Women Wednesday: Delta Tenn #8

Delta Tenn #8 (1988) is an independent comic created, drawm. written and lettered by Mark Marderosian from Entertainment Publishing Company (yet the cover has TE Comic). The production artist was Steve Cohen, who also did #9 and 10. The cover features the blonde law enforcer strangling a knife-wielding villain while two other bad guys approach. Her police uniform is odd mostly for the fact that she carries her nightstick and pistol on what appears to be a garter just above her right thigh-high boot. She wears a cap inside this issue, which is in black and white, that makes her look a lot like a dominatrix than a cop. "Sadist's Dream" is a rather odd story for Delta Tenn's boyfriend is back at work as a host for a children's tv show called Kiddie Kave. I will say that this is not a comic for kids since it deals with the sadistic killer dressing up in a kitty costume.

A one-page text story titled "Marks of a Killer" is also included. A page with fan art and the blueprints for the Antranig model THS-5200 rocket launcher can also be found in the back. The inside back cover features a pinup of Delta Tenn while a t-shirt offer is on the back. This was the last issue of the series.

Goodnight John Hicklenton

I am a little late in posting this but British comic artist John Hicklenton died on March 19, 2010 at the age of 42 according to Digital Spy. He was best know for his work on 2000 AD, Judge Dredd Magazine and Nemesis The Warlock. As John Deadstock, he drew Zombie World for Dark Horse Comics.

Greylore #1

This issue is the start of a six-issue epic according to the cover of Greylore #1 (December 1985). Unfortunately, the series only last for five issues. Bo Hampton was the cover and interior artist. "A Pox Upon Him" was written by David Campiti, Kevin Juaire and Peter John Palmer. The colorist was Scott Rockwell while Bill Oakley provided the lettering. The story deals with a wizard (he is on the cover's left) finding out that the rogue Baru Greylore (he is on the cover's right) will charm his way into a lady's favor and stole her family necklace. The lady and her newborn son is banished by her husband. The offspring grows up loathing all adventurers, starts to dabble in sorcery and destroys his world. The wizard sets him on a mission to become a hero in hopes that the planet will be saved. The best part of this issue is when Chaliss (the woman on the cover) shows up looking to settle a score.

Zorro #11 and 12

This post is later than usual for Blogger was having graphic problems for most of the day. Anyway, the cover of these last two issues of the Zorro series from Marvel Comics were done by Alex Toth. Zorro #11 (October 1991) features "Engagement With Death" written by Bruce Lansbury and Ian Rimmer, penciled by Dave Taylor, inked by Colin Fawcett, colored by Louise Cassell and lettered by Stuart Bartlett. This issue deals with Diego's father being visited by Francesca, whom he has been writing letters to and decided to marry. Of course, she is not what she appears to be and trouble forces Zorro to appear.

Dave Taylor did the interior artwork for Zorro #12 (November 1991). "Saints and Sinners" was written by Ian Rimmer, colored by Louise Cassell and lettered by Stuart Bartlett. I like this issue the best for it deals what would have happened if Diego never donned the mask.

Zorro #4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9

"Relative Danger" in Zorro #4 (March 1991) has a flashback of when Diego found Felipe.

Zorro #5 (April 1991) features "Deal With the Devil" that has Colonel Mefisto Palomarez of the Royal Spanish Army taking over Los Angeles.

"The Best Man" in Zorro #6 (May 1991) has Deigo's cousin, Raphael, and his fiancee coming to Los Angeles but she falls in love with the masked man.

Dave Taylor did the cover and interior art for Zorro #7 (June 1991) features "Liquid Gold" about Los Angeles dealing with a drought and Alcalde Luis Ramone's greed.

"Sanctuary" in Zorro #8 (July 1991) features the arrival of Sir Edmund Kendall, Diego's old university professor and fencing tutor. Dave Taylor did the cover and the interior art.

Dave Taylor also did the cover of Zorro #9 (August 1991) as well as the interior pencils. "The Devil You Know!" features the Alcalde's twin brother, Vincente.

Goodnight Dick Giordano

Dick Giordano has died today at the age of 77 according to Newsarama and Who Arted?. The legendary inker, artist and editor that worked at Charlton Comics, DC Comics and Continuity Associates studios (he was Neal Adams' partner in the latter). He launched Future Comics with the help of writer David Michelinie and artist Bob Layton. His team up work with Neal Adams on Batman and Green Arrow/Green Lantern during the late 1960s and early 1970s are highly recommended.

Dick Giodano
July 20, 1932 – March 27, 2010

Zorro #2

Mario Capaldi may have been the cover artist for Zorro #2 (January 1991) since he did the interior pencils and inks. "The Magician" was scripted by Ian Rimmer based on a story by Ted Alben and Greg Klein. Euan Peters was the colorist and Stuart Bartlett was the letterer. This series from Marvel Comics was based on the 1990 Zorro tv series that ran on the Family Channel starring Duncan Regehr and Patrice Camhi Martinez.

Marvel Tales #230, 231 and 232

Todd McFarlane did cover art for these three issues. Marvel Tales #230 (Mid November 1989) contains the story titled "Bewitched, Bothered and Be-Dazzled" written by Marv Wolfman. Spider-Man teams up with Dazzler against Lightmaster. Spider-Ham is featured in a backup story titled "Cult of Dolts" written by Danny Fingeroth.

Marvel Tales #231 (December 1989) features "Something This Way Wicked Kills!" written by David Michelinie. Spider-Man teams up with Paladin against Thermo, a scientist gone mad after a lab accident (this seems to happen a lot in the Marvel Universe).

Spider-Man teams up with Dazzler and Paladin in Marvel Tales #232 (Mid December 1989) in a story titled "Critical Mass" written by Dave Kraft. The trio fights Thermo, who takes over the leadership of a cult.

Marvel Tales #208

Red Sonja travels through time to help Spider-Man in Marvel Tales #208 (February 1988). Terry Austin and John Byrne did the cover. "Sword of the She-Devil" was written by Byrne, who also shared the penciling with Chris Claremont. The issue was inked by Austin, colored by Andy Yanchus and lettered by Tom Orzechowski. Roy Thomas was consulting editor and Jim Shooter was editor in chief. Basically, Mary Jane works her way into a museum while Spidey battles demons summoned by Kulan Gath (a security guard changed into him). She is drawn to a sword and is transformed into Red Sonja. The sorcerer captures them and casts a spell so the hero can understand him. He manages to get free before releasing the fiery redheaded Amazon. They battle Kulan Gath in and out of the museum. The look on Red Sonja's face as she breathes in the foul air of New York City is priceless. The security guard returns to normal after being knocked out as Kulan Gath by Spider-Man. Red Sonja drops her sword and leaves the body of Mary Jane.

This issue also features a Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham backup story titled "Your Chitlin' Heart" or "Bacon Up is Hard To Do". Spider-Ham tries breaking up with Black Catfish. The story was written by Steve Mellor, penciled by Joe Albelo, inked by Pierre Fournier, lettered by Rick Parker and colored by Andy Yanchus.

Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #18

Jackson Guice did the cover and interior pencils of Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #18 (June 1990) for Marvel Comics that features Stephen minus the eye patch protecting Morgana Blessing and Baron Blood aka Victor Strange (yes, he's the sorcerer's brother) against Varnae. "Blood is Thicker..." was written by Roy and Dann Thomas, inked by Tony DeZuniga, colored by Christie Scheele and lettered by Janice Chiang. Brother Voodoo and Morbius the living vampire also appear to help Doctor Strange stop Marie Laveau from summoning the first lord of vampires. This issue is the conclusion to the five part saga titled The Vampiric Verses.

Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #3

The cover of Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #3 (March 1989) features Stephen with an eye patch fighting alongside Valkyrie, Andromeda Attumasen and Odin...er, Interloper. The cover artist is unknown. "Dragon Ring" was written by Peter B. Gillis, penciled by Richard Case, inked by Randy Emberlin, colored by Bob Sharen and lettered by Janice Chiang.

Gil Kane did the cover of The Web #9 (May 1992) features Buster, a female agent of the team. Len Strazewski wrote "Secrets of the Web" with Cooper Smith penciling, Bill Wray inking, Eric Kachelhofer coloring and Vickie Williams lettering. This is the fifth part of the Coming of the Crusaders that were going through the Impact Comics at the time. The trading card bound within the comic features the Crusaders composing of the Shield, the Jaquar, the Fly and Fireball (the back features the upper part of the Fly in black and white that appears to be a puzzle piece). I have never read an issue of this series before and it was pretty confusing since I did not know all the team members. The Fly, the Comet and Fireball trying to break into the Web's base.

The Jaguar #8

I picked up The Jaguar #1 (August 1991) and 7 (March 1992) when they originally came out from Impact Comics. I liked them but finding the series at the local newstand was spotty at best. I quickly snatched up The Jaguar #8 (April 1992) when I spotted it for ninety-nine cents on my last comic buying spree. The cover artist for the issue was Mark Beachum, who also did the cover of #7. "Iron Coincidence" was written by William Messner-Loebs, penciled by Ken Penders and Chuck Wojtkiewicz, inked by Scott Hanna and Pablo Marcos, colored by Tom Ziuko and lettered by Tim Harkins. Jaguar goes against Pegg, a mercenary that can turn invisible.

The Fly Annual #1

George Pratt did the cover of The Fly Annual #1 (1991) from Impact Comics, which is an imprint of DC Comics. "The Dark Towers" is part four of the Earth Quest saga that was going through all the Impact Annuals. Bonus stories includes "Up the Amazon Without A Paddle" and "Power Failure" (the latter features a member of the Web in 1973).

Cyber Crush: Robots in Revolt #3

I love the cover of Cyber Crush: Robots in Revolt #3 (November 1991) by Jim Balent. You just can't go wrong with a killer female robot. Too bad that she does not appear in any of the stories within this issue. "Ro-busters" and "Hammer-Stein is...Mek-Warrior!" both feature a combat robot called Hammer-Stein. "Robo-Hunter" features Sam Slade, the only human on a robot planet. This is my only comic book from Fleetway Quality Comics.

Warp Special #2

First Comics only published three issues of Warp Special that was a spin off from their Warp! series that lasted for nineteen issues. The titles were in reference to the first American science fiction play from 1971 titled Warp! written by Stuart Gordon and Bury St. Edmund. The play and back story became the basis for the comics. In the play, David Carson is a bank teller that learns that he is Lord Cumulus. As the avenger of the universe, he battles Lord Chaos. The play was originally performed by the Organic Theatre Company in Chicago, Illinois before moving to Broadway in 1973. Now who says you don't learn something new by reading this blog.

The cover of Warp Special #2 (January 1984) was by Marc Silvestri, who also provided the pencils of the interior artwork, and features Lord Cumulus and Sargon, Mistress of War. "Forged in the Flame" was written by Peter B. Gillis, inked by Mike Gustovich, colored by Janice Cohen and lettered by Pete Iro. In this issue, Lord Cumulus and Sargon are betrayed by Meroe to raise Ylem, who is trapped in the forge under the city of Fen-Ra.

Vampirella Changes Publishers

According to Comics Continuum, Vampirella has been acquired by Dynamite Entertainment from Harris Publications. Specific plans about the character's future will be announced soon.

Starslayer #33 and 34

Starslayer #33 (October 1985) features a cover by Jon Eddings, who also penciled the interior art. "And Now...Sargon!" was written by John Ostrander. Sargon the Sorceress is the sword-bearing babe on the cover but she is not the only one in the story.

The Black Flame back up story in this issue is titled "New Dreams This Morning!"

The last issue of the series is Starslayer #34 (November 1985). The cover features the death goddess, Morrigan, fighting Torin in his avatar form. "Redemption" seems to be a fitting end to the title.

Jon Eddings and Mark A. Nelson were the cover artists for Starslayer #31 (August 1985). "Legends" retells how Torin Mac Quillon, a Celtic warrior from the time of the Roman Empire, is pulled to the distant future. The story was written by John Ostander, inked by Mark A. Nelson, lettered by Willie Schubert, colored by Wendy Fiore, penciled by Jon Eddings and edited by Mike Gold.

Mike Grell originally created Starslayer: The Log of the Jolly Roger for DC Comics but plans were halted with the DC Implosion that canceled many titles. He offered the series to Pacific Comics, who published six issues in 1982. Grell was swayed to continue future issues at First Comics by editor Mike Gold. He left the series with #8.

The Black Flame's back up story is titled "Every Smallest Dream...!" written by Peter B. Gillis, who also created the series. Thomas F. Sutton was the penciller, Don Lomax was the inker, Steve Haynie was the letterer, Rick Taylor was the colorist and Rick Oliver was the editor.

Jon Sable Freelance #33

Mike Grell and Sergio Aragonés team up for Jon Sable Freelance #33 (February 1986). They not only did the cover but also wrote, penciled and inked the story titled "Cave of the Half-Pints". Jon dons his B. B. Flemm's disguise to meet Sucio Eroganes along with Mike and Eden in Los Angeles. Sucio is a cartoonist doing the storyboards for the movie based on Flemm's leprechaun books. The opening sequence's artwork is, of course, done by Mike Grell. The storyboards is done by Sergio Aragonés and follows three leprechauns (Grog O'Leary, Dusty Cruster and Dooley) being kicked out of Dublin's faery mound in 1847. They meet a Red Man on a ship sailing to America, where the trio sets up their faery mound. They start making their own special brew and have several misadventures throw the years.

Jon Sable Freelance #31 and 32

Jon Sable Freelance #31 (December 1985) and 32 (January 1986) features part one and two of "The Gauntlet". After spending a night with Mike, Jon is picked up by a mysterious blonde while taking a walk. She rushes him to the docks to see his old friend Captain Hook aka Jerry Fetter. He is recruited to go into Nicaragua to find out if large crates that the Russians have there are actually MIG 25's. After saying goodbye to Mike, he meets the rest of the team that includes Aileen Saxon (the mysterious blonde who was trained as a Navy SEAL), Ed Gardner (an older demolitions man that served in Korea), Patrick O'Reilly (a black Irishman that got busted up in Vietnam but can still fly anything), Will Jordan (a Texas Ranger that is an excellent marksman and tracker) and Tahnee Hand (half Cherokee and half gypsy woman that that is highly trained in wilderness survival and primitive weapons).

The team plans before going to Nicaragua in Jon Sable Freelance #32. The mission turns even deadlier than expected when the crates end up having medium-range missiles on mobile launches with nuclear warheads.

Mike Grell not only drew both covers but he also wrote and illustrated the two part story. Ken Bruzenak was the letterer and Janice Cohen was the colorist.

Jon Sable Freelance #28, 29 and 30

After a hot shower scene with Sable and Mike, Jon Sable Freelance #28 (September 1985) finds our hero being introduced to Sonny's old friend, Wichita Kaintuck. The pair used to run a movie stunt business called Skid, Crash and Burn, Inc. "Bye Bye Blackbird" has the trio going to a fund raiser along with Mike put on by a famed producer's daughter. Among the items up for bid is Errol Flynn's boots from They Died With Their Boots On, the helmet worn by Kirk Douglas in The Vikings, Clint Eastwood's .44 magnum and the Maltese Falcon. Naturally, the bird is stolen and everyone at the fund raiser is suspected. Mike Grell pays homage to Sam Spade in this issue and the following two issues.

This issue also features part four of the Shatter back up feature.

"Murder...in Spades" is the story's title in Jon Sable Freelance #29 (October 1985) and involves the search for the missing Maltese Falcon.

Part five of the Shatter back up feature is also included in this issue

"The Stuff of Dreams" concludes the search of the missing Maltese Falcon in Jon Sable Freelance (November 1985).

This issue also features part six of the Shatter back up feature.

Jon Sable Freelance #27

Mike Grell once again did the cover for Jon Sable Freelance #27 (August 1985). He also wrote and illustrated "Torch Song" that tells the tale of Jon Moses coming to America in 1951 to meet his father, Jack Sable, and his wife. We learn that his mother escaped the Germans during a bombing attack on D-Day and continued to work for MI9 after the war. He was a rebel during his teens before turning down an appointment to West Point that his father had set up. Jon went to Middlebury College and his father cut him off the family funds. He started blowing sax in a dance band and started to compete in the pentathlon. After a post-graduate course at the government's Vietnam finishing school, he competed and made the 1972 Olympics in Munich. The story shifts back to the present and Jon Sable makes love to Mike Bloodmoon while she is wearing a red sash around her head (there's some pretty adult soap opera moments here folks).

This issue also features another untitled Shatter story.

Batman: Under The Red Hood Website Now Live

Batman: Under The Red Hood is now live from Warner Brothers. There is not much there except for a cool artwork of Batman and the Red Hood that would make a cool desktop wallpaper. There is also a link to sign up for exclusive updates to the upcoming direct-to-video animated movie that is coming this summer.

Jon Sable Freelance #25 and 26

Jon Sable Freelance #25 (June 1985) features "Homecoming Part 1: The Angel" and starts with him in the disguise of B. B. Flemm discussing his leprechaun books as a Broadway play with Eden Kendall. He then meets up with Mike Blackmoon minus the wig, mustache and glasses. She shows him a painting of a line that she did for the hunting article that he wrote. Sable goes home only to find the federal agent waiting to tell him that Sparrow is out to kill him since he did not kill him in the last issue. He takes Mike to a cabin to get closer and he starts telling her of his mother.

"Homecoming Part 2: The Moses Line" is the main feature of Jon Sable Freelance #26 (July 1985). This story is about how his parents met in the last part of World War II. His father, Captain Jack Sable, was part of the Eighth Air Force that got shot down over Belgium. He meets and fall in love with a resistance fighter code named Moses.

Both issues features a bonus Shatter story. Mike Saenz was the artist while Peter B. Gillis was the writer.

Women Wednesday: Grace Park On Human Target

Grace Park, who played Boomer on Battlestar Galactica will be appearing on a future episode of Human Target titled "Cornerman". All new episodes starts tonight and I think she deserves to be the woman of the week.

Jon Sable Freelance #22 and 24

Jon Sable Freelance #22 (March 1985) and 24 has part one of "The Contract" written by Mike Grell, who also did the covers and illustrated the interior. Widowmaker, the horse from last issue, is now a carriage horse at the start of the first book. Sable takes Mike Blackmoon for a ride to celebrate her birthday. The pair have been growing closer and she is the tall artist for his line of children books that he writes as B. B. Flemm. His publisher, Eden Kendall, also appears in very sexy white lingerie. Anyway, Sable is approached by a federal agent to terminate Sparrow. He thinks the offer over before accepting. Jon Sable Freelance #22 also has "Safari Sketchbook" that features text, sketches and photographs that Mike Grell did while on safari in Africa.

Jon Sable Freelance #24 (May 1985) has the conclusion of "The Contract" (I actually picked up two copies of this by mistake). He finds himself in Isreal making out with Rachel in the desert outside of Jerusalem. Sable sets up a deal with an arms dealer before getting attacked after leaving his establishment. The pair attack a warehouse that has Sparrow's second in command and lover only to find out that it was a set-up. Rachel not only betrayed Sable but was also sent to kill Sparrow. The ending is pretty cool with the last two pages having no words. Another installment of "Safari Sketchbook" is in the back of this issue.

Jon Sable Freelance #21

Jon Sable Freelance #12 (February 1985) features another great cover by Mike Grell. "Widowmaker" had him going after the wife that was convicted of hitting her husband with a horseshoe and has been dubbed the White Widow by the press. She claims that he was kicked in the head by a horse. She is out on bond while her case is on appeal but her husband has been in a coma for the past five years. Widowmaker is also the name of the horse that her husband trained for the Olympics. Jon Sable met him during that time while he was training for the Pentathlon and he was helped with his equestrian events. He tells her that she is not going to get away with it and starts showing up everywhere. Sable even goes to the stable to visit Widowmaker just in time for the White Widow to go for a ride. I will not spoil her fate but it is ironic.

Jon Sable Freelance #19

I have read a couple issues of Jon Sable Freelance from First Comics in the past (#8, 30, 32, 34 and 40 to be exact). When I recently picked up the eighty-nine comics for ninety-nine cents, I picked up several more issues of the series. Mike Grell not only did the cover for Jon Sable Freelance #19 (December 1984) but he also wrote the script as well as penciled and inked the interior art. Janice Cohen was the colorist while Ken Bruzenak did the lettering. This issue's story was titled "Prey" and finds Jon Sable back in Rhodesia, South Africa being hunted by bounty hunters (he has a price on his head). He visits Colonel McKenna and his wife, Ruth, who are the parents of his dead wife, Elise (she died along with their son and daughter in a house fire set by poachers). The Colonel is not very happy to see him but Ruth has a little more sympathy. The end is very touching because the last two pages has no words while the Colonel makes a very important decision. In fact, there are several wordless pages through the issues and Mike Grell's art is just breathtaking.

The Badger #15

Bill Reinhold was the cover artist and did the interior pencils for The Badger #15 (September 1986). Mike Baron wrote the script titled "Enter The Wombat" while Ricky Bryant inked, Willie Schubert lettered and Linda Lessman colored. This issue finds Norbert Sykes in Sidney, Australia in search of a Thylacine (Tasmanian tiger). He meets up with the Wombat, who is protecting the bush where the beast roams.

"The New Regime" is the title of the Zoomtown bonus story written by Mike Baron, penciled by Graig Brasfield, inked by Brian Thomas, lettered by Willie Schubert and colored by Ron Courtney. Chastity becomes the new leader and puts women in charge of everything in the community. This does not set well with Gear, the former leader, who leaves Zoomtown.

The Badger #12

I have read a several issues of The Badger from First Comics over the years. The issues were #14, 19, 36, 43, 48 and 63 for those that would like to know. I like this series because Norbert Sykes, a Vietnam veteran, suffers from multiple personality disorder and the urban masked vigilante known as the Badger is just one of them.

Bill Reinhold did the cover of The Badger #12 (June 1986) that features Norbert crashing into a window while Hodag puts the moves on Daisy (Lord Weterlackus looks on in the background). He also penciled the interior art along with Rick Stasi. Mike Baron, who also created the series, wrote the script titled "Red Snow" while Keith "Kez" Wilson inked. Linda Lessmann was the colorist and Willie Schubert was the letterer.

This issue also features an untitled Zoomtown backup story written by Mike Baron, penciled by Ron Wagner and inked by Gary Martin.

Dollman #3

Hector Gomez did the cover for Dollman #3 (February 1992) from Eternity Comics and was based on the science fiction movie from Full Moon Entertainment starring Tim Thomerson as Brick Bardo, space cop. I really wish Hector did the interior art as well but that went to Marcelo Campos. Bill Spangler wrote the script titled "Midnight Show" that has the Braindead kidnapping Toni, a stripper. The back cover features an advertisement of the movie coming out on video. If you are not familiar with the movie, go see it for it is much better than this issue. I am not surprised that the series only lasted for four issues.

Clive Barker's Nightbreed #3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 12

I am pretty sure that Jim Baikie was the cover artist for Clive Barker's Nightbreed #3 (June 1990), 4 (July 1990), 5 (September 1990), 6 (November 1990), 7 (January 1991) and 8 (March 1991) but I am not too sure about #12 (November 1991). He also did the interior art for #3 and 4 before being replaced by a various artists. Alan Grant and John Wagner were the writers until #5 when D. G. Chichester took over the writing. Epic Comics, an imprint of Marvel Comics, published the series. If you enjoyed the horror movie, then you will enjoy the comic series.