Comic Book Review – Author Carlo Carrasco

A Look Back at Aliens vs. Predator #3 (1990)

June 8, 2023June 4, 2023carlocarrasco

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 1990 to take a close look at one of the more significant non-superhero crossover comic book events ever published – Aliens vs. Predator!

In my previous review, the humans of Prosperity Wells begin to get impacted by the presence of the Predators and the Aliens. A family got killed by Predator hunters at their home in the wilderness and only a young boy was able to get away and catch people’s attention in the outpost. Machiko Noguchi and her team initiate defensive measures in response to what has been happening. Two people even brought back a living Predator with them from the ruins of a Predator ship they inspected in the wilderness.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Aliens vs. Predator #3, published in 1990 by Dark Horse Comics with a story written by Randy Stradley and drawn by Phill Norwood.

Early story

The story begins with Noguchi who finds herself in a dangerous position. In front of her is a horde of Xenomorphs and behind her is one Predator warrior who even assisted her a few moments prior. Armed with futuristic weapons, the armored warrior suddenly jumps above her and right into the Xenomorphs. The Predator efficiently slashed off the parts of a few Aliens using a bladed weapon and blew up one of them using another weapon.

The warrior eventually gets overwhelmed by more Aliens that came into the action. As the Xenomorphs focused strongly on the downed Predator, Noguchi takes advantage of the situation to run away and somehow get back to protecting the people as the outpost has been clearly invaded by two deadly non-human species.

Meanwhile inside the huge cargo ship that did not launch, two crew members freed themselves from the Xenomorphs’ restraints and try to sneak by the Alien Queen which they perceived to be sleeping…

Quality

*This is a fine example by the creative team on telling a sequence of intense moments without a single word of dialogue.*

From a storytelling point-of-view, this one is a huge pay-off to the build-up established in the first two issues and I can say I enjoyed this one. At this stage of the 4-issue mini-series, the human colony has turned into a battle zone between the Predators and the Xenomorphs and this obviously results in a lot of action scenes and other wild turns of events. It is also in this story where you will get to see Machiko Noguchi at her bravest yet, as well as her uncompromising way of protecting her people and solving the crisis at hand. As she and her fellow humans are in the middle of a crisis, nothing straightforward could happen nor could they make solid plans with any real chance of succeeding. The decisions Noguchi made here came with risks and through her struggles, you will be able to relate with her and you will also witness how the series of unfortunate events turn out with unpredictable ways which added some suspense and surprise to the narrative.

The spectacle here, unsurprisingly, are the battles between the Aliens and Predators. Such conflicts happened mostly in the background which is effective enough to establish the chaos that the humans have to endure. One of the Predators – which does not have a name – became a notable additional supporting player to the cast and his presence and actions added some intensity to storytelling even as the narrative consistently focused on Noguchi.

The way the story is told, this one maintains the natural progression of details from issue #1 and even though the action has been ramped up, there were still plenty of opportunities for readers to understand the details and grasp the plot. There is also rising tension as the narrative moves forward.

Conclusion

*There is nothing like trying to sneak past an Alien Queen in an area surrounded by multiple eggs laid by her.*

Being a big pay-off to the huge build-up of issues #1 and #2, Aliens vs. Predator #3 (1990) is highly entertaining and compelling to read! The action scenes and chain of incidents were ramped up a lot and yet this comic book never turned into a brainless fest of violence. The creative team managed to add some breathing space to not only let readers absorb the story details but also to immerse themselves with the situations. By the time I reached the end, I experienced this great satisfaction as well as further motivation to discover how the story will conclude in the next issue.

Overall, Aliens vs. Predator #3 (1990) is highly recommended!

+++++

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A Look Back at Aliens vs. Predator #2 (1990)

June 2, 2023June 4, 2023carlocarrasco

In my previous review, most of the humans living and working in Prosperity Wells are unaware about the creeping danger coming at them. Alien eggs were laid in the wilderness while a ship carrying multiple Predator hunters has landed. At the human outpost, the leader Machiko Noguchi remains disrespected as the staffers and ranchers still trust her predecessor Hiroki Shimura.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Aliens vs. Predator #2, published in 1990 by Dark Horse Comics with a story written by Randy Stradley and drawn by Phill Norwood.

Early story

The story begins with the huge spaceship still at the launch platform of Prosperity Wells. The ship should have launched already with a huge cargo of indigenous animals – the Rynth – for export. It turns out that the two human pilots were captured by the Xenomorphs and in the presence of the Alien queen inside the ship, they witness one rynth (part of the herd from the ranching) die as a Chestburster alien comes out of its body.

Meanwhile, Machiko wakes up as her respected predecessor Shimura arrives and tells her that Dr. Revna still has not returned. During her talk with the wife (also a doctor), Machiko learns that the missing doctor was on his way to Iwa Gorge to find more aliens (note: the Facehugger alien) and that a lady worker (who made the first discovery of a Facehugger) informed him of the place.

As Machiko and Shimura analyze what they know, two outpost personnel discover the remains of a destroyed Predator space ship and, more notably, one unconscious Predator hunter…

Quality

*The Predators looks really odd with the colors implemented on them by the creative team of this comic book.*

If you were deeply engaged in issue #1, then you will have a lot to be engaged with in this issue. The script by Stradley is very solid and with a medium pace, details were consistently laid out for readers’ understanding while the build-up for the inevitable chaos – between Xenomorphs and Predators with humans in the middle literally – is strongly felt.

Machiko Noguchi’s management and ability to analyze situations really get tested in this story and along the way, you will see how much the outpost changes reflecting the moves made by her administration which is ultimately a response to a brewing crisis. At this stage of the comic book mini-series, the danger of the two galactic species begin to make impact on innocent humans in violent ways. The scene showing the home of people (located some distance away from the main complex of the outpost) getting invaded by the Predators has uncompromising violence which makes the incidental action look really disturbing.

More on the human characters, this comic book has very rich dialogue backed with special attention to details implemented by Stradley. This is very evident in the scene in which Machiko, Roth, Ackland and Shimura talk intensely about what happened and what factors caused those things to happen. Through the verbal exchange, you will witness Machiko’s bravery and leadership come to life as she confronts a rebellious rancher (who insulted her in a very personal way) over the truth about what happened. Not only that, you will also feel the stress she experiences as she manages the outpost at a time of crisis.

For the fans of Predators and Aliens reading this, you will see a lot more of them in this issue and I can assure you that Norwood is really great in visualizing them and showing them with violent action that will remind you of the movies. As with the previous issue, the colors implemented on the Predators remains very odd to look at.

Conclusion

*Live humans helplessly watching an animal die as a Chestburster alien comes out of it in the presence of the Alien queen.*

Aliens vs. Predator #2 (1990) is a great follow-up to issue #1. As expected, the stakes were raised higher and the tension really intensified as the narrative went on. The creative team really should be admired for not only crafting this high-quality chapter of the mini-series, but also for their believable and engaging build-up of the plot, the characters and conflict altogether. This comic book is a lively reminder of how great a non-superhero comic book crossover could be.

Overall, Aliens vs. Predator #2 (1990) is highly recommended!

+++++

A Look Back at Amazing Spider-Man #382 (1993)

May 31, 2023May 28, 2023carlocarrasco

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1993 and explore a part of the Marvel Comics universe through one of the many tales of the Amazing Spider-Man comic book series.

In my previous retro review, Spider-Man gets involved not only with the Incredible Hulk but also with Doc Samson who has a history of treating the green giant and carries a strong sense of responsibility towards him. Something, however, infected Samson and eventually the Hulk which leads to a new wave of destruction in New York City which itself is still recovering from the chaos of Maximum Carnage.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Amazing Spider-Man #382, published in 1993 by Marvel Comics with a story written by David Michelinie and drawn by Mark Bagley.

Early story

The story begins with the Hulk (note: infected with the gamma virus which is driving him to violence) striking the pavement hard causing Spider-Man and Doc Samson to move away. After a quick exchange of words with Samson regarding the virus, Spider-Man jumps towards the Hulk and hits his face in an attempt to stop him before he causes any more damage to the city.

Doc Samson desperately tries to contain the Hulk by choking him only to be grabbed and get thrown to a solid structure nearby. Now down on the pavement, Samson notices the Hulk jumping in towards him…

Quality

*Mary Jane Parker in trouble with her acting career.*

This story is indeed a solid and satisfying conclusion to what was started in issue #381. Not only does this comic book showcase a battle between Spider-Man and the manipulated Hulk, it also highlights Doc Samson’s importance not only as a supporting player but also as a scientist struggling with his responsibility over helping the Hulk. There is a strong sense of burden you will sense in Samson who himself caused a lot of damage when he was infected with the virus before the Hulk got infected by it.

The presentation of the virus/bacterium as the factor behind the chaos is a believable concept that highlights what would happen if people carrying gamma radiation in their bodies get infected by it.

If you are looking for fun, there is a lot of action here with lots of dynamic looking images crafted by Mark Bagley. Yes, you will see action and incidental moments between Spider-Man and the Hulk here and there, with Samson also getting a notable share of the spotlight. How the conflict concluded was cleverly done and ultimately surprising. This is something you readers will have to discover for yourselves.

Conclusion

*As Doc Samson goes away, Spider-Man takes on the Hulk.*

Amazing Spider-Man #382 (1993) is a well-paced and satisfying conclusion to the events that started in the previous issue. At the time of its release, the comic book highlighted a modern crossover between the Hulk and Spider-Man with Doc Samson inserted as a functional third participant. The concept of the gamma virus/bacterium works well here and added a more science fictional layer to the plot. This comic book is pretty entertaining and the suspense really built-up nicely towards the climax.

Overall, Amazing Spider-Man #382 (1993) is recommended!

+++++

A Look Back at Aliens vs. Predator #1 (1990)

May 30, 2023June 4, 2023carlocarrasco

For the newcomers reading this, the respective movie franchises of Aliens and Predator started many years before the comic book crossover event happened. By the year 1990, moviegoers had enjoyed Alien (1979), Aliens (1986), Predator (1987) and Predator 2 (late 1990). Cinematic between Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Predator in the jungle and that of Sigourney Weaver and the Queen Alien became unforgettable sequences for many millions of people. It should be noted that an Alien head was shown near the end of Predator 2 emphasizing a crossover.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Aliens vs. Predator #1, published in 1990 by Dark Horse Comics with a story written by Randy Stradley and drawn by Phill Norwood.

Early story

The story begins in space when a fast-moving ship enters the atmosphere of Ryushi, a planet at the edge of the Chigusa Corporation’s holdings in the Beta Cygni System. On the planet is Prosperity Wells, a human outpost with a population of one hundred fifteen composed of freelance ranchers, their families and a staff of corporate overseers.

The ship’s presence gets detected by operators at Prosperity Wells and one of them speculated it to be a meteor that shows no signs of breaking up. Seeking Hiroki Shimura (no longer the head of the outpost), the operator instead contacts his replacement Machiko Noguchi and informs her about the perceived meteor. After talking with the operator, Noguchi tells her predecessor near her that even though she has been leading the outpost for nearly six months, people are still reporting to him as they treat her like a stranger. Shimura tells her that she’s been trying to adapt the job to her rather than adapting herself to it, and that she cannot just run an operation while hiding from it.

Meanwhile in the wilderness, a machine starts to climb out of the pit and starts releasing Alien eggs…

Quality

*Whenever there are Alien eggs, trouble is inevitable.*

I can say that this comic book is essentially one long build-up that intends to execute the conflict between the Aliens (also referred to as the Xenomorphs) and Predators later. While the two galactic species are indeed here, the narrative is told mainly through the humans whose operations – ranching, business administration, outpost activities – are emphasized with heavy and precise details. The result here is that by the end of the comic book, you will be fully immersed with the sci-fi concept, the characters and the related developments which ultimately will prepare you for the inevitable Aliens-Predator conflict. To put it clearly, Stradley crafted a script that efficiently introduces the characters (note: Noguchi is the clear protagonist), emphasize what has been going on while also moving the story forward in a well-paced manner without compromising the details.

That being said, don’t expect the Aliens and Predators to fight each other immediately here. This is one big build-up as a whole and very notably, there is nothing boring and there were no useless scenes portrayed. Everything told and shown in this comic book made sense, and if you are the kind of person who likes paying close attention to details of the story as well as the gradual development of the key characters, you will find this one an engaging read. The narrative moved at a medium pace and cleverly the suspense happens whenever the creative team gradually build-ups the tension for the inevitable Aliens-Predators fight.

As with many other entertainment tales across varied media forms, this story has a critical portrayal of the corporation slightly emphasizing greed while making the contractors (technically the laborers) look disadvantaged. It is not a one-sided portrayal against corporatism, however, as there were moments showing the contractors relying on deception (note: disregarding quality and the safety of consumers who will soon consume the products from the ranching operation) just to achieve their goals.

More on the protagonist Machiko Noguchi, she is not the typical corporate figure for readers to hate. In fact, she is somewhat sympathetic as she is has yet to earn the respect of others even though she had been working as the head of the outpost for months. The grudge against her is subtle yet clear. The comic book also made clear that she is destined for something significant in the upcoming fight between the two galactic species.

The art by Phill Norwood is very good. While the characters have that comic book aesthetic, the Aliens and Predators are easily recognizable and were drawn with sufficient visual details. What I find weird is the creative team’s approach on applying color on the Predators. Norwood also has a really nice approach on illustrating futuristic stuff (examples: the technologies, office equipment, clothes of the characters) while also emphasizing the wilderness of Ryuchi.

Conclusion

*Machiko Noguchi takes charge even though she is despised by many.*

Aliens vs. Predator #1 (1990) is one very detailed build-up type of comic book that happens to be pretty engaging to read and the set-up for the expected conflict between the two species worked nicely. By the time I reached the end of this tale, I got immersed into its concept, the situations and characters. The build-up also came out with really interesting parts here and there which made the reading experience a very good one. Right now, I am eager to read the next issue.

Overall, Aliens vs. Predator #1 (1990) is highly recommended!

+++++

A Look Back at Amazing Spider-Man #384 (1993)

May 26, 2023May 26, 2023carlocarrasco

In my previous retro review, Spider-Man became the new target of The Jury, a team of armored mercenaries founded and led by the father (note: a prominent and powerful man) of one of Venom’s murder victims. Spider-Man was perceived to be responsible for bringing the living alien costume into the world which eventually resulted in the creation of Venom (note: Eddie Brock bonded with the same symbiote) who went on to cause havoc and killed a lot of people.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Amazing Spider-Man #384, published in 1993 by Marvel Comics with a story by David Michelinie and drawn by Mark Bagley.

Early story

The story begins inside a certain government building in New York City scheduled for renovation. A heavily restrained and drugged Spider-Man was about to have mask taken off by one of The Jury members when their founder General Taylor intervened and insisted that they keep their honor. Spider-Man is up for questioning and scrutinization in a makeshift trial by The Jury. As the webslinger is not in the proper condition to stand trial, Taylor (in his capacity as the judge) declares a 30-minute recess.

Elsewhere, Peter Parker’s wife Mary Jane received bad news from her boss that her role in the TV show Secret Hospital will be reduced to a recurring role. This troubles her deeply as it means reduced income for her at a time when her marriage with Peter continues to go down. Spider-Man’s lack of quality time with her keeps taking its toll on her…

Quality

Firstly, I should say that the Michelinie-Bagley team’s concept of having The Jury as the force of opposition against Spider-Man continues to do wonders creatively in this particular comic book series. In the previous issue, the webslinger was hunted and General Taylor really invested a lot of technologies to get to him in the middle of a very bustling city. In this particular issue, Spider-Man is completely vulnerable being weakened and disoriented as he is about to be tried in a makeshift court.

Along the way, Taylor and his team were portrayed to work within their own system of justice. As no court of law in New York would recognize Spider-Man’s trial, The Jury set up their own court in a very private and unusual manner.

While the planned trial is the major event of this comic book’s concept, Michelinie pulled off a rather unusual move with the narrative. Just as the first witness points to Spider-Man for being responsible for Venom, the iconic webslinger then starts to wonder what the trial is truly all about and then the creative team unleashed a slew of flashbacks that looked back a key events published in certain comic books of Secret Wars, The Amazing Spider-Man and Web of Spider-Man through the years. I’m talking about Spider-Man’s first-ever encounter with the symbiote, how he got rid of it, how the symbiote bonded with Eddie Brock to form Venom, how Venom’s costume left a living seed that Cletus Kassady touched and became Carnage, etc. These flashbacks, all nicely drawn by Mark Bagley, conveniently served as an instant reference for readers to catch up with the current events but this was done at the expense of this comic book’s narrative.

More on the trial, this comic book raises layered questions about the concept of responsibility on Spider-Man. Could the iconic webslinger really be held accountable for whatever murders Venom committed along with the trauma he caused on bystanders given the fact that he really brought the alien costume into their world? Should Spider-Man also be held responsible for any murders committed by Carnage? This is one really loaded script Michelinie came up with and he really had Spider-Man vulnerable not only to The Jury but also to the questions thrown at him during the makeshift trial. To put it short, this is one very unusual Spider-Man tale ever told that carries strong relevance from the past.

As with the previous issues, this comic book sheds a limited amount of the spotlight on Mary Jane and Spider-Man’s Aunt May who at this stage has gotten paranoid with her suspicions about Peter’s parents. The dramatization turned out pretty good.

Conclusion

*Spider-Man in a vulnerable state with The Jury.*

While the flashbacks were excessive and made the narrative feel bloated, Amazing Spider-Man #384 (1993) still has lots of good stuff fans can enjoy. It has a pretty bold concept of having Spider-Man really trapped and left vulnerable for the makeshift trial. More notably, the narrative pounded heavily on the concept of responsibility in relation to Spider-Man’s past actions that led to the creation of Venom and even Carnage.

Overall, Amazing Spider-Man #384 (1993) is recommended!

+++++

A Look Back at Superman #5 (1987)

May 24, 2023May 20, 2023carlocarrasco

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1980s culture enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1987 and explore a chapter of the post-Crisis DC Comics universe through a Superman tale.

To put things in perspective, John Byrne became in charge of redefining the iconic Superman during the post-Crisis age and he sure had a lot of creative freedom to not only modernize the character but also make him relevant to the public while also pleasing long-time fans. To say the least, the post-Crisis era was a time of daring concepts with the established superheroes of DC Comics. For more insight on Byrne’s handling of the Man of Steel, read my other retro comic book review by clicking here.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Superman #5, published in 1987 by DC Comics with a story written and drawn by John Byrne.

Early story

The story begins with Clark Kent having an outrageous dream in which he and Wonder Woman fight powerful enemies together. Shortly after arriving at the Daily Planet for duty, Clark learns from his boss Perry White that his office rival Lois Lane is already in South America literally digging on a significant discovery there. After being sent there by his boss, Clark flies to the south as Superman.

Upon arrival, Superman does a super speed reconnoiter at the dig site in the middle of a forest before changing back into Clark Kent. He eventually finds Lois Lane who is very surprised to see him. Even though he explained things to her, Lois remains doubtful of Clark as she still sees him as a journalistic rival who could potentially ruin her hot scoop…

Quality

*In his civilian form as Clark Kent, Superman fights the huge mummy figure.*

I can say that John Byrne’s brilliance is very evident in this comic book. Firstly, this is a story that sheds light on the journalistic rivalry between Lois and Clark that brings back memories about what happened with the Superman hot scoop in The Man of Steel limited series. Here, Lois remains doubtful about Clark and even shows some bitterness as she is on the verge of a major discovery in South America.

Secondly, this story is also an accidental adventure that creatively has a mix of Indiana Jones, UFOs and ancient horror all throughout. The build-up here is pretty strong as the tale focused strongly on the discovery aspect of the dig site which eventually led to a series of action-packed unfortunate events that really pushed Clark Kent both as civilian and as a superhero. Here, Clark has the tough task to fight an over-sized enemy (note: Byrne’s own take on the mummy) to keep Lois and the others safe while also making certain that he keeps his identity secret.

Along the way, Byrne inserted lots of in-depth details backed with observations (by the characters) which made this action-packed tale a cerebral read. This is a fine example of being creative with handling Superman while catering to readers who love spectacle as well as satisfying those who enjoy a smart presentation of the icon. In other words, there is nothing brainless or dumb to find here.

Conclusion

*The journalistic rivalry between Clark and Lois Lane is really engaging to read.*

Superman #5 (1987) is a very good read and this is fine showcase of the brilliant handling of the Man of Steel done by John Byrne. Aesthetics aside, this comic book is a relic that highlights the time when Lois and Clark were rival writers and the idea of them getting romantically involved seemed very unlikely at the time of its publishing during the early stage of the post-Crisis era. It was in many ways a defiance of the status quo of the original DC multiverse that had Lois and Superman as lovers. As an adventure, this comic book is very entertaining and engaging and the thing here is that it is only the first part of its arc.

Overall, Superman #5 (1993) is highly recommended.

+++++

A Look Back at Amazing Spider-Man #383 (1993)

May 23, 2023May 18, 2023carlocarrasco

To put things in perspective, the creative team behind the Amazing Spider-Man title decided to shake things up a bit by having the high-tech team called The Jury (the same team that went against Venom led by a powerful man whose son was murdered by Eddie Brock in Amazing Spider-Man #315) as the force of opposition for the webslinger.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Amazing Spider-Man #383, published in 1993 by Marvel Comics with a story by David Michelinie and drawn by Mark Bagley.

Early story

The story begins in New York with the super-powered being Nova flying around which triggers an alert. It turns out, members of The Jury and their leader General Orwell Taylor have been monitoring and scanning areas of the city with several motion detectors to find Spider-Man. As far as Taylor is concerned, Spider-Man is highly responsible for the existence of Venom in their world and is therefore connected to the murder of his son (committed by Venom while escaping from prison in Amazing Spider-Man #315). Taylor is convinced that the if Spider-Man’s freedom is the price for stopping a monster like Venom, then that would be good.

Suddenly, the team notices that one of their motion detectors went offline. Moments later, a technician reaches the rooftop of the building and finds a motion detector severely damaged. Out of nowhere, Spider-Man grabs the technician and puts his life in danger by moving him off the edge using his fist and strength to carry him. Spider-Man pressures him for details…

Quality

*The Jury’s hunt for Spider-Man is really entertaining to read!*

This is definitely one of the more engaging Amazing Spider-Man stories I read not only from 1993 but from the 1990s in general. In my view, putting Spider-Man up against The Jury is a stroke of genius on the part of the Michelinie-Bagley team and at the same time it was a sound relief after reading so much about the presence of Carnage and Venom on this particular monthly series (note: the Maximum Carnage crossover chapters and Amazing Spider-Man #375 being linked with the Venom: Lethal Protector limited series).

When it comes to The Jury, Michelinie crafted a script that justifies Taylor’s team to pursue Spider-Man after they failure on getting Venom. This shows that Taylor has acquired information about Venom’s origin being the result of Spider-Man bringing home with him the symbiote (alien costume) from his time on a far-away planet (as seen in the Secret Wars series). Creatively, this results in a very convincing portrayal of Taylor not only as a grieving father but also as a very tactical leader who uses vast intelligence and resources to achieve what he believes is justice and the means for achieving the greater good. As for The Jury’s armored members – Sentry, Ramshot, Screech, Firearm and Bomblast – Michelinie did not simply portray them as straight-forward, mission-focused people here. One of them shows hesitancy which added a nice layer of division and human weakness within the team which is felt in action-packed encounter with Spider-Man.

Being the target of The Jury, Spider-Man at this stage is deeply troubled even though the Maximum Carnage disasters are over. He is portrayed to be very disturbed by the alarm signals of his Spider Sense whenever he gets near one of the sensors of The Jury which is a unique display of his special ability.

Those of you who love superhero spectacle will find a lot to enjoy here! Mark Bagley’s art on emphasizing action and stunts is fantastic to look at as The Jury pursues Spider-Man within New York. There are lots of dynamic shots, flashy high-tech images and really intense superhero action complete with collateral damage!

To be clear, this comic book is not simply all about the webslinger and Taylor’s team. There are some scenes here building up on Aunt May’s suspicion about Peter Parker’s parents which added suspense to the narrative.

Conclusion

*As usual, Peter Parker does not have enough quality time for his wife.*

Amazing Spider-Man #383 (1993) remains a very solid and highly entertaining comic book to read from start to finish. The Michelinie-Bagley team really delivered the great stuff as they launched a new concept having The Jury hunting Spider-Man in successful fashion. The Jury is clearly a very formidable team that gave Venom and Spider-Man a lot of trouble. The notable thing here is that this is only the first chapter of a new storyline with focus on Spider-Man’s responsibility with the murderous Venom (and all the victims he made).

Overall, Amazing Spider-Man #383 (1993) is highly recommended!

+++++

A Look Back at Amazing Spider-Man #381 (1993)

May 18, 2023May 15, 2023carlocarrasco

To put things in perspective, 1993 was another busy year for the iconic Spider-Man who not only had four monthly series of his own but also appeared in the Venom: Lethal Protector mini-series, the 14-part Maximum Carnage crossover and in Marvel’s major crossover The Infinity Crusade. As expected, Spider-Man survived through those storylines.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Amazing Spider-Man #381, published in 1993 by Marvel Comics with a story by David Michelinie and drawn by Mark Bagley.

Early story

The story begins inside the airport in New York where the incredible Hulk/Bruce Banner himself had just arrived from Scotland. Due to his tremendous size, his physical presence easily distract the people around him. Dr. Leonard Samson surprises Banner and informs him of an upcoming scientific demonstration and the scientists behind it have developed something that could have ramifications for people who got exposed to gamma radiation. Samson explains that there is a radiation virus that releases repressed emotions. The Hulk rejects Samson and leaps to the air above towards an unknow destination.

At a school yard in lower Manhattan, two kids bully another kid into giving them his lunch money. Spider-Man suddenly arrives to stop trouble and immediately the two bullies ran away…

Quality

I can say that is one of the more interesting crossovers between Spider-Man and the Hulk who at this stage in Marvel’s comic book history retained his intelligence and personality while in his huge, green-skinned form. Adding variety to the crossover was the presence of Doc Samson who was already an established and notable supporting character in comic books featuring the Hulk.

Set after the events of Maximum Carnage, the Infinity Crusade and Hulk’s time in Scotland (as told in Incredible Hulk #407), this story shows life in New York gradually normalizing. The peace, as it turns out, was only temporary as the big-time scientific demonstration in this story leads to a series of unfortunate events that compels Peter Parker to take action as Spider-Man.

The tale was nicely structured and the creative team took its time to build-up the story concept, the character motivations and execute the superhero spectacle at an overall medium pace. There is simply no boring scene nor any wasted moments. The appearances of Samson and the Hulk in this Spider-Man tale were nicely integrated and they each had their own impact on the plot. There is a lot of stuff here that fans of both Spidey and the green giant can enjoy.

When it comes to the art, I found Mark Bagley’s take on the Hulk distinctive and intriguing to look at. The final shot of this comic book is a must-see.

Conclusion

While there clearly is no villain, Amazing Spider-Man #381 (1993) still turned out to be a fun read complete with a fine crossover between Spider-Man, Doc Samson and the Hulk. Apart from the lack of space for character development, nothing here felt half-baked with the executions of the storytelling and the spectacle. This is a fun read and it was also a modern take on the personal encounter between Hulk and Spidey during the 1990s. This comic book has something enjoyable that fans of the two Marvel icons won’t find in any of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movies and shows.

Overall, Amazing Spider-Man #381 (1993) is recommended.

+++++

A Look Back at Superman #78 (1993)

May 17, 2023May 14, 2023carlocarrasco

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1993 and explore a chapter of the Reign of the Supermen storyline through one of the issues of the Superman monthly series.

To put things in perspective, DC Comics fulfilled its promise to kill the iconic Man of Steel in Superman #75 (1993) which sold a whole lot of copies and the daring death concept made Superman a hot news item. After a brief period showing what the world is like without Superman, DC resurrected him in Adventures of Superman #500 which spawned the different Supermen and a new storyline (the Reign of the Supermen) which took effect on the four Superman monthly series of the time.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Superman #78, published in 1993 by DC Comics with a story written and drawn by Dan Jurgens.

Early story

The story begins with Lois Lane still thinking about Superman as she drives her car on a rainy night. At the moment, she still has not learned to live without him. As she is granted access into a facility of Lexcorp, she carefully thinks about the sudden number of many people around the country who claimed to have seen Superman.

Inside the facility, Dr. Meyer meets her and tells her that had met the Man of Steel sometime prior and he believes that the certain person who saved him and others was definitely the same person. Being skeptical, Lois Lane asked him if some other superhero saved them from certain death. In response, he shows to her an image of the heroic figure captured by security cameras. Lois recognizes the face and head even though some parts were shadowed…

Quality

Starting with the storytelling, I can say that this is one solid tale that really pokes the curiosity regarding Cyborg Superman…is he the real Superman or some very clever and capable impostor? Dan Jurgens really knows his Superman stuff and he used a clever approach on arousing the readers’ curiosity while still managing to move the story forward. As one of the early chapters of the Reign of the Supermen storyline, it was very obvious that things were set in motion to set up future post-death Superman stories.

The most engaging parts of this tale were the scenes between Lois Lane and Cyborg Superman (note: he sure looks like a Terminator-inspired take on the Man of Steel which itself was a daring concept back in 1993). Lois Lane here is clearly intelligent and for personal and professional reasons, she would not settle for words as definitive answers but have evidence scientifically analyzed right in front of her. Once again, this is a lively reminder that in the post-Crisis universe of DC Comics, Lois Lane is persistent on verifying facts to realize the truth (which is something clearly missing in today’s world of social media and news media outlets serving as loudspeakers for political forces).

While the storytelling remains good all these decades, what really aged badly in this comic book was the bastardization of Superman’s iconic imagery with some robotic influences of the Terminator mixed in that made him look science fictional in appearance. Of course, Cyborg Superman was just one of the Supermen in this storyline and the Reign of the Supermen concept was clearly an extension of DC Comics’ dishonesty behind the death and return of the Man of Steel. This also shows DC’s irresponsible handling of one of America’s icons. Let’s be honest with ourselves here…how many of you really want to see Cyborg Superman in live-action form in a future DC superhero movie from Warner Bros. and James Gunn?

Conclusion

*How many of you have this poster of a very bastardized image of Superman in your homes right now?*

While Superman #78 (1993) has a good story told and added to the mystery about the resurrection of Superman, it ultimately served as a build-up platform to set up further stories not only about the Man of Steel but also that of Doomsday (note: a big rematch happened a few years later). The image of Cyborg Superman is clearly a defamation of the iconic look of the Man of Steel and that alone really brought the overall entertainment value of this comic book way down in my view. I find it baffling that there was no major backlash nor an outrage from Superman fans back in 1993 over this.

Overall, Superman #78 (1993) is serviceable.

+++++

A Look Back at Web of Spider-Man #90 (1992)

May 10, 2023May 10, 2023carlocarrasco

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1992 and explore a part of what was back then the 30^th anniversary celebration of Spider-Man

In what was back then a unique approaching to celebrating the anniversary of an American icon, Marvel Comics published not one but four specific Spider-Man comic books that had holographic covers and more pages than the usual. Each of those special comic books were from a different Spider-Man monthly series. Back in 2020, I published a retro review of one of those gimmick cover comic books from the Spider-Man monthly series.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Web of Spider-Man #90, published in 1992 by Marvel Comics with a story by Howard Mackie and drawn by Alex Saviuk.

Early story

The story begins inside an office in Los Angeles. A hat-wearing businessman has several varied figures of Spider-Man near him and recalls the time when the iconic hero participated in one of his events as the Masked Marvel. Moments later, the businessman’s wife arrives and together they departed in a limousine.

At the South Bronx in New York, Spider-Man chases a speeding car with one of its passengers firing a gun at him. Suddenly, his spider sense bothers him a lot and when he looks around, he suddenly sees Galactus standing with members of the Avengers, the X-Men and the Fantastic Four lying down helpless on the ground…

Quality

*Spider-Man on the set of an entertainment project. It’s a lively reminder about how sickening Hollywood (AKA Commiewood) can get.*

To make things clear and without spoiling the plot, this story deals with illusions and the distortion of reality. Quite ironically, the said distortion made it a challenge to follow the narrative and I can say that a good amount of the spotlight was on the businessman. Spider-Man is clearly the protagonist here but it made sense for the creative team to focus a bit on the businessman (who has been doing entertainment showcases for a long time) to justify the core concept about the conflicts between what is real and what is imaginary.

In relation to the illusion aspect of the story, you will get to see established Spider-Man arch-villains such as the Green Goblin, the Hobgoblin and Venom taking on the superhero himself. As the creative team focused more on providing a great amount of spectacle, there clearly was no room left for character development on Spider-Man. Don’t expect to see Peter Parker in dramatic moments nor see him interact with the established supporting characters.

If there is any moral lesson to learn from this comic book, it would be this – living with a powerful delusion (the result of personal obsession mixed with the personal failure to separate illusion from reality) can lead you to the wrong directions in life.

Conclusion

*To justify the 30th anniversary celebration, distorted flashbacks into Peter Parker’s past were presented here.*

Web of Spider-Man #90 (1992) does not have much depth for those who seek engaging storytelling. That being said, the story itself is not memorable nor would it leave a long lasting impact on you. This comic book was made to entertain readers with lots of action and wild fantasy images that eerily justify its concept about illusion and reality conflicting each other. In fairness to the creative team, the said conflict was consistently visualized and there were some dialogue that related to it in a somewhat philosophical manner. The comic book’s entertainment value is satisfying enough although it does not justify the holographic cover that was part of the gimmick with celebrating Spider-Man’s 30th anniversary. As for who was the main antagonist of the comic book, I simply encourage you all to read and find out for yourselves.

Overall, Web of Spider-Man #90 (1992) is satisfactory.

+++++

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