Captain Savage #11 - Marvel Comics

CAPTAIN SAVAGE No. 11, February 1968

Considering that this title was actually “a spin-off of the series Sgt. Fury And His Howling Commandos”, it was probably somewhat brave of Gary Friedrich to pen a storyline concerning both military units working together against the Imperial Japanese Army so early on in the comic’s run. Indeed, considering that the book’s “Sound Off To Savage” Letters Page even contains a reader’s complaint that the Raiders are far too like Dum Dum Duggan’s comrades-in-arms, “Death Of A Leatherneck” could easily have come across as a bemusing mass of numerous, similar-sounding soldiers, with many a bibliophile soon becoming confused as to just what regiment each combatant originates from; “So all I can say is that I hope you meatheads remember what you’ve been told!”

Happily however, Nick Fury’s men predominantly take a back seat for this particular twenty-page periodical, allowing the audience to follow Captain Savage’s seemingly suicidal mission to fight his way past torpedo boats, heavily-armed enemy machine-gun posts and a plethora of partially-hidden infantrymen in order to reach “a castle on a Japanese stronghold island.” These action sequences are arguably a ton of fun, if not rather far-fetched, and allow the co-creator of Ghost Rider to provide many of the cast with some unique, if not a little stereotypical, personality.

Furthermore, there can be no disputing the impact of a narrative which ultimately kills off one of the central protagonists, especially when it is done just as the nail-biting battle appears to have died down. True, the fact that one of the Leathernecks is going to meet their end is telegraphed straight from this publication’s cover illustration. But the question as to just who will die is never divulged until the very panel in which it occurs, and even then there is a clever misdirection just beforehand.

Delivering plenty of ‘bang for your buck’ is legendary artist Dick Ayers, whose ability to imbue every square-jawed squaddie with a modicum of nervous anxiety as to their ongoing predicament, adds a genuine sense of peril to the proceedings. There can surely be absolutely no doubt to any onlooker that many a death-dealing bullet is zinging its way towards the heroes, and even reaches the point where an occasional panel probably had more than the well-pencilled figures in this book inadvertently ducking for cover.

Scripter: Gary Friedrich, Penciller: Dick Ayers, and Inker: Syd Shores

Sgt. Flag #3 - G-Man Comics

SGT. FLAG No. 3, October 2023

For those comic book fans who want to simply enjoy a titular character essentially going on a twenty-page killing spree then Rik Offenberger’s narrative for Issue Three of “Sgt. Flag” should definitely fit their bill, courtesy of Rob McFarlane’s solo suicide mission aboard an alien spacecraft. True, this publication doesn’t resultantly contain too much in character development for the “one-man extraction team”. But it does rather delightfully depict a super-hero who for once actually “enjoys the violence as much as the reader does”, and quite novelly relishes the challenge of facing almost certain death too.

Furthermore, in between the high octane action sequences and increasing extra-terrestrial body count, this periodical does quite surprisingly still manage to show some deeper insights into its secondary cast – most notably Christopher Squires, who genuinely appears to care for the smart-mouthed gunslinger so much that he actually attempts to persuade Flag into refusing Simon N. Kirby’s assignment. Indeed, considering just how loyal the F.B.I. operative has been to the G-Men’s leader in past storylines, his sudden willingness to rebel against his boss' wishes produces a genuinely shocking moment.

Of course, all eyes will predominantly focus upon McFarlane’s desperate attempt to reach both the space invader’s hangar and engine room, before facing the disconcertingly mysterious Alien Singularity who kidnapped Atomik Bombshell. This series of head-long “Bonsai!” battles does not disappoint, with the protagonist impressively utilising all manner of man-made firearms and witty wisecracks, as well as the little yellow spacemen’s own advanced weaponry, against his would-be assailants; “More bugs! And it’s not even my birthday!”

Ultimately, such an intense rodeo of a ride in a comic debatably lives or dies on the quality of its artwork, and Gilbert Monsanto's dynamic drawings do not disappoint. There’s a palpable energy to the freelancer’s pencilling which really adds to such instances as Sgt. Flag’s less than subtle infiltration of the UFO, the visible concern Agent Squires has for his comrade-in-arms, and even the draining physical cost to Mummy Girl’s utterly exhausting teleportation tricks. In fact, the illustrator’s double-splash of Rob gunning, kicking and crushing his abundant foes simultaneously is well worth the cover price of this book alone.

Written by: Rik Offenberger, Art by: Gilbert Monsanto, and Letters by: Mike W. Belcher

Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt: #2 - Marvel Comics

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: BLOOD HUNT No. 2, August 2024

Considering that Justina Ireland’s handling of Theocritus and his decidedly dodgy dealings running Hemoglobin Incorporated are arguably far more entertaining than Spider-Man’s seemingly endless excursion through the vampire-filled streets of New York City, it’s probably safe to assume that Issue Two of “Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt” didn’t land quite so well on the spinner-rack as perhaps its publisher had hoped. Indeed, so much of this mini-series’ rather intriguing exposition occurs within the walls of T.J.’s experimental laboratories that many a bibliophile doubtless found themselves a little frustrated whenever the spotlight shifts upon the titular character instead.

Much of this irritation is debatably due to Peter Parker’s somewhat tedious, self-indulgent doubts as to whether he should even be hurting the fanged-fiends stalking his not-so-friendly neighbourhood. The super-hero readily acknowledges that the massive undead horde will “hurt more people” the longer their battle goes on for. Yet still somehow manages to persuade the much less idealistic mercenary Misty Knight that the “ravenous throng” of killers shouldn’t be harmed; “I’ve been thinking about what you said… especially since I know these were innocent people.”

Furthermore, the action is suddenly brought to a surprising full-stop by its “New York Times Bestselling author” unconvincingly introducing the audience to Beyond Corporation’s former Chief Executive Officer - Maxine Danger. True, the capable young businesswoman’s presence is crucial to give Spider-Man a means of ‘defeating’ Theocritus, courtesy of a convenient computer virus which should “erase all of the networked data” and halt the vampiric company's chemical-based shenanigans. But considering just how deadly the Big Apple is supposed to currently be due to its undead invasion, it’s a little difficult to believe a non-powered entrepreneur, no matter how rich or influential, is able to successfully drive around the densely populated metropolis with just two bodyguards for protection.

Slightly more successful than its writing, is this comic’s artwork by Marcelo Ferreira and Chris Campana. This twenty-page periodical’s pencilling is very good at depicting the athletic prowess of Web-head as he somersaults around Central Park gluing down as many Nosferatu as his unblessed web fluid will allow. However, the attention to detail on the Lizard, especially the villain’s snout when sketched from any distance, is rather indistinct and lacking – leading to Doctor Curt Connor’s alter-ego actually seeming to be unfinished in some panels.

Writer: Justina Ireland, and Pencilers: Marcelo Ferreira & Chris Campana