by Mark Allen and Michael Vance

NEW REVIEWS EVERY WEEK!

LIGHT'S END VOL. 1

 Shudder at Michael Vance's Light's End horror stories narrated by legendary
actor William Windom 

 VOL.1 FEATURING: "A CHANGE OF HEART" & "CROSS PURPOSES 

BUY IT ON TAPE  /  $10.00   

LIGHT'S END VOL. 1

 Shudder at Michael Vance's Light's End horror stories narrated by legendary
actor William Windom 

 VOL.1 FEATURING: "A CHANGE OF HEART" & "CROSS PURPOSES 

BUY IT ON CD  /  $20.00    

LIGHT'S END VOL. 2

 Shudder at Michael Vance's Light's End horror stories narrated by legendary
actor William Windom 

 VOL.2 FEATURING: "THE FALL GUY", "THE ZOO" & "THE WORLD ROARS ON" 

BUY IT ON TAPE  /  $10.00    

Biography

    Michael Vance was first published in The Professor's Story Hour chapbook at
the age of eleven and became a professional freelance writer in 1977.  He
has been published in dozens of magazines and as a syndicated columnist and
cartoonist in over 500 newspapers. His history book, Forbidden Adventure:
The History of the American Comics Group, has been called a "benchmark in
comics history”.
    His magazine work has been published in seven countries, and includes
articles for Starlog, Jack & Jill and Star Trek: The Next Generation.
    He briefly ghosted an internationally syndicated comic strip, and his own
strip for five years called Holiday Out that was reprinted as a comic book.
Vance also wrote comic book titles including Straw Men, Angel of Death, The
Adventures of Captain Nemo, Holiday Out and Bloodtide.  His work has
appeared in several comic book anthologies, and he is listed in the Who's
Who of American Comic Books and Comic Book Superstars.
    His twenty three short stories about a fictional town called “Light's End”
have been published in Media Scene, Holiday Out Comics, Dreams and Visions,
Maelstrom Speculative Fiction, Whispers From the Shattered Forum, On Spec,
Whispers from the Shattered Forum, Lovecraft’s Mystery Magazine and many
others. They have also been recorded by legendary actor William (Murder She
Wrote) Windom and are being released on cassettes and CDs.    One of these
stories was nominated for the international 2004 SLF Fountain Award for Best
Short Story.
    With novelists Mel Odom and R.A. Jones, he co-wrote Global Star, a tabloid
in a world where werewolves and babies born with bowling balls in their
stomachs are reality, and the New York Times and Washington Post are “trash
journalism”.
    Vance’s weekly comics review column, Suspended Animation, has been
continuously published for more than fifteen years, currently reaching more
than 2.25 million readers in fanzines, newspapers, and in over eighty
websites.
    In addition, he worked in newspapers for twenty-two years as an editor,
writer and advertising manager, creating three successful newspaper
magazines.
Vance also created the new Oklahoma Cartoonists Collection housed in the Toy
and Action Figure Museum in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma.
    He is currently communications director of a nonprofit agency, the Tulsa
Boys' Home, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  He is a Christian.

 

 

SUSPENDED ANIMATION for 02/04/2010"

Essential Man-Thing Volume 1, published by Marvel Publishing, Inc., 544 pages, $16.99.

            Chalk up another reason to favor the Marvel Essentials line: Man-Thing.  Never a big fan of Marvel’s denizen of the swamps in my 30+ years as a comics reader, I’ve formed the opinion that it’s because I never read more than an appearance here or there.  Having 32 consecutive stories in a row, beginning with Man-Thing’s origin, changes the landscape, a bit.  Now, after all these years, I tip my hat to the creators of such compelling fare.

            Steve Gerber (creator of Howard the Duck) is the primary writer of these tales, with Roy Thomas, Gerry Conway and Tony Isabella lending a hand.  While not necessarily breaking any new ground in the field, the writers did present some interesting situational dramas, wonderfully morose settings, and even a few tales with an almost classic “B” movie atmosphere.  Often, the muck-monster was little more than a bystander, as the theater of other people’s lives unfolded before him and the reader, alike.  This produced a vibe not unlike many past E.C. horror yarns; the stories were quite engaging.  I’ll also add my opinion that, from a story-telling perspective, when the Man-Thing DOES play a significant role in a story, he becomes one of the best “unlikely heroes” in comics.

            Additionally, a fan could hardly ask for more accomplished art work to adorn these pages.  With a roll call boasting the likes of John Buscema, Mike Ploog, Gray Morrow, Neal Adams, Val Mayerik and more, there is precious little not to admire about this 500+ page tome.  The pages fairly spring to life with a sense of realism (and sometimes SURrealism) that only serves to heighten the intensity and sense of macabre. 

            Essential Man-Thing Volume 1 is recommended for older readers, due to some horrific content.  Find it at comics shops, bookstores, and online retailers and auctions.

Do you have a comics work that you would like reviewed in the Suspended Animation column?  Contact me at markallenok2003@yahoo.com.

Review by Mark Allen

 

SUSPENDED ANIMATION for 01/29/2010"

Essential Man-Thing Volume 1, published by Marvel Publishing, Inc., 544 pages, $16.99.

            Chalk up another reason to favor the Marvel Essentials line: Man-Thing.  Never a big fan of Marvel’s denizen of the swamps in my 30+ years as a comics reader, I’ve formed the opinion that it’s because I never read more than an appearance here or there.  Having 32 consecutive stories in a row, beginning with Man-Thing’s origin, changes the landscape, a bit.  Now, after all these years, I tip my hat to the creators of such compelling fare.

            Steve Gerber (creator of Howard the Duck) is the primary writer of these tales, with Roy Thomas, Gerry Conway and Tony Isabella lending a hand.  While not necessarily breaking any new ground in the field, the writers did present some interesting situational dramas, wonderfully morose settings, and even a few tales with an almost classic “B” movie atmosphere.  Often, the muck-monster was little more than a bystander, as the theater of other people’s lives unfolded before him and the reader, alike.  This produced a vibe not unlike many past E.C. horror yarns; the stories were quite engaging.  I’ll also add my opinion that, from a story-telling perspective, when the Man-Thing DOES play a significant role in a story, he becomes one of the best “unlikely heroes” in comics.

            Additionally, a fan could hardly ask for more accomplished art work to adorn these pages.  With a roll call boasting the likes of John Buscema, Mike Ploog, Gray Morrow, Neal Adams, Val Mayerik and more, there is precious little not to admire about this 500+ page tome.  The pages fairly spring to life with a sense of realism (and sometimes SURrealism) that only serves to heighten the intensity and sense of macabre. 

            Essential Man-Thing Volume 1 is recommended for older readers, due to some horrific content.  Find it at comics shops, bookstores, and online retailers and auctions.

Do you have a comics work that you would like reviewed in the Suspended Animation column?  Contact me at markallenok2003@yahoo.com.

Review by Mark Allen

 

SUSPENDED ANIMATION for 01/22/2010"

Comics Legend Chas Addams

He is best known for something he never created. He is best remembered for wildly original single-panel cartoons in New Yorker magazine. He would have thought that odd because he thought in very odd ways.

Ergo: "He's in the garden." said the plain Jane blonde into the telephone. Through the open doorway behind her was a new grave and a shovel stuck in upturned earth.  

-0-

As musicians enter a stage prepared for their orchestra, a violinist gawks at a row of squeeze horns, a stool and a bucket of fish.

-0-

Three angry bears in auditorium seats try to pick a perpetrator from a lineup of little golden-haired girls.

-0-

The genius behind these dark and thought-provoking scenes actually had four names. One was Subtle. One was Macabre. Two were well known and much beloved: Chas Addams.

The something that Chas never created was The Addams Family. The tongue-in-cheek television series and movies were based on the style of Chas' dark humor, and several characters extrapolated from individual cartoons.

Sort of the same way Gary Larson extrapolated his famous The Far Side comic strip from Chas Addams' work as well. Not copied. Not plagiarized. Extrapolated. Larson was as original as Chas.

Regrettably, Chas is not well represented in comic books. The Addams Family ('74-'76; Gold Key) is not a collection of his cartoons, but a continuation a Hanna-Barbera animated TV series that was, in turn, a spin-off of the television show.

Among the collections of his work, Random House published hardback editions including Creature Comforts, Chas Addams' Favorite Haunts, My Crowd, The Groaning Board, Drawn and Quartered, Chas Addams' Black Maria, Night Crawlers, Homebodies, Monster Rally, Addams and Evil and The Dear Dead Days.

The work of Chas Addams is highly recommended.

Review by Michael Vance

 

 

SUSPENDED ANIMATION for 01/15/2010"

Bone: Rose, published by Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic Inc., 142 pages, $10.99.

            I was thrilled to discover that Scholastic, the company which is reprinting every volume of Jeff Smith’s Bone series, also reproduced the prequel, Rose.

            The back story of a pivotal character in Bone, Rose is the tale of two sisters, both seeking to grow into the possible role of ruler of their people.  However, while Rose seeks to develop her “dreaming eye”, and becomes the defender of her land against the Lord of Locusts, her sister, Briar, takes a different path.

            While much well-deserved praise has gone up for Bone, I can’t imagine a more intriguing, entertaining and captivating addition than this coming-of-age story.  Distinguished by the same elements of fantasy, horror and whimsy, Rose bears all of the earmarks that make Jeff Smith a heavyweight in the arena of comics and graphic novels.

            Describing the artwork of Charles Vess has never been easy for me.  His is not a style based on realism, but neither is it “cartoony”.  Perhaps the most suitable phrase I can apply to it is fantasy-based.  Under Vess’ hand, Rose appears and reads exactly as I believe it should; like a classic storybook, only tinged with a sense of surrealism.  His locales are thick with atmosphere, his characters are highly communicative, and his sense of storytelling is powerful and dramatic.  And, in the midst of it all is the sensation that, even without the dragon, rat-creatures and mysterious cloaked figures, one would still be assured that they are most certainly somewhere….else.  In the world of comics, no other artist can surpass Vess’ sense of ambiance.

            Rose is recommended to all but the youngest of readers.  Most fans of fantasy books, comics and movies, including works by C.S. Lewis and J.R. Tolkein, are likely to find it worth their while.  Look for it in bookstores, comics shops, libraries, and online auctions and retailers.

Do you have a comics work you would like reviewed by Suspended Animation?  Email me at markallenok2003@yahoo.com.

Review by Mark Allen

 

 

01/09/2010"

News Release     SHERLOCK HOLMES – CONSULTING DETECTIVE Vol. Two.   THE GREAT DETECTIVE IS BOX-OFFICE GOLD!   Following the overwhelming success of Sherlock Holmes-Consulting Detective Vol.One, Airship 27 Productions and Cornerstone Book Publishers are thrilled to offer mystery fans this brand new anthology of mystery adventures.  Once again, Holmes and Watson challenge the criminal forces that threaten Victorian England at every turn.   Arriving in the midst of the media phenomenon that is the new record breaking movie, “Sherlock Holmes”, starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, this new collection is the perfect treasure for movie-goers eager to get their hands on more Holmes and Watson adventures.  As this iconic character’s exploits again take hold of the public’s imagination, new and old fans alike will be pleased to find this volume of all new stories.   A twisted scientist plots to alter the course of human evolution while another dreams of creating the world’s first mechanical thinking machine.  A body is found in a secured bank vault and modern day pirates have begun harassing Her Majesty’s Royal Navy. Here are five new mysteries that will test the Great Detective’s uncanny talents of observation and the courage of his loyal companion.   Writers Bernadette Johnson, Joshua Reynolds, I.A. Watson and Andrew Salmon have delivered another compilation of fast paced, old fashioned tales guaranteed to warm the blood of the most ardent Holmes enthusiast.  Sit back, dim the lights, and prepare yourself for the chase.  Once more, the game is afoot!   This new volume features a stunning cover by artist Ingrid Hardy and black and white interior illustrations by the book’s designer, artist Rob Davis.  Edited by Airship 27 Productions’ Managing Editor, Ron Fortier. Sherlock Holmes – Consulting Detective Vol.Two is another quality addition to the company’s list of action/adventure pulp titles. Airship 27Productions; Pulp Fiction for a New Generation!   ISBN:  1-934935-64-6 ISBN 13:  978- 1-934935-64-4 Produced by Airship 27 Published by Cornerstone Book Publishers   Release date: 01/08/2010 Retail Price: $21.95 Also available at – (http://www.gopulp.info/)

 

 

SUSPENDED ANIMATION for 01/07/2010"

Strange Space Stories #1, published by Main Enterprises, 36 pages, $3.25.  Available through mail order.

            Small press offerings are often “iffy”.  What you get can range from highly entertaining to barely passable comics material.  However, any time you are dealing with creators who possess the desire, ingenuity, and good ol’ fashioned “pluck” it requires to produce and distribute a series, or even a single issue, I consider it a worthwhile gamble.  That being the case, fans of the science fiction fare of the 50’s should roll the dice on Strange Space Stories #1, from Main Enterprises.

            Containing material which serves as an artistic “salute” to the late Wally Wood, Strange Space Stories opens with the tale of a futuristic space ark, and closes with a yarn about a young boy who sees Martians.  In between the two is a prose work dealing with a renegade android, on the run with blood on her hands.

            In “The Ark”, written and illustrated by John Lambert, with embellishments by Robert Sumner, the inhabitants of Baylushia are gratified by the appearance of a strange asteroid, believing it a sign of good tidings from the gods.  They are never aware, however, of the dramatic tableau which takes place to right the course of this “asteroid”, saving their planet. 

            “Strange Frequencies”, by Robert Sumner, finds young Thomas Milton’s passion with sci-fi and adventure programs on the radio seemingly affecting his outlook on real life.  But, is little Thomas only imagining things, or…?

            Sam Gafford’s prose tale, “A Bucket of Nerves”, with illustrations by Dan Taylor, is a futuristic “gumshoe” tale containing mystery, action, political/corporate intrigue, and a beautiful dame, to boot; all with a decidedly science fiction twist.  It is engaging and well-paced.

            Pin-ups are provided throughout by Marc Haines, Miguel Guerra, Rene Blansette, Jason Gillespie, Jim Pack, and Tim Tobolski.

            An entertaining distraction, Strange Space Stories #1 is recommended for older readers.  For ordering information, contact Jim Main at jmain44@aol.com .

Do you have a comics work you would like reviewed?  Email me at markallenok2003@yahoo.com .

Review by Mark Allen.

 

 

SUSPENDED ANIMATION for 01/02/2010"

Starscape Presents, #’s 1 and 2, published by Starscape and Starscape Online, 24 pages, $2.99.  Available at www.spitfirecomics.co.uk .

 

            Zombies are big in comics, today, which is probably one reason for the story entitled “Dead” in Starscape Presents #1.  The premise is simple: an Old West town is the last “safe” place in a world overrun by the necrotic, cannibalistic legions.

            Writer Gary Simpson crafts a straightforward tale that, while primarily an action/horror yarn, does provide a twist or two.  Sheriff Flint is a highly sympathetic character, despite her “crusty” persona; no doubt, a result of years of dealing with “the dead”.

            Artist Lee O’Conner provides pencils and inks that are, at times, wonderfully detailed and realistic.  However, his extreme use of black in some panels doesn’t always seem to serve an obvious creative purpose. His is a style which, after further polishing, could develop a following. For what it’s worth, his cover for this comic book is superb.

            A word of warning: This comic is not for children, or the squeamish (such as myself), as violence, gore and profanity abound.

 

            Issue number two of Starscape Presents: “Ouija: Heartstrings”, involves the interesting concept of a man who does favors for dead people.  Think “The Sixth Sense” meets “The Equalizer”.  In this tale, he involves himself in a deceased woman’s case concerning her vampiric boyfriend.

             Gary Simpson’s hero comes across effectively as a hard man with a soft heart.  Unfortunately, Simpson’s unique idea cannot save the story from an art style which may be fine after more seasoning, but is, as it stands, crude enough as to actually detract from the story itself. 

            At the least, a comics artist should be able to always distinguish each character, and maintain things like size and perspective.  To artist Tim Youlden I say keep working on your technique; one review does not a career make, OR break.

            Like the issue which proceeds it, “Heartstrings” is a bloody tale, and not for the youngsters. 

Reviews by Mark Allen

 

SUSPENDED ANIMATION for 12/25/2009"

Comics Legend Don Martin  (from 2000)

"Skwako," and another great master cartoonist is gone.

Don Martin, Mad magazine's "maddest" artist, was born in Patterson, New Jersey in 1931. He initially sold humorous cartoons to magazines including Galaxy, and art for the covers of jazz record albums. His first national success came in 1956 when Al Feldstein, editor of Mad, made Martin's work an integral part of the counter-culture of the 1960s.

For more than thirty years, Martin would create a horde of idiot misfits with multiple chins, feet hinged at the toes, and ape-like arms who stumbled through life on the hard end of the slapstick.

His work was also known for its own unique vocabulary of sound effects. It was a rare page in which “Yarg”, "Shklip”, “Flot” or some wild, oddball and generally disgusting noise did not accompany someone being flattened, buzz-sawed or somehow mangled.

Regrettably, in 1987, Martin left Mad over a dispute over the rights to his manic work. He continued his whacked humor in Cracked, an early imitation of Mad that had found its own style with time.

Despite his outlandish and influential art, Martin was personally shy and suffered from a degenerative eye disease from much of his life. He died this year at age 68.

Among Martin's thirteen paper and trade paperback collections and comic books were: Mad's Maddest Artist Don Martin Bounces Back, Don Martin's Droll Book (Dark Horse Comics), Mad's Don Martin Forges Ahead, Mad's Don Martin Drops 13 Stories, Mad's Don Martin Steps Out, The Mad Adventures of Capt. Klutz, Mad's Don Martin Carries On, Completely Mad Don Martin (1974).

 His work also included extensive contributions to Mad and Cracked, and his own Don Martin Magazine.

Martin's brilliant and unique work is highly recommended for all ages.

Review by Michael Vance

 

SUSPENDED ANIMATION for 12/18/2009"

Marvel Adventures Iron Man Volume 1, Published by Marvel Publishing, Inc, 96 pages, $6.99.

            Part of me still can’t believe I’m saying it, though I’ve been saying it for at least four years, now: What’s needed more than anything in superhero comics today is FUN.  The stands are dominated by Marvel and DC, whose products seem to primarily be dark, angst-driven, delighted with death, and generally “mature” to some degree.  I use the “m” word loosely.

            This is why the Marvel Adventures line was/is such a breath of fresh air.  In this case, M.A. Iron Man Volume 1: Heart of Steel takes Tony Stark and his iron-clad alter ego “back to formula” so to speak.  Thanks to writer Fred Van Lente and artists James Cordeiro and Ronan Cliquet, this is my favorite version of the character since the run of Kurt Busiek and Sean Chen, which began in 1998.

            The story puts a slightly different spin on the origin of the character, while preserving the essence of Tony Stark; a once arrogant man, seeking to improve himself on the inside, not just the outside.

            Van Lente does a wonderful job of crafting stories and setting a pace which is reminiscent of Marvel in its’ glory days.  Action a-plenty, sufficient oratory and interesting characters abound.  And, happily, these stories are not weighted down with whatever else may be going on in the Marvel Adventures universe.

            Cordeiro and Cliquet have artistic styles that are wonderfully expressive, and don’t clash with one another.  Detailed and intricate, they are well-suited to the high-tech nature of Iron Man stories, without giving an inch on the action necessary for a slam-bang superhero yarn!  And, for the record, they both turn in two of the best designs for Marvel villains in decades: Cliquet’s Plantman and Cordeiro’s Spymaster are aces!

            Marvel Adventures Iron Man Volume 1 is ecstatically recommended for all ages.

Review by Mark Allen

Do you have a comics work you would like reviewed?  Send it to Mark Allen, P.O. Box 394, Keyes, OK 73947.

 

SUSPENDED ANIMATION for 12/11/2009"

Unique, published in 2007 by Platinum Studios Comics, 48 pages, $2.99.

            Jon Geoffries has a problem with nightmares.  Sometimes, he thinks he may be going insane.  His doctor reassures him, however, that it is simply a “matter of brain chemistry.”  However, the meds which Dr. Maxwell prescribes not only exacerbate the problem, they are the means by which a whole new world is opened up to Jon.  Literally.  What’s more, Jon doesn’t want to be there.  However, as a “unique”, with no counterpart in this other world, individuals of both realms have nefarious designs on him.

            Writer Dean Motter and artist Dennis Calero put together a sequential tale that is not “unique” in name only.  Though tales of two worlds are fairly common, this one manages to pull off an air of originality, as the main character visits a world where night is day, and vice-versa.  Instead of “Good day”, people say “Good night” as a greeting.  Jon also gets arrested for breaking curfew…, at four in the afternoon.  Strangely enough, small bits of that nature help to give this yarn an authentic feel. 

            Motter successfully makes Jon a sympathetic character, as he eludes those who would enthrall him, all the while fearing for his own sanity.  He also creates a fine sense of tension and urgency, helping to propel the story along nicely.  The only complaint on my part is that the “love scene” between Jon and Amanda/Liona seems forced and out of place, serving no clear purpose.

            Calero’s art work is realistic and dynamic, and his characters are expressive.  However, while successfully portraying a “dark” world, the art is sometimes exceedingly murky.  Additionally, the switch from world to world is not always clearly delineated.  Thankfully, however, the artist “marks” each earth for readers; one has clearly defined word balloons, the other, free-floating text.  This method keeps the reader “in the know.”

            As a whole, Unique is a worthwhile comics endeavor, and is recommended for older readers.  Find it as comics shops, conventions, and online retailers and auctions.

Review by Mark Allen

Do you have a comics work you would like reviewed?  Send it to Mark Allen, P.O. Box 394, Keyes, OK 73947.

 

SUSPENDED ANIMATION for 12/04/2009"

Essential Daredevil Volume 1, published by Marvel Comics, 544 pages, $16.99.

            As a general rule, I find it bad form to have a revolving door of artists on an ongoing title featuring a continuing storyline.  There are two exceptions to this, the first being an obvious one: anthologies.  The other exception is not as obvious.  It is any book in which the artists are some of the best the business has ever seen.  A good example of this is Marvel’s Essential Daredevil Volume 1.

            Collecting issues 1 through 25 of the first Daredevil series, this ample tome features the work of no less than Bill Everett, Joe Orlando, Wally Wood, Jack Kirby, John Romita, Sr. and Gene Colan.  Amazingly, there is only one instance in the whole book in which the artistic “changing of the guard” is immediately, glaringly obvious, and that is the switch from Romita to Colan.

            In this volume, fans will find Daredevil as he was originally envisioned: the carefree, devil-may-care swashbuckler, whose quips and one-liners could give even a certain wall-crawling hero a run for his money.  Younger readers who have never seen anything other than the grim, morose, more Batman-like Daredevil ought to give these Stan Lee tales a shot.

            A word about the Marvel Essentials collections: I was not an immediate fan, since I enjoyed the color in these stories, being at least familiar with them from my childhood.  However, I have been won over, as some who are fans of original comics art have led me to the realization that these presentations are much like seeing the art work in its raw form, right off the penciler’s drawing board.  Approached in this light, I have grown to appreciate these works that much more.

            Essential Daredevil Volume 1 is recommended for all readers, and can be found at comics shops, conventions and online auctions and retailers.

Review by Mark Allen

(Have any comics work you would like reviewed in Suspended Animation?  Send it to Mark Allen, P.O. Box 394, Keyes, OK 73947.)