami and you will even see a few pictures of not just him but also Hideki Kamiya (the game director of Resident Evil 2 who went on to produce lots of highly entertaining games through the decades) and members of the team behind the RE games of the time. Enjoy the pages of the interview below.

Conclusion

Considering the qualities of the three short stories and the extra stuff, Resident Evil: The Official Comic Book Magazine #3 (1998) is easily a huge improvement over issue #2. The quality and creativity of the short stories are better, the interview with Shinji Mikami was worth reading and the comic book itself is more entertaining. That said, I am convinced to move on to the next Resident Evil comic book.

Overall, Resident Evil: The Official Comic Book Magazine #3 (1998) is recommended.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.