Much like Marvel Premiere or DC’s own long-running Showcase, 1st Issue Special was a launchpad for both new concepts as well as such characters as Dr. Fate getting a shot on their own. Although the series only ran 13 issues, 1st Issue Special #8 is standout as it’s the first appearance of writer-artist Mike Grell’s creation, The Warlord.
Jack Kirby gave Norrin Radd his context. Stan Lee’s words gave the character his soul. But John Buscema gave him his awesome, majestic power, and nowhere are the compelling visuals of this more on display that on the cover for Silver Surfer #4.
Both were spawned by the deaths of their families, and of course both used that as their impetus to fight crime. But where the Punisher decided to mete out deadly retribution, Batman went to the extreme the other direction, regularly sparing even criminals like the Joker (one of the two main villains in this story).
Partisan, while a very different story from Ennis and Epting, is a spiritual successor or sequel to Sara. Both deal with women swept up in circumstances beyond their control on the Soviet side of World War II, and both confront the brutality of war, the totalitarian nature of the state, and the price of hoping for a better future.
Following on the previous issue’s Hate Monger story, we get a smoldering, bluesy Christmas story that sees Fury try to spend the holiday with the beautiful Laura Brown. All that’s missing is a swanky jazz soundtrack. The quiet, romantic moment suddenly turns into an action adventure, and a great Christmas comic. It’s Christmas wrapping around a quiet epic spy vs. terrorist tale.
As the Grab-Bag subtitle suggests, this is not an issue themed by title. Rather, it was a mix of characters and stories. In addition to the Nick Fury adventure, the stories came from Amazing Spider-Man #24, Hero for Hire #7, Incredible Hulk #147, and Doctor Strange #180. This gave the reader a diverse line-up of top and secondary characters.
Written by Roy and Dann Thomas, Infinity, Inc. #30 is illustrated by Todd McFarlane and inked by Tony DeZuniga. Roy Thomas, of course, created the series (and in that era had the run of DC’s Golden Age heroes) and McFarlane was well on his way to becoming the Todd McFarlane we know today. Veteran artist DeZuniga was a good match for him on inks.
Locke & Key creator Joe Hill has this to say about writer Ed Brubaker and artist Sean Phillips’ recent collaboration: “Reckless is an absolute rush: on the same level as golden age Travis McGee novels and the hardest-hitting Richard Stark stories. This one comes at you as fast as Steve McQueen in a souped-up Mustang and as hard as Charles Bronson with a baseball bat. You gotta have it.”
This volume collects Weird Science #12-15, and #5-6, though if you can follow the numbering sequence on this title you’ll want to consider joining our Overstreet Advisors group. The series had previously been known as Happy Houlihans, Saddle Justice, and Saddle Romances, and after #23 would be known as Weird Science-Fantasy, again ostensibly continuing the numbering. These sorts of changes were generally done to avoid the cost of purchasing another mailing permit, which were a premium expense against the thin margins of publishing comics in those days.
Geiger #19 puts a spotlight on one of the recurring characters, The Glowing Woman, Ashley Arden, another person seemingly afflicted in a similar fashion to Tariq Geiger. As we’ve seen in her appearances to date, she has a very different demeanor than Geiger, and she definitely has her own agenda. This story demonstrates that and offers insight as to how she got that way.
