LOGAN’S RUN #4

“Enter the Eternal Ice-World of Box!”

Writer: David Kraft adapted from screenplay by David Zelag Goodman

Artists: George Perez and Klaus Janson

Logan and Jessica find themselves in a mysterious ice cavern of Box. Box a crazy robot starts to sculpt both Jessica and Logan in ice. They find that the runners that came before were frozen by the crazy Box. Seems it has a job to freeze food for the city. A fight ensues and thankfully unlike the other runners, Logan has a pistol. It damages Box’s sculptures and drives the robot to depression. It also collapses the ceiling on Box.

The two make their way to the surface and see the sun for the first time. They explore the forest and come on the ruins of a city. It is Washington D.C., and they see the Lincoln Memorial. Then they go to the Capital and find an old man. This man is a bit senile and has many cats but is friendly. They contemplate staying there when Francis shows and takes Jessica hostage.

This was another enjoyable part of the movie adaptation. My favorite part of the movie is when they discover Washington. Don’t get much on the history because the old guy they meet is off his rocker. Also the only thing different from the film was Box is shown to be a sculpture which is why he is so upset when his birds get destroyed. Personally, I see why they cut out the sculpting of Jessica and Logan. A bit unrealistic and over the top.

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #214

“The Reign of Thulandra Thuu”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Ernie Chan

King Conan is in his early reign as king of Aquilonia. Yet already he faces opposition to his reign. Thulandra Thuu the evil sorcerer that worked with King Numedides is back. He plots to take over the throne. During a hunt Conan manages to kill a wild boar. Then a metal horse attacks him and drives him into the river. The rest of the hunting party comes and Conan crawls out of the river.

Only there is change to him. He starts to act like a tyrant. He arrests a minstrel and sentences him to death. He then also sentences his trusted friends and the Nemedian ambassador to death. Only it is Thulandra Thuu in disguise. The real Conan escaped and washes ashore quite conveniently by Thulandra’s camp. He is rescued by Alcina the woman who once tried to poison him during the rebellion. She was exiled but decides to help Conan and betray Thulandra. Conan makes it to the palace and successfully decapitates Thulandra.

“Blood and Ice: An Account of the Lost Conan Film.”

By Charles Alexander Piltdown

Piltdown bought the desk belonging to producer Willis O’Brian. O’Brian was the producer behind King Kong. In it was an outline and some concept artwork for a Conan film. It was envisioned as a big budget epic but probably was abandoned after Howard’s death.

This series takes a break from the novel adaptation to give us a story about Thulandra Thuu. He was a sorcery that managed to escape, and Thomas gives us a story to fill in what happened later. An interesting story that had some beautiful full-page artwork by Chan.

What was really interesting was a proposed Conan film back in the thirties. I would have loved to see that. It does sound like it had a very pessimistic ending. Probably because at this time Howard’s mother was dying and he was in a very dark place. If he only lived, you have to wonder where Conan could have gone.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #243

“Dawn of the Death Gods”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artists: Gary Hartle and Mike DeCarlo

Conan wakes up and finds himself back with Belit and the Black Corsairs. He decides that her death was a dream and embraces her being alive. They attack a Stygian ship and Belit and the Corsairs attack Conan. It is revealed this is an illusion by the demon Jaggta-Noga. Conan finds himself tied up to be tortured for centuries by the demon.

Conan manages to break free and jump through a portal back to Earth. He ends up at the wedding of El-Ron and Red Sonja. Sonja joins Conan in fighting the guards for she was hired by Karanthes to kill El-Ron. Conan kills him but Zukala brings him back to life as a zombie. Fortunately, Conan manages to kill him again and Zukala’s plan is defeated. Conan and Red Sonja go to join the army of Khoraja to fight Nahtok.

The final entry to the three parts The Sorcerer and the She-Devil comes to a satisfactory conclusion. Conan escapes the demon Jaggta-Noga. Red Sonja is not a mindless puppet but just faking it to kill El-Ron. Plus, we get a little more nostalgia with Belit and the Black Corsairs. I really love Roy Thomas stories, and this was a good start to his triumphant return.

UNBREAKABLE RED SONJA #4

“Untitled”

Writer: Jim Zub

Artist: Adrian M. Garcia

The mysterious woman who was getting this power source transports back to the beginning of time. She kills all the other gods and sets herself up as supreme. Back in the present both Sonjas are attacked by the demon. They also get attacked by the fanatical worshippers. The young girl Sonja manages to take the high priest hostage. This stops the demon, but the young Sonja kills the high priest. This brings the goddess Tendra. She kills the young Sonja which also kills the older version. Red Sonja then wakes up with what looks like her mother still alive.

This issue we get some more insight on the mysterious woman. Looks like she managed to set herself up as the goddess for all humanity. Now all the world worships her with a fanaticism. Both Sonjas get killed but apparently are transported to another reality. I am enjoying Zub’s story and look forward to finding out the mysteries he established.

RED SONJA HELL SONJA #3

“Untitled”

Writer: Jordan Clark

Artist: Miriana Puglia

Hell Sonja is a prisoner of the demons. They have her on a surgical table and a beak demon cuts a baby out of her. Hell Sonja, then has visons of all her possible lives. She finally comes face to face with the void and gets tossed in. Red Sonja rescues her, and they kill all the demons. Both Sonjas decide they must go back to Hell to stop the Void.

This was a weird issue. It focused mostly on Hell Sonja this time. We get some very psychedelic visons which I have to admit are interesting. A strange story but I do admit I am interested in seeing how it ends.

LOGAN’S RUN #3

“Sanctuary!?”

Writer: Dave Kraft

Artist: George Perez

Logan and Jessica go to the New You Shop for Logan to get a new face. This is also a place for runners to get a new identity. Only the doctor has orders to kill Logan and sets the lasers on the operating table to do just that. Logan manages to escape, and the doctor is killed. His friend Frances comes, and Logan and Jessica are forced to flee. Jessica takes Logan to the underground rebel base. The rebels are ready to kill Logan and Jessica until the nurse from the New You arrives. She confirms that Logan is indeed a runner and was pursued by another sandman. Unfortunately, Logan triggers his locator and the sandmen attack. Logan and Jessica make it to the entrance to Sanctuary. Francis follows and shoots a water tank which floods the area. Logan and Jessica are washed to an elevator that takes them to a cold place. A place run by the robot Box.

This installment follows the movie for the most part. It does have them tell the nurse and doctor at the New You right away they are runners. Also has the nurse more open in her argument for Logan and Jessica to be spared. I enjoy seeing what is probably minor changes that were done to the original script. Another good installment to this movie adaptation.

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #213

“Death Has Four Corners”

Writer: Roy Thomas adapted from Conan and the Gods of the Mountain by Roland Green

Artist: Rafael Kayanan

Conan and Valeria are prisoners of the Ichiribu and must past three of the four tests to prove they are indeed spirits. The first the spear toss is easily won by Conan. He does lose the one to spear the most fang fish. Valeria wins the canoe race, and the final test is in a ring. Suspended above is a contraption that will rain spiked balls when you hit your foot on the mat. Conan wins this while Valeria survives an assassination attempt.

“Conan File Cover Story”

By Sue Chan

Pictures by Jim Hoston

An article on Jim Hoston the cover artist for this issue. He used professional models to pose for him. We get a brief look at what went into this.

“Thief in the Night”

Writer: Don Kraar

Artist: Dave Simons

In Zamora a young woman taunts Conan into stealing from the local prince. Conan enters the treasure room at night and finds one of the harem girls chained up as some sort of punishment. She seduces Conan and gives him directions to get out. Conan ducks into a room to escape the guards and finds himself in the harem. The girls are desperate for a real man and ravish Conan all night. He goes back and is too tired for the young woman. This woman gets angry and steals all the jewels that Conan stole but Conan is too tired to do anything about it.

“Daughter of the Western Sea”

Writer: Doug Murray

Artists: Andrea Coates and Sandu Florea

Conan is a second mate on a pirate ship when they find a beautiful young woman floating on a raft. The captain and first mate are killed during the night, and it is revealed the woman is a sea creature. Conan and the crew set it on fire.

“Conan File Barbarian Banquet”

Served by Jim Neal, Chef

An article on the various foods and drink of the Hyborean Age. Goes into the various agriculture and hunting. Along with the more exotic and cannibalism of the time.

“Conscience of the King”

Writer: Charles Dixon

Artists: Eliot Brown and Armando Gil

Serpent men are laying siege to the City of Wonders. Kull has to still deal with the petty intrigues of court and gets the idea to leave. While looking for a way out he meets a blind young girl. She has confidence in Kull saving the city. Kull decides to stay and leads his army to victory.

This issue was filled with a variety of stuff. The main story continues on and gets more interesting. The three backup stories were equally enjoyable. We get a mixture of stories, but each had some excellent artwork and amusing plots. The two articles were also interesting and informative.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #242

“They Came to Castle Zukala”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artists: Gary Hartle and Mike DeCarlo

Conan, Sonja and Karanthes come to Castle Zukala and meet the new lord. Elron is a charming and handsome young man. At dinner Conan finds out that he met Sonja while traveling to the castle. She saved him from bandits. He fell in love and challenged her to a duel. A duel he won, and she agreed to marry him because of her vows. Conan gets Sonja angry, and they fight. Sonja demands that Conan leave and he does. Only Conan sneaks back because he doesn’t trust Elron. He finds out that Elron is the son of Zukala. Zukala is a minor god and mind controls Sonja. His plan is to be reborn as the son of Sonja and Elron. The demon Jaggta-Noga comes and captures Conan. Elron gives Conan to the demon who plans to take him back to his dimension to torture.

The second issue gives us some more backstory. We learn that Elron is the son of Zukala. Zukala is a minor god who didn’t die the last time he met Conan. We find out why Sonja is marrying Elron. Ends with a cliffhanger of Conan being captured and sent to a demon dimension. A fun story with some more nostalgia from the early days.

UNBREAKABLE RED SONJA #3

“Untitled”

Writer: Jim Zub

Artists: Giovanni Valletta and Adrian M. Garcia

The woman with the magical Antiquiem continues to try and unlock its powers. Red Sonja and her younger self continue on their journey to the city of Lhasir. Adult Sonja falls off the horse from her wounds and has to be patched up by young Sonja. The horse runs away, and they continue on foot. They reach the city and Red Sonja is surprised to see it has grown so much. The city guards accost them and when they can’t properly respond to the religious greeting threaten death. Young Sonja stabs one and they have to kill the guards. Red Sonja takes a uniform, and they infiltrate the city. At the temple they see a ceremony that brings the demon that is stalking them. This demon senses the Sonjas and attacks.

Another interesting installment to this story. Adult Sonja was hoping to find answers in this city. She saved a priests live once. Unfortunately, the city is now a very stick religious theocracy. One that apparently worships the demon that is after them. An interesting story.

RED SONJA HELL SONJA #2

“Untitled”

Writer: Jordan Clark

Artist: Miriana Puglia

Red Sonja, Hell Sonja and Warrick are battling demons. A blood blizzard comes up and forces them to find shelter. They find a house and barricade themselves inside. The three split up to search the place. Red Sonja gets visions of her family as demons. She runs away and into Kulan Gath. Kulan explains Hell Sonja woke up Zhaogeth the Black Void. Now it will destroy the universe. Sonja then wakes up as a queen about to officiate at her daughter’s wedding.

The story is taking an interesting turn. The three are forced into a big mansion. There they split up and have to face their own demons. We explore Red Sonja’s and get a little exposition on the big enemy. I like the part of Hell Sonja having problems adjusting to a human body. A good story with potential.