Arrow Comics Reviews
by Anthony Van Pyre and Jerry Seward
I myself welcome the return of Arrow Comics to the publishing business. I love independent comics. They do stuff the Big 2 (or is it Big 3 now with Dark Horse?) won't do. It's where the real interesting stories are coming from and Arrow always delivered that in the past.
It's also nice that it's right here in Michigan (POWER STAR's base of operations) and at least one of the Arrow comic's first issue was set in Michigan, at least for a little bit of it. That comic was THE REALM.
There are comics like DEADWORLD, Arrow's zombie book, and THE REALM, a wonderful fantasy adventure that all roleplayers would surely enjoy.
Ah, but I digress. I'd like to thank Scott R. Moore of Galaxy Comics for supplying me with my review copies of DARK OZ 1 and ARROW ANTHOLOGY 1. Thanks, Scott. By the way, that's GALAXY COMICS, whose catch phrase is "a Galaxy of comics and other infinitely cool stuff." They are located at 3089 Bay Plaza in Saginaw, Michigan, (517) 799-6334. In case you want to know when they are open, it's Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday 11-6, Wednesday and Friday 11-8, and Sunday 12-5.
Scott's the publisher for Arrow Comics and as I'm sure by reading the above, you can fathom I can't thank him enough as Arrow was always one of my favorite comic companies and OZ one of my favorite titles (I love THE WIZARD OF OZ).
There will be some spoilers here so when I say, "spoiler ahead," it's your choice to read. I'll put a "spoiler end," too.
DARK OZ picks up where the OZ series left off and is a perfect continuation. Bill Bryan is an excellent artist. I can only wonder what all this would look like in color but hey, I'm not complaining. Ralph Griffith and Stuart Kerr are excellent writers. There are some great lines in here as well as a few cute visual jokes. It's also a perfect place for new readers to start reading the series as there is a excellent 6-page recap of what has gone on before.
I'm hoping they bring in some of my other favorite OZ characters like Polychrome for instance and I can't wait to read WONDERLAND (it looks awesome). For more info on it, go to Arrow Comics' web site at:
Now on with the spoilers:
It's yet another wonderful issue and has got me wondering how they are going to resolve Dorothy's age spurt course now she has fell threw the mirror. I wonder where she is at. Also, the army of scarecrows is just killer. Stitch the Scarecrow's son??? Did I miss something? Did Scraps and him do the "Hanky Panky??" SPOILER END
There are so many places to go with this and is there a chance of an OZ/WONDERLAND crossover?? Come on, Randy or Scott, give me the inside scoop here. I can't wait to read issue 2.
How do I rank issue 1 of DARK OZ? It gets ***** out of 5. Perfect!!!
Now on to ARROW ANTHOLOGY. I'm going to do this story by story.
First, let me say that I usually enjoy anthologies. It's a wonderful way to showcase new talent and you can usually find a story you like.
So, on to the issue:
The first story is "The Fool on the Sill" (wonderful play of words there). It's by Randy Zimmerman (the head honcho himself), and Chris Theisen does the art.
It's an interesting story. I wonder if anything more is going to be done with the Fool character (who actually wears a nametag that says "FOOL"). He kinda reminds me somewhat of Marvel's Crazy Man. Interesting though, none the less. I wonder if any of the folks in the story were modeled after real people. I mean, some of them just look too good to be thought up, know what I mean? I give it *** out of 5 for a first story though it was GOOD.
The next story, "Jabberwocky," a tale of WONDERLAND, was adapted by Danny Wall and inked by Randy Zimmerman (again the head honcho himself). It's a adaption of the classic "Jabberwocky" tale. The art is good. I especially like the end scene though I'm hoping for more than this from WONDERLAND. I give it ** out of 5. Why only 2? Well, there are only so many ways you can adapt that story. I have seen the ad for WONDERLAND and maybe I was just expecting more from the adaptation. I don't know. I still plan on reading WONDERLAND, though.
The third story in ARROW ANTHOLOGY 1 is "Great Scott vs. the Hawg," created and written and drawn by Kirk Jarvinen, and Randy (do I even gotta mention his last name) Zimmerman inked and edited the story. This is a silly little superhero story kinda along the TICK vein. The way Great Scott looks is just too funny a character, a joke on all superheroes rugged, strong, etc etc. It's an amusing little read. I give it *** out of 5.
Next up, "Crimson and Clover," part one of a tale from THE NIGHT STREETS. Now this is more like it: a gritty, seedy, dark story and it's even got superheroes. WHOO HOO!! Excellent storyline, easy to follow, great art, female superheroes (chicks rule you know). Part 2 should be interesting when it comes out. It gets ***** out of 5. If you like stories gritty, this is one for you to read.
Finally, "Battle Bot vs. the Absorbeing," by Randy "You Know Him, You Love Him" Zimmerman, and Randy (not the chief cook and bottle washer ) Shilling did the art. This story kinda reminds me of the old comic BORIS THE BEAR (remember him??). It's funny. The art fits the story's feel. Battle Bot rules, with such lines like "Rosie's about to come on. She loves me you know?" and "If I miss Springer, I'll REALLY be pissed!" You can't help but love this 'bot. I can see this one maybe spinning off into its own title. It gets **** out of 5.
So what can I see getting its own title outta here? Well, maybe BATTLE BOT, definitely NIGHT STREETS, perhaps THE FOOL, though I don't know if he could fill a whole issue each month. A great selection of stories though and the great OZ pin-ups in the back were an added bonus; excellent, very excellent.
Now, let's see what our Editor-in-Chief Jerry thought of the two issues.
For those of you who are only familiar with the 1939 movie version of THE WIZARD OF OZ, the OZ comics are a lot closer to the original L. Frank Baum books. The Oz in those books was magical, to be sure, but dark and mysterious (my favorite characters were the Tin Man and Tik-Tok because they always reminded me of the robots that I found in science fiction).
The special one-shots that Caliber Comics put out a few years ago, especially LION and TIN MAN, were incredible and my first exposure to Oz in comic form. Arrow's DARK OZ 1 continues these comics' tradition of quality writing and artwork with a story that only leaves you wanting more.
Bill Bryan has a remarkable talent for creating haunting artwork. I cite Dorothy's tears as she talks of her lost childhood, the scarecrow army, and the last panel showing our heroes tied up on crosses about to die as examples of this.
I, too, hope there will be an OZ/WONDERLAND crossover. DC Comics did one, THE OZ/WONDERLAND WARS, but the inclusion of their Captain Carrot character marred what I thought could have been a better story.
Now, if only Arrow could get the rights to the LABYRINTH universe. But until then, OZ is a must-read.
I loved ARROW ANTHOLOGY 1, as well, and agree with most of Anthony's ratings. I enjoyed "The Fool on the Sill," "Battle Bot vs. The Absorbeing," and "Crimson and Clover."
As someone who loves dark, gritty stories, Mark Bloodworth's "Crimson and Clover," was very well-written and drawn, reminding me of a film noir detective story in a lot of ways even though it's set in 2024.
If I'm right in assuming that ARROW ANTHOLOGY is a try-out for potential series, then I sincerely hope THE NIGHT STREETS, as well as BATTLE BOT and GREAT SCOTT, get their own books soon.
Thanks for the pin-ups, guys, especially the one of Dorothy on the beach in a swimsuit. Dorothy's no little girl in these books; she's all woman.
All in all, ARROW ANTHOLOGY is a worthy effort and I highly recommend it.
Independent comics are often overlooked and underrated by a lot of people, but if you're sick of 50-issue story arcs involving Spider-Man clones, multiple X-MEN timelines, and what new look Superman is sporting this month, then Anthony and I strongly urge you to seek out the independents, such as Arrow Comics. You'll uncover endless treasures.
Well, here we are again reviewing the latest Arrow comics (and some previous months').
DARK OZ 5 What a way to end the mini-series. All I can say is WOW! I didn't think it would come to that. This issue is as dark as the pervious and dare I say, a little darker. What becomes of our land of Oz is a shame and Ozma's final words, "What have I done?," still linger in my head. All in all, one of the best issues around though I wish they would have went more into the Scarecrow's son before they killed him off.
Coming up is the Wogglebug Special and then THE LAND OF OZ, which starts in ARROW ANTHOLOGY #4. I do hope they start to bring more of the lesser known folks into the comic like Polychrome and I do hope they explore some of the other places that surround Oz. There are endless possibilities. I'm not going into this issue of OZ in detail for good reason - I don't want to give anything away, but needless to say, it's well worth the price of admission.
I rate it 5 out of 5.
WONDERLAND While I don't know if I agree with a teen-age Alice (least she looks like a teenager), the first issue has captured the essence of Wonderland itself. It's a mishmash of a hodgepodge that you just have to sit back and enjoy the ride. My only complaint is that you feel like you were dropped in the middle of a story. I do hope they have some flashbacks like when Alice first came to Wonderland. While I like WONDERLAND with the current storyline, I don't see how far they can take it but I'm sure they will come up with something. It's nice how they portray some of the characters such as the Cheshire Cat, and Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum being what amounts to big, dumb bodyguards. I can't say much about the issue this time because it's just starting and I don't know where they are going with this war with Queen of Hearts, but I'll keep reading. Like OZ, WONDERLAND has always been a favorite of mine since childhood and I'm anxious to see where they head with this.
I rate it 3 out of 5 (would've been higher if I wouldn't have been confused).
THE WAR OF THE WORLDS: THE MEMPHIS FRONT
While WAR OF THE WORLDS is more Jerry's cup of tea then mine, I enjoyed this first issue of THE MEMPHIS FRONT. It captured the paranoia of the original movie and radio show. Here we have the resistance fighter who is tired and just wants to rest and what happens - he meets up with a nut who thinks he is the coming Messiah here to help them against the Martians, and the final page has me wondering where they'll go next issue. I have some ideas myself. Great storyline and a great cover, too.
That's one thing I've always liked about Arrow: they were willing to take a chance. Now if they can bring back THE REALM and maybe get the rights to POWER FACTOR (another great independent title gone to the way side).
I rate THE MEMPHIS FRONT 4 out of 5 (great intro on the inside front cover, too; catches you up on what you missed).
KORVUS I must say I was impressed. Mick Fernette starts off the story slow, dropping little choice bits here and there to whet your appetite; he even includes a map of his lands. This has the makings of a great story, the kind that leaves you wondering. I like the way he portrays the Ranger - in reading through the book, you can tell he is a role player and can see the Chuthulu inspirations (which he does talk about in the book itself). I'm interested in seeing the new artist on the upcoming issues. If his preview in KORVUS 3 is any indication of his art, it looks killer! I'd like to see a little more detail, but all in all an enjoyable book.
I give it 4 **** out of 5 for issues 1-3.
�
First up, "Simon and Ajax." Here's what you get when you cross a cute animal
with a sexy secretary. This story was mildly amusing and I did chuckle out
loud in the opening. I mean, a sheep sneaking around the city. Wonderful
puns, great story, very humorous. To give you a taste, the sheep goes to
Simon and Ajax because the police have accused him of stealing "lambchops."
Yep, you heard us right. Too damn funny for its own good
It gets 4 out of 5 lambchops.
On to "Battle Bot." I didn't find this one as funny as the first "Battle
Bot" story we read and as for a origin issue, I was kinda disappointed it
didn't have the same comical feel as the story in issue 1. I'll reserve final
judgement on it till I read more Battle Bot stories.
Unfortunately, it only gets 2 arrows outta 5. Come on, Randy, we can do better.
What can I say about "Night Streets." I never really read any back in the
old Arrow days but if what I'm seeing in this two-part story is any indication
on how it was back in the day, then I'm sorry to say I missed a good thing.
This is by far one of the best if not THE best story in the two issues of
ARROW ANTHOLOGY we've reviewed thus far (yes, it even beats my first love
DARK OZ for different reasons). It had great character development. You felt
for the characters, you felt their elation, their pain, their sorrow. You
understood why Bernie was the way he was. If you're looking for a great story,
read this one. I'll have to see if we can get any back issues of these stories.
It gets 5 street signs out of 5.
Now on to "Wonderland" and "Dark Oz." I'll make this one short and sweet.
Interesting intro to the WONDERLAND series. Too bad the first issue wasn't
as good as this. Nothing more really to say. I'll split the difference -
3 rabbit holes outta 5.
And the final story of ARROW ANTHOLOGY 2, "Miss Chevious." While I never
read any of the TALES FROM THE ANIVERSE before, I've usually liked stories
with talking animals (I used to love reading CAPTAIN CARROT AND HIS AMAZING
ZOO CREW). The cat bounty hunter is an interesting angle especially because
she is female. My only complaint is that I wish this story would have had
more pages, but we will see what ends up happening. Now Randy, this is more
like it.
4 out of 5 blasters.
By the way, this issue also had an ad for MEDIEVAL MAYHEM, a new series from
Tyme Comics - cute pinup, guys, I like the ad - thumbs up!
Now on to issue 3.
First, I must say excellent pic on the back cover, Bryan - you rock! That
pic just kicks ass big time. I can't even go 5 outta five on it, I gotta
go 10 outta 5.
"Great Scott!" LOL This is one story that's real. Look at the writing in
one panel: this lady says, "Why did you do that, you dick?!" LOL Can't get
much more real than that. This one was amusing big time: the baby and feeding
him - just too funny (hey, what can I say, I'm male). "Great Scott!" gets
4 outta 5 nipples
Now on to "Dragon Queen." Very nice artwork; would love to see it in color.
An "A" for the story, nice teaser - enough to whet the appetite without being
overwhelming or leaving you lost. Nice big panels, too, and not overwrought
by writing. It lets the pictues tell the story and only says what needs to
be said, nothing more. I look forward to seeing more of this. 5 out of 5
dragon scales.
Now on to "Ninja Duck." Here we have a cute little tale about a duck who's
a ninja. He doesn't seem too bright. This is a simple tale which is enjoyable;
no heavy thinking, not many characters to keep track of. Worth a read. I
don't know how many isusues you could go with this in a regular monthly book,
but for an installment in ARROW ANTHOLOGY, it works nicely. 3 throwing stars
out of 5.
Now on to "The Adventures of Simon and Ajax." This is the first part of the
story that tells how they met. Let's see, we got cherub commandoes, some
Nazis, a mad scientist - all the makings of a good story. My only complaint:
I have to wait to read the rest of it. This series kinda reminds me of HOWARD
THE DUCK, with Howard and Beverly. It's a great little series. I like series
with talking animals that don't take themselves too seroulsy (mind you, I'm
not saying I don't like serious talking animals stuff). The one cherub I'd
swear they ripped off of NICK FURY: AGENT OF S.H.I.E.L.D. This one's a winner,
folks (just like the last "Simon and Ajax" I read ).
4 out of 5 stars.
Now on to "Samantha." Interesting story I suppose. No words with it but what's
it all mean...ah well, it was stylishly done, so it gets 3 *** out of 4.
Now on to "The Fool." Great story, wonderful moral. 5 ***** out of 5.
Nothing more needs to be said other than keep 'em coming, Randy.
Now, let's see what Jerry thinks:
DARK OZ 5 - This was an excellent ending to a fantastic mini-series. The
writing is some of the best I've read and the story kept me on the edge of
my seat, in the same way a really good TV series cliffhanger keeps you glued
to the set.
WONDERLAND - An impressive debut issue. I don't know if Dorothy was really
needed. I would've preferred they hold off on a crossover until later and
focused more on Alice as the lead character of this series, but other than
that, I really liked the first issue, especially all of the witty banter
between all of the characters.
THE WAR OF THE WORLDS: THE MEMPHIS FRONT - Just in time for the anniversary
of the original H.G. Wells novel. This comic rocks and it stays true to the
original concept, which has been explored to lesser success in Marvel's Killraven
comics.
KORVUS - What if H.P. Lovecraft had written Conan? The result may have been
something like this dark fantasy. This one just didn't grab me. I guess it
wasn't detailed enough for me. Or maybe it was the gore, which I don't have
a problem with as long as it's worked in well with other elements such as
story and character. Hopefully, future issues will explore this world more
fully. It has a lot of potential.
If you're interested in Arrow comments, E-mail Scott at:
[email protected]