Bizarre Adventures #30 - Marvel

Feb. 1982 - He is Paradox!

Who, exactly, is Paradox? I found that out for the first time myself reading this issue, in a story called "Saturn's Secret" by Bill Mantlo, Mike Vosburg, and...Joe Jusko?

I can't exactly tell what Joe did in this issue...the inks and wash tones, perhaps? Joe, if you're reading this, clue us in!

Anyway, after the unusual splash page:

We open on the planet Mercury, in the future, where Man now has the ability to breed an off-shoot of their species, a group of beings bred to be able to survive (and work) on the scorching hot planet, to mine it for metals needed for Man's growing empire to thrive.

But of course there's tension, leading to this new breed of humans to break free of their masters and declare open rebellion!

On Earth, we meet Paradox who is, Mantlo informs us, "the Empire's premier antigravity danseur."

He is met by several agents of the government, who want to hire him to quell this rebellion. And as we see, not all of them think too highly of Paradox:

He agrees to the mission, reluctantly, after being told all the other agents that have been sent on this mission have failed. After they leave, Paradox talks to a hologram of a woman named Catherine, whom he acts as though is really there. Hmm...

On Paradox's way to Mercury, we're given an interesting glimpse of the rules of this kind of society. The humans treat the aliens with contempt, and when two teenage girls rudely push an alien girl over to get Paradox's autograph, he teaches them a lesson:

Soon enough Paradox arrives on Mercury, where he meets up with a team of other agents all sent to quell the rebellion.

Turns out Paradox is well named, because he turns out to be on the opposite side of his employers, helping to turn these enslaved people free!

Years ago, Paradox helped jail this woman, Catherine, for crimes against the government. But then he fell in love with her, and came around to her way of thinking. When she was brutally raped and murdered by his own kind, he resolved himself to be come a sort of double agent. As he watches the revolution happen right before his eyes, he thinks of her:

Definitely some interesting stuff going on here. Bill Mantlo manages to get a lot of info across about the world of Paradox, and still finds time for Marvel-style action. Paradox is definitely not your typical hero.

Next is a story called "Silhouette" by Peter Gillis and Gene Day, about two different sets of people chasing after a valuable element. I had a hard time figuring out what the heck was going on a lot of the time, though Day's art is nice.

Next is a great little tale, "Honor", by Steve Skeates, John Buscema, and Bob Wiacek:

...interesting to see Big John render a sci-fi tale, but of course he does just fine. And no offense to guys like Tony DeZuniga or Ernie Chan, but I really liked Bob Wiacek's inking over Buscema's pencils:

This story only runs five pages, and wraps up with a nasty, downbeat ending. A nice little tale, would've made a great episode of Outer Limits.

Last is the regular BA feature, "Bucky Bizarre" by Skeates and Steve Smallwood, wrapping up an unusual issue that had some definite interesting moments.

Bizarre Adventures #28 - Marvel

Oct. 1981 - It's good to be back!

This was one of the mags I picked up at the NY Comic Con a few weeks ago, and I can't believe it's taken me this long to get a hold of it.

I remember seeing this cover (by Bob Larkin) all over other Marvel comics when it came out, and I wondered at the time--what the hell are Elektra, Triton, are some karate-looking guys all doing in the same comic? Is this some new, even more disparate version of The Champions?

The theme, of course, is "Unlikely Heroes" and that's a pretty good way of retrofitting the use of these vastly different characters in a book. Larkin's cover--while having no real connection to any the stories inside--is so unusual, such a grabber, that it ranks as one of his best, IMO. Its kind of like Four Heroes In Search of A Comic.

Anyway, the lead-off story is a solo Elektra tale, written and drawn by Frank Miller, which is a pretty good way to start off any comic. The story has no title, and features everyone's favorite hot-yet-scary (kind of like Madonna) assassin and she is hired to, this time, prevent an assassination.

You know, reading this story for the first time, it reminded me of just how friggin' awesome Frank Miller was in his prime. Yeah, the guy deserves a lot of the criticism thrown at him (Dark Knight Strikes Again, anyone?) but when he really started breaking out, doing his amazing work on Daredevil, he was tops. His storytelling was so inventive and fresh, and it was pages like this that made him as popular as anyone ever has been in comics:

...very few comics artists, of any age, would've had the creative balls to leave that big white space there. Tradition tells you "I've gotta put something there", but no, not Frank. He knew that space makes the sequence work.

Next is "Shadow Hunter" by Doug Moench, Neal Adams, and Larry Hama with inks by Dick Giordano, Terry Austin, Adams, and Dennis Francis. Like the Elektra piece, it takes a master like Neal Adams to get away with a splash page like this:

In other hands, this would look like a cheat, but Neal makes it look cool and menacing and odd and a few other things. The story is about a group of ninja-like commandos and one of them that seems to not be going on. Features the splash page's tiny karate guy crawling into a giant computer and kicking it right in the hard drive.

Next is "Huntsman" by Archie Goodwin, Michael Golden, and Steve Mitchell, a story of a group of post-apocalyptic law enforcers, and the two trainees that learn just how tough and grim the job is:

Looks kinda like Logan's Run, doesn't it? That's because it is Logan's Run--this seventeen-page story was originally done for Marvel's Logan's Run comic book, but that series got canceled before this could run. So it sat in inventory for a few years, until the characters and places were renamed and it got used here. Comic companies never throw anything away.

Next is "Conscience of the King", a Triton solo story, drawn by Wendy Pini no less! Why anyone thought of Triton from the Inhumans for a solo story is a riddle for the ages, but it turns out to be pretty good. Pini's work is fun, and works well with Triton's unusual appearance:

...I dunno, I would've read more of these no problem! Author Mary Jo Duffy's story (about Triton getting involved in stopping some kidnappers) isn't bad, and Triton is a neat protagonist.

Last is a regular BA feature, "Bucky Bizarre" by Steves Skeates and Smallwood. I always have a little difficulty groking these BB stories, but I think they're just meant to be goofy fun, in an irreverent Mad kind of way, so maybe they weren't meant to be thought about too hard.

Like I mentioned above, Marvel was definitely trying to find a justification to put Elektra and Triton in the same comic, but it ended up working pretty well. And the cover just puts it over the top.



During this blog's hiatus, I've been trying to come up with a format that will work for me, in terms of getting fresh content up here, but at a pace that's realistic. I found that to maintain my five days a week pace I was at, I had put up a lot more ads than I had planned, which I didn't like.

So, from this point on, All in Black & White is going to emulate my friend Pierre's excellent Frankensteinia blog format, in that I'll post stuff at no fixed pace, but often enough to be worthy of your attention, something I deeply appreciate and am keen to maintain. There's so many blogs out there that, in my mind, once you build an audience, even if its just a half-dozen people, you owe it to them to try your best. Why else have the blog in the first place?

I hope to write a more long-form pieces, present more artwork from the insides of these mags, and also from now on the covers will be big big BIG, to better show off the frequently superb work by the artists.

So thanks to everybody who read this blog, loves these mags like I do, and please stick around, we've got a lot more fun stuff coming up!

Marvel Preview #20: Bizarre Adventures

Winter 1980 - This is another one of those magazines that you can pick up for a song on eBay, and yet the total package is so good that you feel like you got away with something, getting it for so little money.

I guess since this issue is a collection of reprinted tales, that's the reason it's so cheaply had, but who cares? Having them all together makes for a fun read.

The first two tales star Howard Chaykin's Dominic Fortune character, one of about half a dozen characters Chaykin created that were, by his own admission, all variations on the hard-bitten, swashbuckling hero type that he did for various companies(The Scorpion for Atlas, Cody Starbuck for Star*Reach, etc.).

The beautiful cover painting is by Chaykin(how does a parachute work in outer space?), and each story features a gorgeous, movie poster-ish splash page, like this one:

This story, "The Power Broker 'Resolution'", is described in the intro by co-editor Roger Stern as "What if Charles Foster Kane Sold Out the United States?" and I can't come up with a better summing up than that. Fortune is unique in that frequently, he seems in over his head, and he knows it. (reprinted from Marvel Preview #2)

The second story is "The Messiah in the Saddle 'Resolution'", which is more superhero-y, featuring a machine that can replicate earthquakes. Like the first one, it moves at a breakneck pace, and is brilliantly executed. (reprinted from Marvel Super-Action #1)

Next up is a big change of pace, Tony Isabella and George Perez's "War Toy", from Unknown Worlds of Science Fiction #2, and is generally considered one of the best stories the magazine ever produced. It was one of Perez's first jobs, and even though the inking by Rico Rival is pretty overwhelming, you can see Perez's trademark layouts already, his unique way of telling a story.

Last is "Good Lord!", by Marv Wolfman, the late great Dave Cockrum and the infamous Crusty Bunkers, from Marvel Preview #1. As the splash indicates, this story was meant as a straight-forward tribute to the classic EC sci-fi stories of old:

It features space explorers getting ripped apart, brain vs brawn, and the murdering of God, no less. A lot of fun--nasty fun.

There's also a text piece called "Of Heroes and the Bizarre" by Stern, wrapping up a solid issue full of exciting, diverse stories. A winner.

Bizarre Adventures #31 - Marvel

Bizarre Adventures is a magazine woefully under-represented here; this is only the second issue I've ever talked about--rest assured, there'll be more in the future. But for now, let's enjoy this issue--"A Hard Look At Violence", featuring a cover by our pal Joe Jusko!

The first story is "The Philistine", script by Denny O'Neil and art by none other than Frank Miller. It's a weird metaphysical debate between two guys about art, one a museum curator, the other a master swordsman. While its point eluded me entirely, Miller's work is superb in both storytelling and composition.

Next is "Dr. Deth with Kip & Muffy" by Larry Hama, featuring a kind-faced, Goodman Beaver-looking, motorcycle-riding Mad Max type, as he helps rescue two babes from the clutches of a weird mutant family. Extremely violent and gory, even for a Marvel magazine.

Third is "The Hangman" by Mark Gruenwald and Bill Sienkiewicz; a really good, dark tale about violence in both real life and the movies. Ghoulish, gory fun.

Fourth is the two-page, totally silent "Violence Wears Many Faces" by John Byrne, about a different kind of violence. Its a little heavy-handed, but sadly as relevant today as it was then. Hell, it seems even prescient on Byrne's part.

Fifth is "Recondo Rabbit" by Hama, Mark Armstrong, and Joe Albelo, a funny animal tale set in--*gulp!*--the jungles of Vietnam!

"Let There Be Life", by Tom DeFalco and Herb Trimpe, a rip-snortin' action tale set during the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, an unlikely setting for a comic book story if you've ever seen one. Trimpe's very Marvelized style helps the point of the story--what does the loss of a single life mean?--sneak up on you because you're not expecting it.

Next is "A Frog Is A Frog", a long tale by Stephen Perry and Steve Bissette, someone I never knew did anything for Marvel, so it was a welcome surprise. Its about two teenage friends who have trouble discerning reality and the fantasy they read in their comic books(including this self-same issue of Bizarre Adventures!). A moody, thoughtful tale, very reminiscient of the kind of work Bissette would do in Swamp Thing.

The final story stars the recurring "Bucky Bizarre" character, a mischevious, time-hopping adventurer by our pal Steve Skeates and Steve Smallwood. An issue all about violence wouldn't be complete without an appearance by the Mob, would it?

A very diverse issue, to say the least--Frank Miller, John Byrne, Steve Bissette, Bill Sienkiewicz, Larry Hama, and Joe Jusko? Wild! Overall, there's some good stuff, some odd stuff, and some ehh stuff, but that was the charm of anthologies, wasn't it? You never knew what you were gonna get!

Bizarre Adventures #32 - Marvel

Another item sent to me by my pal Craig Wichman, this reminded me that so far I have completely ignored Marvel's Bizarre Adventures!

That was not intentional--it's just that I never bought BA when I was a kid, and its entire existence had slipped my mind all this time while working on this blog. When Craig emailed me to ask whether he should send this, I practically did a Homer-esque "D'oh!".

The theme of this issue is "Gods", and as you can see from the striking Joe Jusko cover, Thor is our first story. I've always thought Thor had potential to headline a whole separate book of more adult adventures, like how Conan did. What with all the swordplay, viking derring-do, drinking, and wenching, Thor could've headlined Savage Hammer of Thor or something. Since Marvel was excellent at making a buck where they could, I assume The Mighty Thor as a color comic never sold that well. If it had, I'm sure we would've seen more of his solo adventures.

Anyway, the story is called "Sea of Destiny", by Alan Zelenetz with an exquisite art job by John Bolton, before he became U.N. Ambassador under Bush(who knew?). Thor hears the cry of a viking lost at sea, but he is told by his father Odin and the three Norns that Fate has determined he will die, and Thor should not try to get in the way of that. Thor isn't about to follow that, so he goes to try, and takes on the elements:
...wow. Bolton was kicking ass with this story.

He also take on a giant sea serpent and after a pitched battle teaches it whose boss. Sadly, during the battle, the lost viking Runolf drowned, and Thor leaves defeated.

As if Thor didn't feel bad enough, Odin chastises him for not heeding the words of the Norns and tells him "Each year at this time you shalt withdraw unto those very norns whose powers thou didst doubt."

A heck of a melancholy ending, but Thor is incredibly cool and imposing in this story, and like I said, I could've read a whole b/w Thor magazine of stuff like this.

Next is "Demon's Brigade" by Larry Hama, about a young "blade" who runs into what could be a god, though it at first he doesn't seem all that impressive. It's a funny tale, in a style familiar to anyone who has read any Lone Wolf & Cub. It's funny to think of all the attention Frank Miller got for bringing this look and feel into American comics with Ronin, yet here it is over a year before that.

Third is a "funny animals" strip titled "What Fools These Gods Shall Be!" by future Marvel EIC Tom DeFalco and Steve Smallwood. Three guys somehow find themselves with the ability to influence a TV production of the story of Icarus. The people inside the TV think the beings watching them are gods, and some of them react better than others. It has kind of a creepy ending, which is hard to do when you characters are a talking donkey, a talking buzzard, and a talking pig.

Next is a two-page feature that could've come right from Mad or Cracked(or even Crazy!), called "Gods for the Eighties", like Bromo, Walkman, Paranoia, and Jiggle. Thank god(no pun intended) things are so different now!

Ann Nocenti and Greg LaRoque contribute "The Streak", about a regular schlub blessed by Mercury with unending good luck. He of course uses that to gamble, but as you can expect it's a case of be careful what you ask for. It's an ok story, but it coulda run in The House of Mystery or something, nothing you'd expect from the more adult-oriented Bizarre Adventures.

Next is "The Prophet" by Mark Gruenwald and Val Mayerik, about one wise, lonely man who believed salvation was coming. Turns out he was right!

A big change of tone is next with "G-d!" by Al Milgrom, about the Almighty coming down to Earth(Manhattan specifically) and his attempts to understand what the heck is going on with us mortals. He ends up playing video games and getting his pocket picked. It's that kind of story--silly, goofy, light as air.

Last is "Bucky Bizarre" by our pal Steve Skeates and Smallwood, about a time-traveling, smart-mouthed so-and-so. Like the previous story, cute and you forget it the minute you turn the page. But that's ok--what with the heavy Thor and "Prophet" stories, this goofy stuff is a nice counter-balance.

My first reaction after reading my first BA is how all over the place it is--some real serious stuff, some goofy stuff, even talking animals! It felt a little schizophrenic.

But then I thought about some of my reviews on this very blog on Warren magazines, where I complain that a lot of the stories and art feel the same, repetitive. So I guess I can't be pleased--when it's coherent, I say it's too similar. When it's varied, I say it's all over the place. Geez, comic fans are friggin' difficult to please!

Anyway, I did enjoy this issue, and I thank Craig(again!) for re-introducing me to Bizarre Adventures. The ad for the next issue promises "An all-new collection of stories from The Tomb of Dracula, Tales of the Zombie, Haunt of Horror, and Vault of Evil." Hellllo, ebay!