spert@dragon.DEC (05/04/84)
They're young. They're tough. They're mean. They're green. They're Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! Yes, once we heard about this, we just had to have it. An interesting "tribute" to the Frank Miller style of comic. The cover is based on Ronin; red and black, lots of cross-hatching, forms standing on rooftops; only these forms look very strange. The interior art is quite good, especially when you consider these people are new to comics. The story is very entertaining. After an introductory fight, you learn their origin (too good to reveal here).The rest of the comic is a prolonged fight scene (the resemblance to Ronin continues...:-). The artist does an incredible job depicting martial arts; turtles or not, the fight scenes flow well. Despite the humor, it is not a "funny" comic. It is a one-shot. Looking forward to their next effort. Recommended. For those of you who normally avoid Marvel Fanfare's foisting off of inventory material at premium prices, the latest issue, by Barry Windsor-Smith, is well done. Takes the byplay that's gone on between the Human Torch and the Thing and puts some depth into it. Hopefully Marvel will keep putting new material in Fanfare; stories like this are worth it. What do people think about Joe Staton's E-Man, as opposed to Martin Pasko's? We enjoy Staton's a lot more. Pasko seemed to be trying to top each satirical effort and it was getting a bit frantic. Staton is telling stories and including humor and zaniness and character development. The semi-return of Nova's powers is surprising. The editorial column in the first issues was so adamant about how her powers had to go that we're amazed at how fast they're returning. So far they only turn up to get Staton out of whatever hole he's written himself into (Deus ex Nova?) but we suspect bigger things are on the way. Having stuck it out with Secret Wars up to now, we also think that something is making everyone act out of character (paranoid, touchy, etc.). So don't worry folks, it's not poor writing; it only looks that way!! (Not very satisfying, somehow.) Mars number one was full of promise; a promise that seems to recede with each new issue. We're still with it, but it's getting chancy... Black Flame on the other hand is nice; of course, it's moving to Starslayer. Just to put in our two cents worth on sex and the Comic Code. Just before we stopped reading the Hulk (a few issues ago), there was a scene of Bruce Banner asleep in bed with a SHIELD agent (No, not Nick Fury, a female agent!). Of course this brings up memories of Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex but there are some things best not dwelt upon. MORIARTY - Why is Comic Reader the only zine that doesn't bring out your homicidal tendencies? Amazing Heroes is informative, fun, and not at all obnoxious. Of course, if you are avoiding giving money to Groth, we well understand; we've sometimes had the same feeling (till we dropped Comic Journal and could appreciate Amazing Heroes for itself). Your mention of sending money for a proposed comic reminded me (John) of the last David McDaniel Man from UNCLE book. I'd *still* like to see that book even if I had to send more money. OZ - Yes, we do know the Warlock in Spite of Himself. Lots of fun; great characters. Didn't really care for the next two; the effects of time travel dominated too much of the story. Escape Velocity is a nice comeback; it has the same sense of fun combined with a good storyline like the first one had. We found Myth Adventures as good, in its own way, as the novels. The art definitely pulls its own weight. The panels devoted to Skeeve's reaction to Aahz's skull-eating were priceless. And it's great that Asprin has the chance to review and redo the material. The stirring speech in the last panel was much better than the ending to the corresponding chapter in the book. John & Donna Spert UUCP: ...decvax!decwrl!rhea!dragon!spert ARPA: spert%dragon.DEC@Purdue-Merlin.ARPA