This wasn't gonna work, but good on Blade for giving it a try.

Mike Baron played a card really early in his Punisher run--around the second issue, if I recall correctly--like Frank was going to bag it in, give up being the Punisher, retire somewhere. Seemed pretty unlikely then, seems pretty unlikely here too. From 1994, Blade: the Vampire Hunter #1, "Dark Visions" Written by Ian Edginton, pencils by Douglas H. Wheatley, inks by Chris Ivy.

After the (presumed) deaths of his teammates in the Nightstalkers, Blade was going to give the old normal life a try. In fact, I thought he was using his real name, but he gives it out as "Hannibal Francis Blade," after his lost friends. Still, in short order he's accosted by escaped lunatic Bible Bob, who tells Blade he's never going to be able to walk away from the life, and to that effect gives him a "witch's compass," knowing it will lead Blade back into action soon enough. Blade fights Thorne, a corporate raider type, now head of Varnae's vampire cult; who's up to all sorts of modernized vampire nonsense, like a "necrotech program" using "a chaos theory form of random analysis" for mystic events. Such as "the imminent return of that Carpathian leech, Count Dracula!"

Sure enough, a reporter working on the Nightstalkers story runs afoul of the resurrected Dracula, who appears briefly this issue, in a toga. They may have been trying to update him from his traditional Tomb of Dracula look, but I know they weren't quite to his current red armor look, which I can't stand.
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"Boot up."

We all know Deathlok was originally from the far-off future of 1990, but Roxxon took the time-travelling cyborg apart, then made an all-robot version...in 1979, Marvel Two-In-One #54. So I think the tech has existed in the main Marvel timeline for quite a while.

Man, now that we have such a nice Deathlok, I want a whole cyborg squad, like Coldblood and Siege. We discussed Coldblood earlier--the suave, Bond type of cyborgs--while poor Siege, every time he was introduced back in his Daredevil "Fall From Grace" appearances, was described as maybe being a program that thinks it's a dead guy. Which makes me imagine him as sounding like a burly, gung-ho Marine that every so often beeps or bloops out "FILE NOT FOUND." Or the dial-up modem sound. Anyway, I'm 90% sure Siege got himself blown up in a later Marvel Zombies series maybe.
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We saw the creepy, terrible aliens of the Horde yesterday; so why not some more aliens today? This batch is more argumentative, I think: from 1992, Avengers West Coast #82, "Shi'ar Hatred!" Written by Roy and Dann Thomas, pencils by David Ross, inks by Tim Dzon.

I hadn't been reading West Coast Avengers at the time, but this was the third straight chapter of "Operation: Galactic Storm." There's a title that hasn't aged well. The crossover ran nineteen issues, and while I know I picked up the conclusion in Avengers, but I only read the tie-ins that were in books I was already reading, Captain America and Quasar. (I know one of the latter's featured one of Carol Danver's last appearances as Binary, maybe we'll check that out later.) This chapter, the Kree Starforce has been captured, but tensions are still high between the Shi'ar and the Avengers. Lilandra usually is more reasonable, but her advisor Araki seems to be pushing her towards a confrontation. The Imperial Guard is ordered to take the team to quarters, but Thor--rookie Eric Masterson--lashes out, leading to this issue's fight scene.

Living Lightning takes a shot at Lilandra, but gets Araki instead: it was only to stun, but reveals him to be a Skrull. Lilandra releases Ultimus (formerly known as the Demon Druid) to take word of the Skrulls stirring things up back to the Kree; but they may have a bigger problem: the Nega Bomb has disappeared, although Quasar may know where it's gone...
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This wasn't the last issue of the series--although that was less than a year out, perhaps appropriately. But it is the last issue with the book's creators: from 1988, Strikeforce: Morituri #20, "...Salute You!" Written by Peter B. Gillis, pencils by Brent Anderson, inks by Scott Williams.

Strikeforce member Harold "Vyking" Everson had been a writer, and like many writers, took a lot of notes for a project he never finished, a book about his time on the team. Since his recorder could have confidential information on it, it's turned over to the current commander, even though he protests he had never even met Everson. As he listens to it, the Horde announces they will be freeing their captured human slaves, but like everything the aliens did, it was cruel: they had been implanted with bombs, and would have to be quarantined or segregated. A raiding party also hits Washington, D.C.: the Horde could easily have destroyed earth, but that wasn't their way; they didn't even seem overly concerned about resources or losses, only sadism as a way of life.

Meanwhile, former member Aline "Blackthorne" Pagrovna had lived longer than a normal Morituri: the process that gave them powers killed them inside of a year, but her pregnancy had somehow given her more time. Her child had been placed in an incubator, and Aline knew her time was running out, and she dies. Her friends had salvaged an alien transmitter, that they hoped would bring them help against the Horde; although they acknowledge it could just as easily attract something worse. As the Strikeforce battles the raiding party, they realize the raiders are surgically altered human slaves, living bombs. The Horde Commander broadcasts directly to the team, which seems like the sort of thing a TV cartoon villain would do, except it's heartless and vicious: during the battle, the Horde also attacked other cities that weren't defended. Even with their powers, were the Strikeforce a legitimate help in the war? Their government didn't think so, according to the commander; and he claims he could kill as many humans as he likes. The team is on the verge of crushing despair, when children run to their heroes, cheering them even in the wreckage.

The Strikeforce commander ends the issue listening to Harold's recorder, as he wonders what a good reason to die would be, and when he will find out. One final gutpunch from Gillis and Anderson, although I'm curious why they were leaving the book: there wasn't a letters page or editorial or anything here discussing it.
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I hadn't read a lot of comics this week, but since we mentioned Spider-Woman yesterday, I did have a book handy with her. Or her corpse. Or her ghost. Or her corpse and her ghost. From 1984, Avengers #240, "The Ghost of Jessica Drew!" Written by Roger Stern, with story consultant Ann Nocenti, pencils by Al Milgrom, inks by Joe Sinnott.

I actually read Spider-Woman for at least a year back in the day: my little sister had a subscription, since I had one to Star Wars. But she let hers lapse before S-W's cancellation with Spider-Woman #50. In that final issue, sixth-century sorcerer Magnus brought Spider-Woman's astral form back in time for a final battle with Morgan le Fey. Morgan gets knocked out of her castle and reduced to a pile of bones by Merlin's spell, but back in the present Jessica discovers her body, dead; Morgan's revenge. She asks Magnus to cast a "spell of forgetfulness," erasing the memory of Spider-Woman from the world. It doesn't work as well as advertised: her close friends (which included the Shroud and Tigra) remember immediately, and the gathered Avengers recall her with a little prompting. But Magnus had an ulterior motive in the spell, wanting Jessica to stay with her in the astral plane.

In San Francisco, Tigra has brought Wasp, Scarlet Witch, Captain Marvel, and She-Hulk to Jessica's hospital room, where she lies barely alive. The Avengers bring in Dr. Strange and Dr. Henry Pym; with this being Hank's first time with the team since his and Jan's divorce. While everyone can tell she's pretty wrecked about this, Jan keeps it together. The doctors realize Jessica's mind, her soul, aren't home; while Magnus explains Morgan has turned her venom-blast power against her, using it to keep her out. Willing to risk it to live again, Jessica asks Magnus to cast the spell, with neither realizing Morgan le Fey was watching--and ready to take Jessica's body for herself!

There's more than a little exposition this issue, a lot of set-up for the next, but still some decent character beats. Some years back, we checked out the Marvel Two-In-One issue where Spider-Woman lost her "immunity factor," and she's on her way to losing her venom blasts here. In 1988 she would be back in Wolverine, as private investigator Jessica Drew, with short hair and down to wall-crawling powers, I think. I don't recall her getting a lot of play, though; her resurgence was still a few years--and another Spider-Woman or two--away.
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The collected Spider-people were remarkably co-operative for this one! Usually, somebody'll take a header, and knock out a ton besides; but they actually stayed put until the next morning. Here's another angle:

I put Spider-Man 3 on Netflix and sorted my assorted Spidey figures, spare heads and hands, into a bigger bin. Aside from a few multiples, I think I got all of them in there, except for the old costume Spider-Woman. Got the new one half-off from GameStop last week, which got me a hair closer to finishing the Lizard. And I need to take a look, but I think she has the same head as Mockingbird, but with black hair and different colored shades; a trick Hasbro does every so often that works pretty well.
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"Networking."

So, apparently when we aren't looking, it's straight up Marvel Team-Up starring the Black Cat and whoever she needs to work with to steal crap. That and this is a fun way to work in a bunch of recent figures.

Also, Batman's grappling hook in the Animated Series is basically magic. There, I said it.

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Superman's been saved by Captain Carrot and the Zoo Crew before, but I still feel like this one has to sting.

Superman, Wonder Woman, and the Flash have been captured by a rogue Russian general and his keyboard-playing newly-minted super-villain brother, the Maestro. Who could save them now? Maybe Aquaman, Zatanna, the Martian Manhunter, Elongated Man--and their new Justice League of America! From 1985, Justice League of America #238, "Savage Symphony" Written by Gerry Conway, pencils by Chuck Patton, inks by Mike Machlan.

The new JLA fly into Russia to save them, with Steel and Vixen musing over the commentary from when they came onto the team: "'How can four second-stringers and three neophytes hope to replace even one Superman?" (An interesting criticism, since it would be several years before Supes would be a major part of the League again.) Vixen notes some people are just afraid of change. After Zatanna and the Manhunter get them past the Russian jets, Gypsy suggests a sneak-attack: coming in from the frozen river. It works fairly well, until the Maestro's synthezier plays up some sonic-created robots and turns the tide. The new JLA could be just as doomed as the old one, until a deaf Russian dissident sacrifices his life to smash the synthezier. Gypsy uses her power in an unexpected way on the general, making him think he was high above a canyon and about to fall to his death.

As the team wraps up, Superman approaches Aquaman to discuss the League headquarters, since I think the satellite was being phased out at this time. This is a pretty traditional 'changing of the guard' kind of story, but it almost feels like the new guys still weren't given enough to do. In fact, there's a far bit of space devoted to Vixen: her paying perhaps too much attention to J'onn, her upcoming bad guy/boomerang enthusiast General Maksai, and how Zatanna just doesn't like her.
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The comic might be a spoiler, but you have to go to the movie to get it. Or see some here, I guess.

I took both my sons to go see Venom on Saturday: I had some free tickets, then sprung for the upcharge to 3D, which may not be 100% necessary. (I think about halfway through a 3D feature I've already forgotten about the gimmick!) And we also received this little freebie Venom comic, written by Sean Ryan, art by Szymon Kudranski, color art by Ian Herring.

The reviews were between middling and dire, but for basically free? Not bad. I know Sony probably figured they would get more return with a PG-13 instead of an R rating, but it feels a bit sanitized. There are a few scenes should be just dripping with gore, and aren't. This version of Eddie Brock is far more likeable than he ever was in the comics; and the symbiote is more personable as well: Venom could have easily been a horror movie, but instead they went with buddy action flick. Which is a perfectly valid choice and even entertaining, but...man, a straight-up horror version would have been something, wouldn't it? I know Sony is trying to get Morbius going for a movie, and it raises the question of how far they might be willing to take that, or if the Living Vampire will, in the same vein, be cleaned up.

Venom's internal dialog, between Eddie and the symbiote, made me think they stole Deathlok's old bit, since he used to argue with his onboard computer constantly. (There was a version of Deathlok in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. but I don't think it got into that.) Or, check out the Bruce Campbell classic, Man With the Screaming Brain! I had to look it up later, but Tom Hardy also did the symbiote's voice, so good for him.

It did make me kinda wish I had sprung for the Monster Venom Build-a-Figure; but Carnage, Poison, and Shriek Scream have disappeared locally. My drawer of BAF pieces is filling up...
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Hopefully not spoiling your next trip to Wal-Mart.

In 2012 we looked at Stephanie Brown's last issue as Batgirl, yet as Spoiler we've only seen her once on the blog, in Secret Origins 80-Page Giant #1. And yet today we have her new figure!

Mattel's distribution or sales plan or whatever continues to be somewhat inexplicable and baffling to me: I swear there were just about no DC Multiverse figures released this year until we got Two-Face last month. (I know the Clayface series may have shown in other areas...maybe.) This week, Spoiler and Harley Quinn showed up at Walmart; where they may be exclusive? And they're part of a variant for the Collect & Connect Lex Luthor? It's Lex in the armor with the Superman-logo that he wore as part of the Justice League, and Spoiler came with a Lex-Darkseid head while Harley comes with a Mother Box. (Harley gets more accessories, but I didn't grab her yet: I don't love her modern look.) And the rest of that Luthor's parts are coming out until later, I guess. Meanwhile, not unlike Walgreen's Fantastic Four Thing, there were several Spoilers and Harley's at this Wal-Mart...as well as another case of Justice League figures, for some reason. What are you doing, Mattel...?

They call Spoiler "the Violet Vindicator" on the package, which I hope is never ever used in the comics. She's a nice figure: good articulation, paint was good on mine, I like that she has flat boots! She only gets one accessory for herself, a three-part staff. Still, not unlike last week's FF, this figure makes me wonder if I have a decent Tim Drake Robin! I don't know if any writer played with this, but Tim was a planner, more tactical than the other Robins; while Steph works best as Spoiler, someone who wrecks plans. It would be tempting to really lean into making that her thing, almost a monomania like her dad Cluemaster had for leaving clues. Hmm, I know a local Walgreens has a couple of the basic Robin figures, and I thought those might make a decent Tim, maybe.


I really doubt I'm going to finish Lex, but I wonder if this head would fit on the New 52 Darkseid. And I haven't made any headway on Clayface, and I won't until a Jessica Cruz turns up.

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A very surprising dollar bin find from Entertainmart: from 1988, Incredible Hulk #340, "Vicious Circle" Written by Peter David, art by Todd McFarlane. It wasn't a completely mint copy, but not bad. Maybe better than the one I've had for thirty years!

This is the grey Hulk's rematch with Wolverine, but there was more going on here: for instance, Dallas is hit by a snow storm, and the X-Men are on their way there possibly to die, in the Fall of the Mutants. The Leader asks a hypnotized U.S. general where the country's newly minted gamma bombs are being kept, and Betty Ross compares her and Bruce to "two ships passing in the night" and wonders if she can break the cycle. And David writes a pretty solid Wolverine: he was trying so hard to restrain his berserker rages, but man they came in handy sometimes.

The new rules for the grey Hulk are largely set up here as well: although smaller and less strong than the green Hulk had been, Wolvie realizes the Hulk had a healing factor not unlike his own. But made of cancer. That was novel at the time: aside from Wolvie, not everybody had a healing factor back then. I don't think this was the first time we see the Hulk's blood as green, but we see a lot of it this issue. (Presumably because it's gamma-irradiated, not copper-based like Spock's!)

I bought this off the spinner rack, but didn't start reading Hulk regularly until #345, McFarlane's last issue. And I would keep reading, up until Peter David's last issue.
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