CONAN THE BARBARIAN #260

“The Second Coming of Shuma-Gorath”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artists: Mike Docherty and Ricardo Villagran

Shuma-Gorath has been released. Kulan Gath and Vammatar manage to bring it under control. Then they use their powers to sweep Conan, Rann and Shon off the mountain. They manage though to grab on a ledge. Hobb comes at the last second and manages to rescue them. Only Shuma-Gorath is not under control. He sends out images to all around of his past. He ruled men in the primeval times when humans were primitive. He thrived on the blood sacrifices and wars. Then one day a shaman appears with the iron bound books. They imprison him and now he is free. Shuma-Gorath destroys Kulan Gath and Vammatar. Conan takes the books and tosses them into a storm which makes Shuma-Gorath disappear.

Finally, we get Shuma-Gorath. He is a fearsome Cthulhu like demon. The ending was a bit of a letdown. Sort of Ok just destroy the book and Shuma-Gorath is defeated. Still, I enjoyed this issue. I have enjoyed this storyline greatly. We revisited some old villains. Conan also met some old friends. He went back to Cimmeria and destroyed Shuma-Gorath. I gather Shuma-Gorath has made other appearances in the Marvel universe. He was in a Dr. Strange story. A satisfying ending to a long story and look forward to new adventures for Conan.

DEJAH THORIS #6

“Untitled”

Writer: Chuck Brown

Artist: Emiliana Pinna

The maneaters are destroying the village of the Kangaroo men. There is a three-way fight between the maneaters, the Kaldanes and the green men. This inspires the king to join in the defense with his people and son. The Kaldanes and maneaters are destroyed and the Kaldane Moak is pissed. He drags all the inhabitants of Helium out to tell them there is no hope.

Well, the last issue was a big nothing burger. I mean nothing really happened. It ended on this note of a big final battle. I assume the writer hopes for another series to resolve it. Personally, I could care less if he gets one. This was a dull and uninspiring series. I hope they find someone who can do the character justice for the next series.

WORLD WAR 3 #3

“Raid on Tokyo Part 3”

Writer & Artist: Motofumi Kobayashi

The Soviets continue to consolidate their hold in Tokyo. The KGB is already getting a list together of prominent Japanese that need to be executed. The Japanese AirForce is low on fuel and the army still low on ammunition. The only good news is they managed to safely evacuate the emperor. The general staff have to evacuate. The Soviets start to use chemical weapons. They also massacre civilians that get in the way.

This issue things just keep going downhill for the Japanese Self Defense Force. Low on fuel and ammunition. Constantly retreating. The Soviets ruthlessly consolidate their hold. Another very realistic and exciting issue.

THE EXECUTIONER #4

“The Devil’s Tools #4”

Writer: Doug Wojtowicz

Artist: SL Gallant

BATF agent Meghan Nye has been kidnapped by the Steel Border Cartel. She is bait to lure Bolan away from a major arms shipment. Only Bolan goes after the ship carrying the arms. He lands by helicopter and sinks the vessel. Then he goes to the HQ where Nye is being held. Meanwhile Nye is about to get raped but manages to steal a fork and kill her would be rapist. Mack Bolan comes just in time to rescue her, and they prepare to take out the cartel.

This was an enjoyable issue. There is some interesting interaction with Nye and the Russian Strakhov to give us an idea that the guy is a pure scumbag. Nye proves herself very resourceful. Bolan manages to multitask and take out the arms shipment and get to the compound to rescue Nye. All coming to an exciting conclusion next issue.

EPIC ILLUSTRATED #13

“Weirdworld: Conjurations of Crystal”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artists: John Buscema and Marie Severin

Tyndall, Velanna, Mud Butt and Wulfbuck ride dragons to fight the final battle with Black Majister on the Island of the Dead. Majister is actually a dark god who has come to Weirdworld. He raises an army of goblins that he recently killed. A big fight ensues with Velanna turning against Tyndall after being taken over by the wizard. The sorceress is also killed. Yet the love the two main protagonists feel inspires them to new power and they defeat Majister. The women come alive and the two elves and Mudd Butt continue on their way.

“In the Heart of the City”

Writer: Margaret Gallagher

Artist: James Romberger

Some thugs in the city find a ball of power in an apartment.

“Rites of Spring”

Writer and Artist: Arthur Suydam

Cholly and Flytrap two aliens on some alien world battle an opposing army.

“Bladerunner: Film into Comics”

Writer: Archie Goodwin

Artists: Al Williamson and Carlos Garzon

An article on the upcoming comic adaptation of the movie Bladerunner with examples in black and white of the art.

“Abraxas and the Earthman: Last Supper”

Writer and Artist: Rick Veitch

John Isacc is invited to the captain’s table. There he eats whale meat, and his essence goes in search of Abraxas. Captain Rotwang will then kill him but the insect surgeons’ revolt and take him. The captain gets a glimpse from the insects that they have been manipulating events. Abraxas then shows up.

“Topaz”

Writer and Artist: Carl Potts

A frog hunts flying fairies.

“Fantasy between the Covers”

By Jo Duffy

An article on various graphic artwork collections available.

“Survival”

Writer & Artist: Pepe Moreno

In the future on a nuked-out Earth. A guy comes looking for a store of nutrient bars. He finds the guys he betrayed have turned into mutants and they kill and eat him.

“Gameview”

By Steven Grant

An article on religion in gaming.

“Grail”

Writer: Archie Goodwin

Artist: Mike Saenz

A knight and his squire search for the holy Grail. A witch lures the knight to his death.

“Mediaview”

By Dennis O’Neil

A review of the movies Matinee, Cat People and Silent Rage.

Another issue with a mixed bag. The ongoing Weirdworld and Abraxas are excellent. I also loved Survival. Otherwise, they others were a waste of time.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #259

“The Mountain Where Crom Dwells”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artists: Mike Docherty and Ricardo Villagran

Conan is ambushed by some men at the base of Crom’s mountain. They turn out to be survivors of his village. Conan convinces three of them to accompany him to the top of the mountain. While they continue on, they are ambushed by Aesir. They are led by an old acquaintance Rann Mjalsdatter when Conan served with the tribe. She has come there because the Hyberboreans have been active on their borders. She also agrees to accompany Conan.

Meanwhile Kulan Gath and Hobbs continue also to climb the mountain. They are ambushed by Vammatar and Hobbs gets knocked off. Kulan and Vammatar agree to a truce to join forces. Conan and his friends come along, and a fight ensues. Hobbs survives and finds the book of Shuma-Gorath. A force compels Hobbs to open the book and recite a spell. This spell frees Shuma-Gorath who is a huge monster.

We are getting close to the conclusion of the Second Coming of Shuma-Gorath. Finally, Shuma-Gorath has come, and he is a fearsome monster. We find that Conan’s tribe has survived, and we get reunited with another character from long ago. This has been an interesting story so far and looking forward to the big final confrontation next issue.

DEJAH THORIS #5

“Untitled”

Writer: Chuck Brown

Artist: Emiliana Pinna

Dejah has been given a Malagor by the Kangaroo men chief’s son. She learns to use it against the maneaters attacking the village. We find out in a flashback that a brave warrior named Damas arranged for this. Damas is apparently a traitor to Helium and part of the coup that installed the Kaldanes. There is some talking with Rroos and the chief about the cowardices of the Kangaroo men. The Kaldanes arrive using white apes but find that Dejah has allied with the green men.

This issue was just one big mess. The guy who writes it is clearly not a good writer. Stuff goes on and we have no idea why. There is all this stuff happening including the alliance with the green men which just happened for some reason. Introducing some new character that is a traitor but also helping Dejah. This is not going to be a good series.

WORLD WAR 3 #2

“Raid on Tokyo Part 2”

Writer & Artist: Motofumi Kobayashi

The Soviets have landed unopposed. The government has declared the JSDF of staging a coup and have requested Soviet assistance. Assistance they are more than happy to provide. The army is running out of ammo and bureaucratic roadblocks hamper resupply. Luckily the Americans left their ammo at the bases when they left. Two airborne assaults are launched to capture parliament and government buildings. One by the Japanese and the other by the Soviets. The Soviets are successful. They continue to advance with little opposition.

This issue is looking grim for the JSDF. The government has turned on them. They are low on ammo and moral. A bright stop was the Americans left ammo at their abandoned bases. A fun and exciting series.

THE EXECUTIONER #3

“The Devil’s Tools #3”

Writer: Doug Wojtowicz

Artist: SL Gallant

The aftermath of the shootout has left casualties, including a cop. This disturbs Bolan but he continues his war against the Steel Border Cartel. He is also developing feelings for the BATF agent Nye. Only through flashbacks to his past tragedies do we see how he wants to avoid any future relationship. Bolan’s continuing assaults on the cartel are taking a serious toll. The cartel kidnaps the BATF agent and hope to lure Bolan into a trap.

This issue we get a look into Bolan’s past and present. He has Stony Man Farm and its experts to back him up. We get a look into past tragedies. There is a love interest for him. The writer clearly knows the history of Bolan. Sets up another big action sequence for next issue.

EPIC ILLUSTRATED #12

“Weirdworld: The Dark Stratagem”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artists: John Buscema and Marie Severin

Tyndall, Velanna and Mud Butt have met the sorceress of Skyhook Mountain. She tells them they must find Wulfbuck. Her sorcery transports them to a tavern where they find him. He was turned into a wolfman and his power sword Glorywand was destroyed. Mud Butt has the hilt and an appearance from the sorceress motivates Wulfbuck to help. They go to the ice caves where the blade is located. A dragon comes and helps them out.

“Bookview”

By Jo Duffy

A review of God Emperor of Dune by Frank Herbert. She really loved it.

“Small Gifts”

Writer & Artist: Jon Jay Muth

A young dead girl gives her parents a gift of a pegasus.

“Pursuit”

Writer & Artist: Jon Jay Muth

A warrior battles a giant snake and bear.

“Marada the She-Wolf: Royal Hunt”

Writer: Christopher Claremont

Artist: John Bolton

Marada and Ari were transported to south Africa. While making their way home, they get recruited into a mercenary army fighting a rebellion against the queen of Meroe in East Africa. They get captured by the queen and forced to be hunted by her. Only Marada defeats her and a group of rebellious mercenaries.

“Abraxas and the Earthman: The Hunt”

Writer & Artist: Rick Veitch

John Isaac and his fellow Earthman who had his head removed have made a deal with Captain Rotwang. He will help track down Abraxas a whale who took the captain’s leg. In exchange they will be restored and returned to Earth.

“The Transition”

Writer: Bruce Sakow

Artist: Gerald Slater

A woman dies in a car accident and gets reincarnated as a baby chick.

“Gameview”

By Steve Grant

An article on the rise of censorship in games and a review of Pac Man.

“The World According to Wolverton”

By Ron Goulart

An article on the works of artist Basil Wolverton.

“Spacehawk: The Superhuman Enemy of Crime”

Writer & Artist: Basil Wolverton

Police officers for Pluto are captured by a pirate city. Spacehawk rescues one and transfers his brain into a giant beast so he can get his revenge. The cop then leads the jungle animals to the city and destroys it.

“Cabin Fever”

Writer & Artist: Ralph Reese

A husband and wife are stranded in space after the Earth blows itself up.

“To Slay a Dragon”

Writer & Artist: Zoran Vanjaka

A mercenary is hired to assassinate someone passing around art. He finds it is a robot.

Another issue and once again the main stories are excellent. Weirdworld, Marada and Abraxas continue to entertain. Otherwise, the stories are very forgettable. The article is also boring.