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.