Ads: Aztec Ace

I've been working my way through a small pile of old independent comics, most of which are pretty disappointing. Every once in a while I'll see an ad for something that looks a bit more interesting, so I thought I'd scan some of them and post them here. First up: a neat Aztec Ace ad from the back cover of Eclipse Comics' The Masked Man #2 (02/85).

I have a copy of the third issue of Aztec Ace in my to-read pile. I hope it's as awesome as it looks!

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

This one will be going on next year's Christmas wish-list!

Merry Christmas to all!

Random Review: Action Comics #809

"Creeping Death" by Joe Kelly, Pasqual Ferry, Cam Smith and Andy Owens.

Clark Kent and Lois Lane are on a Caribbean cruise catering solely to journalists; also present is television host Jack Ryder, accompanied by two female companions. Ryder is later found dead, followed by one of his companions and a former rival. As the body count rises, Clark Kent becomes the prime suspect.

I didn't like it, and the main reason why I didn't like it is the way the main characters behave: Jack Ryder is an asshole of monumental proportions, so different from the crusading television host of the Ditko era as to be virtually unrecognisable, while Clark Kent's occasional bitchiness seems completely out of character. Also, the setup felt rather contrived.

The only other story by Joe Kelly that I can remember reading is Superman/Batman Annual #1 which was also set on a cruise ship. I didn't like that one either, and for similar reasons.

Awesome Cover: The Avengers #57

The Vision debuts in dramatic style on the cover of The Avengers #57, by John Buscema. The decision to colour it entirely in shades of red was a bold one, but the result is startlingly effective.

Awesome Cover: Marvel 1602 #1

Every one of Scott McKowen's Marvel 1602 covers is a masterpiece, but the cover of issue one is a particular favourite. It's a shame that Scott McKowen didn't do the interior art as well.

Random Review: Challengers of the Unknown #87

"Twelve Million Years to Twilight" by Carla & Gerry Conway, Keith Giffen and John Celardo, cover by Alex Saviuk and Dick Giordano.

In this issue the Challengers of the Unknown, along with Deadman and Swamp Thing, have travelled to the distant future to stop the tyrannical Sunset Lords from dumping monstrous mutant creatures in the present.

This was the last issue of the Challengers of the Unknown, so it's perhaps understandable that Carla & Gerry Conway's story feels a little hurried. What's less understandable is why pages are wasted on a mindless fight scene and a cross-section of Challenger Mountain when more important events are shown in a few cramped panels. Keith Giffen and John Celardo's art is similar to Carmine Infantino's, but less quirky and interesting.

Awesome Cover: Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #125

Jimmy Olsen acts like a callous shit on the cover of Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #125, by Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson.