TOR vs. TOR

TOR #1
July 2008
Written and Illustrated by: Joe Kubert
A Six-Issue Miniseries

Tor is a prehistoric man, he's the curious type and full of wonder as created by writer and artist Joe Kubert, and has long been in the comic book realm.

This run of TOR came out in 2008 and having had some old TOR from the 70's I had to pick it up. I've dug out this first issue and one from the the 1975 run, issue #3, to see how things have or haven't changed.

In this first issue; "Tor: A Prehistoric Odyssey" our hero, a strong silent type of the past, has been outcast from his tribe and is left to wandering and surviving on his own.


Tor goes off on his quest, aiming to explore what is off in the horizon, a place that his elders avoided. Kubert narrates each step of Tor's journey sharing his survival instinct through the uncertainty that lies ahead in this bright and fresh colored world. Filled with curiosity Tor is and ready to meet his fate finding moments of paradise...



and moments of danger...


Tor is ultimately a hero type, though he takes care of himself first, he is not the kind to let others suffer if he can be of some help and that was part of his drive in the earlier series as well.

This issue of TOR was a bi-monthly series from DC.
Vol. 1 No. 3 Oct 1975
By Joe Kubert

Kubert created Tor back in the 50's and I learned he was one of the first characters in a 3D comic book. As the Tor series continued off and on this issue from the 70's was very Tarzan-esque. The prehistoric times were very jungle heavy and Tor even has his primate pal, Chee Chee.

It is understandable that Kubert leaned a bit towards Tarzan themes as he was in charge of Edgar Rice Burroughs properties at DC and also drew for those books in the 70's after-all.



Tor is an entertaining read and a fun adventure from a 1,000,000 years ago. I must say that I found the art of the earlier Tor more exciting. There's a darker color tone with a lot of action going on and they really filled out the panels or I'm probably just nostalgic for that old comic book look.



Now I'm leaning towards digging out some of my Tarzan books, will that be next weeks? Hmmm...

COMIC BOOKS KICK ASS!

Weird Suspense: The Tarantula

WEIRD SUSPENSE Featuring THE TARANTULA
Three Issue series from 1975 - Atlas Comics
25 Cents

Issue #1 - Curse of the Tarantula
Character Created and Scripted by: Michael Fleisher
Artist: Pat Boyette

Issue #2 - The Revenge of the Spider Witch!
Script: Michael Fleisher
Artist: Pat Boyette

Issue #3 - Mind Over Matter = Murder
Scripter: Gary Friedrich
Artist: Pat Boyette

“...a weird blood gorging creature of the supernatural...”

Hi there! Are you looking for weird suspense? Do you want to be frightened? Well look no further comic book readers; the Tarantula is here to deliver the goods! Strange things are afoot and we’re being warned from the start of issue one to look away – “…those who become easily frightened are cautioned NOT to read this magazine!”

In this world of weird the Tarantula is Eugene Lycosa, a cursed descendant of Count Lycosa who burned the High Priestess of the Tarantula Cult ages ago at a small European Village.



The curse of the Tarantula means all males of the Lycosa lineage are doomed to transforms into a spider creature that has a terrible blood lust, which must be appeased. In this modern day of 1975 Count Eugene Lycosa lives in his countryside mansion as the 11th Count suffering the affliction.

The Count has kept himself isolated for fear of devouring innocent men and women. Of course one fateful night three escaped convicts find his home and get caught in the Tarantula’s mighty web. It is then that the Count decides he must use his curse for some “practical” means while also quenching his blood thirsty desires, he will prey on evil men. (That’s very Dexter-esque, wouldn’t you say?)

The first issue gives the full origin of the Lycosa clan and the troubles continues on through issue two!



While the Count is in the city feeding on some cop killers the one hoodlum who got away has become entranced and resurrects The Spider Witch! Yes, the Priestess is back and out for vengeance, though momentarily weakened by Astral Disintegration.



After killing the Count’s servant Joseph she works on rounding up a few new tarantula henchmen.



Check out the Priestess out on the prowl…and the men are totally into her too!



Once the Priestess gets the Count in her web it’s time for a showdown! The Count and Priestess have a tussle at the edge of a cave while in spider mode and our hero the Tarantula wins! Even with the witch killed again the curse still continues and the Count is determined to use the Tarantula to prey on “evil wherever it may flourish!”



In issue three there’s a change in tone with a new writer onboard. The origin is again quickly recounted, a new villain is introduced and we get to see the Count at his day job as an Investment Counselor where he has a secretary, Natalie, and they both have secret crushes on each other.



The bad guy is Abdul Rashad, a “brilliant but desperate young Arab student” who has powers over inanimate objects, which he brings to life to do his bidding. Abdul’s big plan is to steal his father’s money and use his powers to rule the world. (Sounds simple enough, right?)




I must say I was sad that the battle depicted on the cover, with the Tarantula fighting a stone gargoyle, never happens! (The covers of this series depict some of the best action bits in my opinion.) Though before it was all done the Tarantula does fight a four-armed snake statue, and plays some mind games with the young man before sucking him dry.





As mentioned there was a change in tone and it was mostly with Eugene Lycosa, here he’s even more tortured and distraught. He has his new servant tie him up at night so he doesn’t go on a killing spree munching on innocent blood. When the Count finally transforms to the Tarantula the creature has motives of his own, more of a Jekyll and Hyde thing that wasn’t around in issue one.

Overall this series dished out some dark attitude and drama, lots of action, and then gushed out a lot of bloody gore talk. The Tarantula really had some potential to spin a lot of web but his run was short lived.



There were a ton of fun ads throughout each comic book with offers for a High School Diploma, and Bodybuilder bodies. I especially liked the film collectibles, model kits and van customizing. Lastly one more highlight was the advertisement for the book Very Special People featuring the likes of “The Caterpillar Man”. It was only $6.95 and postage for 60 cents!



Now evil men beware the Tarantula! While the Count was pretty happy at the end of the book, the curse was not gone and that spider blood lust must be fed! So, watch out for giant webs in dark alleys. Yup!



Comic Books Kick Ass!

SUPERNATURAL: Beginning's End

Since the TV series SUPERNATURAL first started I've been hooked. Following the adventures of Sam and Dean Winchester as they hunt ghosts, fight demons and save people from evil I've laughed, cried and been seriously creeped out. SUPERNATURAL is now in it's fifth season and I'm still on the edge of my seat to see what happens next as the Apocalypse is now in motion.



The SUPERNATURAL series has spun off in comic books, the first mini series was SUPERNATURAL: ORIGINS, a 6 issue story arc focusing on Daddy John Winchester and how he got started in his quest to find the demon that killed his wife while raising his boys.



It was a good set and solid story. I honestly can't get enough of this show and always want more bits and pieces. I was happy when I heard another series of comic books were coming out.

SUPERNATURAL - Beginning's End - 6 issue mini series
Issue #1 - March 2010
Writers: Andres Dabb & Daniel Loflin
Art - Diego Almos (Cover Art too)

In Beginning's End we are told of the events that lead to where Season one began, a time when Sam and Dean are all grown up and at their dad's side though Sam is rebelling wishing for a normal life and college.

The book is very much in tone of the series, it's really nice to get more of Sam and Dean with their dad though the relationship is volatile. They have a real dysfunctional family unit, and it's the family ties that are the core of the show.

In Beginning John, Dean and Sam are close to getting new information on the demon killer while meeting up with a team of Hunters in New York City. These hunters don't to have the same outlook as the Winchesters and use extreme force taking out creatures, even harmless ones just because they're monsters. Supernatural does offer a good sense of humanity and moral dilemmas which adds to it's fine storytelling.



I really do like this art style, though it's not the exact likeness of Sam and Dean a.k.a Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles respectively. The art has captured the overall grimy, shadowed atmosphere of the show and it's all pretty slick.



Now this is just the first issue, the intros have been made and the family dynamic is set up and the action has already started up nice with some monster fights. I'm quite anxious to see how the rest of the story plays out. Thanks to being a regular weekly/monthly comic buyer I have some patience but it's not always easy.

This Thursday, Feb. 4th is SUPERNATURAL TV night and I'm excited for the show. Let the Sam and Dean adventure continue! Yup!

COMIC BOOKS KICK ASS!

KRYPTON CHRONICLES

DC COMICS: Superman Presents the Krypton Chronicles - 3 issues mini-series
60 Cents
Writer: E. Nelson Bridwell
Penciller: Curt Swan
Vol. 1 No. 1 - September 1981 - Cover Art: Buckler & Giordano
Vol. 1 No. 2 - October 1981 - Cover Art: Andru & Giordano
Vol. 1 No. 3 - November. 1981 - Cover Art: Andru & Giordano

I am a DC fangirl and I’d say most of my comic book collection is made up of DC books. The “S” section alone is filled with oh so many SUPER titles and to me that is a good thing. Of course with so many books I’m always adding more then I have time to read because I have this collector, complete-ist mentality where I want it all.

Going through my books I came across a three issues mini-series KRYPTON CHORNICLES from the 80’s, which I had not read! It’s was totally awesome, well at least a lot of fun, and so different from what’s going on now. How times have changed, and I know Krypton history has been updated since this little book.

It all begins when the owner of the Daily Planet Morgan Edge (still a good guy at this point of the DC timeline) calls in Clark Kent and Perry White to his office. Mr. Edge explains he wants Clark to go to his best friend SUPERMAN and get the 411 on the Superman Family Tree so they can put together a “ROOTS” like mini-series and bring in the ratings!



Of course Clark/Superman is all for the idea since he too had been wondering more about his past. From there we go to the Fortress of Solitude to being an “epic voyage of discovery” for the Krypton Chronicles!

At the Fortress of Solitude Supergirl is waiting for Clark as it happens to be the day the COSMIC AXIS shifts and KANDOR* is in Earth’s dimensional Plane!

*Krypton Glossary Time! The mini-series features a KRYPTON GLOSSARY at the end of each issue where the Kryptonian names and words are translated and explained as needed. i.e.: KANDOR: “The Former Capital of Krypton until it was stolen, shrunken, and placed in the bottle by the space-villain Brainiac. After defeating Brainiac, Superman kept the bottle-city in his fortress until he found a way to enlarge it on another world. “



Supergirl and Superman travel to Kandor and visit the House of El, which houses the statues of their ancestors. Using Kryptonian technology ala Mind-Tapes, Superman begins the history lesson. Along with him we learn of the Krypton race, how they came to be so technologically advanced, building the first cities, and about their God Rao.



Later Superman moves on to using the HEADBANDS worn by his forefathers to learn about the days Krypton was enslaved by the Alien VRANGS! Next it was of the findings of Sur-El the glassmaker who created the telescope! If only the Kryptonians had headed Sur-El’s warning of incoming invaders they may have been able to fight off the VRANGS from the start. Now, it just goes to show that Kryptonians have always doubted the facts and they tend to back the wrong scientists until it’s too late, I mean look what happened to their planet, right?



During the first two issues, there’s also a side story of a shadowed figure that is trying to sabotage Superman and Supergirl from leaving the planet. This mystery woman was Zora a.k.a. Black Flame. She was using her vibrator ray, (yes, vibrator ray) to trap the SUPER duo in the museum so she could escape to Earth and take Supergirl’s powers. Of course Supergirl caught on and captured Zora instead, just in the nick of time so that they can leave Kandor to continue their history research elsewhere with another new gadget!



In issue #3 Supergirl and Superman complete their KRYPTON CHRONICLES using a “LIGHT SEEKER” which was designed to “Reach out for great distances… and pick up light…to give a complete picture,” but without sound they have to practice their lip-reading for whatever it is they see. This actually was the most reliable plan because Superman rejected the time travel possibilities since Krypton’s Red Sun would take away their powers.

We learn of more Kryptonian science discoveries, witness the great Flood (very similar to Earth’s Noah story) and meet Kal-El’s own ancestors who began the house of El.



The series was quite informative and fun while I can’t help but find some things silly/cheesy yet it was the beginning of the 80’s after-all and Superman was quite wholesome.

The Ad’s in the book were awesome, especially the HOSTESS comic page. Issue #1 featured WONDER WOMAN Versus THE ROBOT MASTER and she foiled his plans with Twinkies! Issue #2 BATMAN stopped some bad movie pirates with HOSTESS Cup Cakes and Issue #3 the RED TORNADO used the Cup Cakes in a “Clean Sweep”. It all just proves that no villain or super hero can resist the allure of sugar filled cakes and now I crave Twinkies.



Reading through this book I also realize that my own use or sometime overuse of exclamations points must have been influenced by comic books. On the covers there are always exclamation points and most conversations are ended with them. So that’s another thing I have to thank my comics for! Yup!!!!

I really do want to dig into more back issues, get the history straight, but it has changed so much since things like Earth 2 and all the crisis’s that have gone on! But comics are able to do their reboots more often aren’t they? Most folks keep on reading for the stories, right? Well, I’m having fun doing so and will be back with some more!!

COMIC BOOKS KICK ASS!

THE DESTROYER

Comic Book: THE DESTROYER: The Adventures of Remo and Chiun
Vol. 2 Issue #1 - March 1991 - Marvel Comics
Cover Art: Joe Jusko

Now I was first introduced to Remo Williams by the movie, REMO WILLIAMS: THE ADVENTURE BEGINS starring Fred Ward and Joel Gray. A cop is framed for murder and executed, but he didn't actually die. That man, Remo awakes to discover he had been recruited by Harold Smith to a super secret agency called CURE. Chiun, the Master of Sinanju, trains him to be the world's greatest assassin to protect the Constitution and keep America safe.

The film is based on THE DESTROYER book series which began in 1971 as written by Warren Murphy and Richard Sapir and the series still continues today with THE NEW DESTROYER. I'm quite fond of these books and love how the second chapter always begins with the line "His Name is Remo..." (It's the best!)

I've slowly and surely been making my way through the series, I've got #36 POWER PLAY in my purse. It's mostly political satire and action, the early books actually hold up well and hit some familiar relevant topics. The series focus is the relationship between Remo and Chiun, it's Student/Master and Father/Son with a lot of bickering going on. Chiun has a superiority complex and Remo is just the average know it all American guy who happens to be well suited for the powers of Sinanju.

Now there's been a few comic books series for The Destroyer all from Marvel and the Magazine Destroyer comics are one of my favorites, especially with art and story. Right now now though I must focus on the issue at hand, #1 which is a one shot following the Magazine set of nine issues.



Drive-By Heaven
Story: Will Murray
Art: Lee Weeks
A street gang in Detroit got their hands on a Flexible Fifty machine gun and they venture into the rival gang hood and go on a drive-by rampage. Remo and Chiun are in the neighborhood to put an end to the shootings and take the streets back! Of course Remo must explain to Chiun about the cultural differences of Ghetto neighborhood while Chiun insists he already know it all as previous Sinanju Masters had history with African tribes. The issues of race is a constant Destroyer topic, as Chiun compares everything to his Korean ways. (Don't expect political correctness with Chiun though he really is a good guy just a bit selfish being the Master.)



Chiun and Remo have their usual pick on each other banter and the wrongs are righted with bloody violence by way of Sinanju martial arts.



This book also features a second story:
TERMINAL VELOCITY as written by Will Murray with Art by Steve Ditko!


Using Terminal Velocity and lofting quarters from a blimp up in the sky there's a killer on the loose targeting some mobster types. Smith sends Remo and Chiun to investigate! This little tale ventures into the more fantastical side with a killer using a strange weapon of destruction. The bad guy even has a DIME gun! And then the puns flow forth. "I'd say he's Cashed Out, Wouldn't You?" It's a good thing that Remo and Chiun have fast reflexes and smooth dodging skills!



This was a humorous read but as a DESTROYER fan the stories aren't exactly up to par with the big conspiracy type plots that Remo usually unravels. We get just a taste of Remo's true Sinanju skill. He's a guy who can really climb walls, dodge bullets and move faster than anyone, well except of course Chiun. At one point Remo does worry a bit unnecessarily about Chiun not dodging the killer change. Dude, it's Chiun!

The art was fine, Ditko's was fun and bright, very classic comic book. Though the cover with Remo is not how I picture Remo at all, he's got to be more rugged! Yup. Lee Weeks art suited Remo more but didn't offer much for Chiun. Oh Well.

I'm inspired to dig out my magazine issues of The Destroyer and revisit them, but my Magazine sized comic books haven't been sorted in a while. Actually, the magazine books are mostly old Conan isues and those are my dad's. I think I'll ask him if he's read any in a while.

Once again here's hoping I can get focused and read more, sadly I'm not even halfway through DESTROYER #36! Ahhh, can't be distracted, "must read, must read" that is my new mantra! YUP!

Now that Wednesday Comic Book Day has arrived I'm hoping to pick up my books tomorrow! I'll work on sharing my thoughts on my current pull list but my back issues need love too! I'm gonna try and pick what's next! Remember: COMIC BOOKS KICK ASS!!

2010 - The Marvel Comics Official Film Adaptation

"The Year We Make contact"

Comic Book: 2010 - The Official Comics Adaptation of the spectacular new film! A two issues limited series from May-June of 1985 written by J.M. DeMatteis and Layout/Breakdowns by Joe Barney & Larry Hama. The issues were 75 cents each.

Now, I must first admit I've never watched all of 2010. I recall bits and pieces that I watched with my dad on T.V., but never have I seen the film from beginning to end. What I remember most are visuals from the ending, a pet dolphin and the scene that was re-created and acted out during the Universal Studios tour where two astronauts are stuck in space moving between ships while freaking out. But now I can say I've read the comic book adaptation!

The artwork is solid, the characters look like the actors from the film. There's good detail and style, with lots of panels crammed in there.


For a 116 min movie condensed between a two issue arc it seems a bit rushed with just the main story highlights, not much of the drama. There's a single page recap of the events from 2001 about space, monoliths, HAL-900 and Commander Dave Boaman's last message "...the monolith...it's full of stars..."

Now it's 2009, Dr. Heywood Floyd is charged to find the answers though there's an impending war on earth between Russia and America; will they manage to make peace or end the world? What are those strange monoliths in space? What happened to HAL 9000? Can the Dr. help save the planet for the future of his son? So off into space they go and the year is finally 2010 when they get there!


The pet dolphin is in the book, the scene with freaked out astronauts is not. And I still don't understand how world peace was achieved with (SPOILER WARNING) (SPOILER WARNING) now having two suns in the universe. Did I miss something? I will say that I was glad Dave and Hal-9000 made up!

I'm pretty sure I got these two issues during my early comic buying days, I knew my movies even back then and just snagged 'em up because I love movies.

One of my favorite things about comic books are the ads found within. They are time capsules, showing off what was popular at the time, other comic books (Secret Wars II, Cloak & Dagger), T.V. shows, and Candies or Food (Fig Newtons, Bonkers! Fruit Candy).


Where else could you buy shark teeth, Learn to Breakdance or get Texas rattlesnake eggs?


Also there's important and serious Public Service Announcements. In issue #1 the POWER PACK and The Amazing Spider-Man shared "TIPS ON WAYS TO PREVENT SEXUAL ABUSE." Sincerely, big issues were addressed! Was that comment too much of a downer?

I'm still deciding if I give ratings to the comic books I read, I'm pretty generous with my opinions. Honestly, I just love giving myself the chance to read what I can (time just flies by on me) and then share the thoughts. I will say 2010 gets the *thumbs up*.

With that, the reading will continue, I will make a dent in my ever growing "to-read" pile, oh yes, I will! Though I was a bit delayed with this post, (disappointing myself) I'm already better organized and planning the next blog. Yup!

COMIC BOOKS KICK ASS!

Cat Reads Comics Begins!

This is the year I give my comic book collection some long overdue attention. Being the movie going fanatic that I am my comics have gathered some dust and my "read-it" pile grows even higher.

Now, I've been collecting comic books since I was a young girl and it all began with Book Castle in Burbank who sold comics for a quarter each, four for a dollar! That fateful day that I began flipping through their rows of long boxes I found some Superman books and an Action Comics issue with BOOSTER GOLD beating up SUPERMAN. I wondered who could be doing such a thing to the Man of Steel and before long I was on a mission to collect all 25 issues of the Man of Gold!



I kept going to Book Castle, buying more and more books, mostly old DC and Marvel books; Team-Ups, Two-In-Ones, Batman, Superman, Fantastic Four, Angel Love and I'd read this and that. It wasn't really until THE DEATH OF SUPERMAN that I got myself a bit up to date and really started buying new books each week, mostly at GOLDEN APPLE on melrose. When I went off to college I continued buying books weekly thanks to LEE'S COMICS in San Mateo and that's where I got into more indie titles.

There came the day that I really had to organize my collection and things got bagged and boarded and boxed in long boxes. I went to comic book conventions and dived into the back issue bins filling in gaps and appeasing my "collector mentality" as I strived for complete runs on old series. I still love going to conventions, like San Diego Comic Con where I splurge on lots and lots of comic books!

I just recently filed away a mountain of comic books, including my haul from this past Summer's COMIC CON adding 3 long boxes to my collection. That brings my grand total to 67 boxes, each one filled up!



Now, here at this new blog spot, "CAT READS COMICS," I hope to get myself focused on reading my comic books! I do love reading my comics, I just get distracted quite easily.

I've filled up a short box with a few different comic books and the reading has begun! Each Wednesday I plan to post about a series I've just read. I'm going to be going through some old books and be catching up on current story-lines. You can expect a few ramblings on my favorite BOOSTER GOLD, I warn you now. I'll also do write ups about buying comics at cons, and sharing cool covers I come across.

Over on the sidebar I'll update my weekly pull list and you can see what I regularly collect. Perhaps when I buy I'll say which shop I went to as I like a few different stores here in Los Angeles.

Tomorrow (January 13th) I'll put up a comic book post and I hope who ever reads this enjoys my take on comic books!

Up, Up and away!!

Comic Books Kick Ass!!