BONUS BOOK - Arak, Son of Thunder (August, 1981) Writer - Roy Thomas Art - Ernie Colon Embellisher - Tony DeZuniga Letters - John Costanza Colors - Adrienne Roy Edits - Dick Giordano Hey look, another "Insert Prevue" without an actual cover! Whatta bummer. Speaking of "bummers"... today we take a look at Arak, Son of Thunder. Gotta be honest here, there's a reason why it's taken me so long to get to this one. This is definitely not my type of comic... and, I've been dreading having to cover it. But, ya know what they say... in for a penny, in for a pound. We don't do things halfway at this here blog... if we're covering Insert Prevues, then dammit, we're covering 'em all. --
We open with Arak lurking and hunting alongside overly flowery narration... and, a lot of it. He comes across a pool, where a beautiful woman is skinny-dipping... and so, he decides to stick around and watch for a bit... as ya do?
Anyhoo, Arak watches as the woman "Phoebe Cates" out of the pool, while more overly-purple (and perhaps some blue) thoughts cross his mind. The woman notices him, and doesn't take kindly to the hulking peeping tom... and so, she sics her dogs on him.
Arak makes short work of them... however, it gives the woman, Dziewona, enough time to flee... at least for the moment. She hops on the back of her horse and takes off. But then, Arak starts up his "War Whoop" which frightens the horse enough to buck the broad off!
Arak approaches the fallen bather, and assures her he means her no harm... maybe he's just a creepy pervert then? Anyhoo, he tells her that he's only out searching for amber for trade. Just then, a bunch of shadowy folks appear from the forest... and one hurls a spear right at Arak's face, knocking him out! When he awakens, he's all alone... looks like his attackers have taken Dziewona.
Arak manages to track his attackers to a nearby amber-hoard... so, we're killing two birds with one stone here! He discovers that his foes are Vikings... and they appear to be setting up Dziewona for some sort of ritual. They bind her and place her within the amber motherlode.
Then... they chant. Suddenly, the amber begins to move... and comes together in the form of a great glowing beast. The strange serpentine predator approaches the prone Dziewona.
This prompts Arak to belt out another War-Whoop! He lunges into battle with the Vikings, and takes them out alongside even more flowery narration. Ya know, there are a lot of reasons why I don't read Thor... faux-Shakespearean, or over-dramatized narration is very high on that list. This sort of thing is pretty off-putting to me, and is really taking me out of the story. It almost feels like I'm reading a parody. "Sinews and Steel"... c'mon, gimme a break.
All the while, the amber-beast kinda just menacingly looks at Dziewona. It doesn't exactly "attack" or attempt to harm her in any way.
That doesn't stop Arak from attacking it, however. He hacks away at the beast, taking off chunks of amber with each swipe. The amber actually seems to attach itself to his hand-axe... not sure if there's anything special about that... but, Roy really wanted us to know this was happening.
More fighting... more slashing... and finally, Arak goes in for the "kill".
The Vikings look on, and are flabbergasted. Well, they ain't seen nothin' yet... because Dziewona takes this opportunity to stand up and begin a chant of her own. This causes the great amber beast to stiffen, ultimately turning into a shining statue.
The Vikings flee... and Arak passes out, again. When he wakes up, he asks Dzie if she was ever in danger from the beast... and, of course she wasn't. She then calls forth her decrepit-looking steed, and takes her leave.
Not before telling Arak that they will see each other again, however... well, he'll meet someone like her at the very least. All's he's gotsta do is head for the City of the Golden Horn. And... that's that.
-- Ya know, this wasn't bad. It's not something I feel compelled to continue reading... but, I didn't dislike this as much as I feared. I should always expect quality from Roy Thomas, and shouldn't doubt in his ability to make even stories that are so far out of my personal wheelhouse, at least somewhat interesting. Arak feels like a series I'd probably need a "running start" to try in earnest. I just don't see how stories like this were able to last as long as they did. I think Arak, Son of Thunder lasted something like fifty issues... which, dang... different times, I guess. So, whatta we get here? Besides some gorgeous Ernie Colon art, we get to sorta-kinda meet our leading man. All we know is that he's looking for amber to trade, is "sinewy", and he has a War Whoop that can spook even a horse! Sorry, I'm really looking for something interesting to say... there's just nothin' comin'! I'm sure folks who are into this kind of book... will like this, and probably like it a lot. Over on social media, I've been counting down to my four-year anniversary by sharing "This Day in Christory" posts... where I just compile all of the books I'd covered on that date over the past few years. Just the other day, I shared this one:
Convergence #0... actually features the first appearance of Arak... as Telos! Which is pretty dumb! But ya know, kinda relevant with the timing of this post. Or maybe I'm just grasping at straws to extend this post? Anyhoo, just one Insert Prevue left to go... if you're following along at H.O.M.E. you probably know exactly where we're headed. Also, we're going to take a short peek at the planned Len Wein & Ross Andru-crafted Insert that never happened! UPDATE: February 16, 2020: A piece from Amazing Heroes #1 (June, 1981) regarding Roy Thomas' arrival at DC Comics, and his plans to continue his Conan-ing through a certain Indian/Viking character:
BONUS BOOK - Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld (April, 1983) "Duel in Dark Magic!" Writers - Dan Mishkin & Gary Cohn Pencils/Letters - Ernie Colon Colors - Tom Ziuko Edits - Karen Berger & Dave Manak Keeping with Insert Previews debuting in issues of Legion (since that's the longbox I just unearthed), we're going to take a look at the introduction of Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld. This is a property we discussed here wayyy back in the long ago, and even prompted a visit from Amethyst co-creator, Dan Mishkin! Ya see, I sorta-kinda suggested that Amethyst might've been... maybe a teensiest tiniest bit influenced by the character Magik over in Uncanny X-Men. He assured me this wasn't the case at all. He said it was just part of the comics zeitgeist at the time... and, honestly, that's good enough for me. This Prevue was stuffed into the middle of Legion of Super-Heroes (vol.2) #298 (April, 1983)... one of many, many, many Legion stories I'll probably never get around to reading. --
We open in a Dark Keep on Gemworld, where a man called Lord Opal is being measured for a breastplate. This piece must fit him perfectly... and, if all goes according to plan, he will be able to "unleash the mystic energies of Gemworld itself" with it. Ya see, he is now in possession of ten fragments of Gemworld's gemstones... gem, gem, gem. He thanks a weirdo named Sardonyx for his help... and, at this point, has entrusted his box'a gems to his goofball son Carnelian. He laments that the only gem he is missing right now... you guessed it, the Amethyst! Just then, a dullard bursts in with some news.
Looks like they've got a bead on the Princess of Castle Amethyst through a planted spy. Turns out, she's on some sort of secret mission which has taken her away from the safety of the Palace and her Queen (?) Citrina. Lord Opal decides this might be the best time to strike... and snag that Violet Gem.
Speaking of Amethyst... let's meet her! At present, she (and her bestial escort, Granch) are about to enter the Bog of One Thousand Despairs... once, quite the tourist attraction, though far too commercial these days. Okay, okay... it's just a bog. Not sure exactly what their mission here is quite yet.
Lord Opal and Company are able to watch Amethyst and Granch via a handy "Well of Vision"... and a trio of bird-faced hags. They celebrate finding her... however, since so much of the world is desolate and boggy... they can't exactly pin-point her location! Lord Opal gives a rather chuckleheaded smile all the same.
Meanwhile, Opal's nudnick son Carnelian is off in the corner playing with his snake and baubles. Err, that is to say, his weird pet snake and that box of Gem-Shards. He doesn't seem overly keen at the prospect of his adopted father gaining all of these magical powers. Hmm...
Meanwhile, Lord Opal has decided to send a ferocious dragon to Amethyst's location. Least I think that's what's happening anyway... the art isn't overly clear here... though, I might just be a bit too dense. Anyhoo, the dragon makes short work of Granch, kayoing him with ease.
Amethyst responds by blasting the ever-loving stuff outta the beast! Lord Opal looks on via the well-pool, and suggests he might ought to try a different approach next time.
And by "next time", I mean right friggin' now. Lord Opal's next "gift" comes in the form of a tornado. Amethyst "outsmarts" the twister by having Granch toss a whole boulder into its funnel. When asked how she thought of that, the Princess responds with an offhanded remark about having messed up a garbage disposal with a steak bone once before. Hmm. This infuriates Lord Opal... however, his frustration is short-lived. Ya see, the Hags have discovered both Amethyst's whereabouts and destination. Guess who's coming for dinner?
Meanwhile, at the Forge... Sardonyx oversees the forging of Lord Opal's bedazzled chestplate. He's feeling overly cautious, and somewhat suspicious of Carnelian... and with good reason. Elsewhere, ol' Carny is plotting how to stop his Father from attaining high-power. And by "plotting", I mean, he just repeats to himself (and his weird snake) that he can't allow this to come to pass.
Then, the Blacksmith gingerly places the bedazzled chestplate into the forge... and Carnelian secretly "turns up the heat". From this, something very strange happens! The forces of chaos (or just chaos in general) are psychedelically unleashed all ova da place! Carny looks on... we know he had concocted this mishap, but he's still somewhat surprised by this result.
Back at the wellpool, Amethyst and Opal exchange pleasantries... which is to say, Opal yells a lot... and fires off energy blasts. Amethyst takes this opportunity to snatch up a... fistful of water? I didn't know water could travel in "fists", but we'll allow it. She and Granch then go to scurry off. Looks like procuring water from the "Well of Vision" might've been Amethyst's mission!
Opal, not wanting the Princess to escape, transforms the trio of hags into a three-headed hydra... and sends it off to halt the escape attempt. He then heads down to the forge to don his chestplate... and discovers the strange scene of chaotic horrors. He is thankful that this mishap did not occur with all twelve stones set in place... because that could have meant the end of Gemworld altogether. He nyoinks the Dark Opal off the chestplate... which somehow renders the "lunatic enchantments" inside the forge to be quieted.
Outside, Amethyst and Granch are caught by the hydra. The former tosses the well-water to the latter and instructs him to make a clean getaway. Naturally, he refuses... but she ain't havin' no backtalk. She zaps the beast's talon which releases Granch to the ground below.
She then blasts the Hydra right between it's eyes... and eyes... and eyes, which reverts it back to the trio of bird-faced hags. All four begin to plummet toward ground, however...
... Amethyst opens up a portal of sorts, which she falls through. On the other side, she, as a child... lands in a bed. Well, she kinda bounces off the bed and lands on the floor, but you know what I mean. Upon hearing the racket, "Amy's" mother calls out to her... to which, our gal just reports that she had a "bad dream".
-- Okay, this wasn't my favorite... but it ain't Amethyst's fault! Ya see, the most interesting part of Amethyst to me is... the duality. Ya know, having a child in the "mundane world" actually be a super-powered Princess in Gemworld is a very fun idea. Unfortunately, that only appeared in this Preview in order to subvert our expectations for the series to follow. I mean, I can't fault it that... it's a heckuva subversion, and I'm sure it caught plenty of readers back in 1983 off-guard. It's just less interesting to me in having all but a couple of panels of the thing occurring in a far-flung fantasy world. Outside of ElfQuest, I've never been a big fantasy/Sword & Sorcery comics fan. Conan and Red Sonja bore me to tears... Arion and Arak (who we'll be meeting in a few days) put me to sleep... Heck, I struggle with Warlord... which is something I'm not sure I'm allowed to admit online. Sheesh, I hardly ever enjoy Thor over at Marvel! That's not by any fault of this story... it's just my own personal tastes. When it comes to comics (and the limited amount of time I get to actually read 'em nowadays), I suppose the kids today might refer to me as "basic"... I like superheroes. There's another thing I'm not sure I'm allowed to admit online! That said... I do appreciate the world-building Mishkin and Cohn engage in here. In the limited amount of pages they're given, we get a pretty good idea what the "layout" of Gemworld is. It would appear as though there are twelve "Kingdoms" all represented by a different Gem. I'm guessing they'll be the Twelve Birthstones... but, I've been wrong before. Lord Opal looks to be the main baddie... with Amethyst being the sole Gem he has been able to procure for ultimate control over the World. He's got an adopted son, who isn't quite sure about his plans... and who I could see flipping sides, and perhaps even becoming romantically entangled with our lead. It's all good, in as far as the "nuts and bolts" are concerned... however, the straight "fantasy" approach in this preview was just a bit too dull for me personally.
Super Heroes Stamp Album #1 (1998) "Book I: 1900 to 1909!" Writer - Doug Moench Pencillers - Paul Ryan, Angelo Torres, Joe Orlando, Joe Staton, Dan Jurgens, Norm Breyfogle, Jim Aparo, Dick Giordano, George Pratt, M.D. Bright & Ernie Colon Inkers - Doug Hazlewood, Josef Rubenstein, Tom Palmer, Mike DeCarlo, Bill Sienkiewicz & Bob Smith Colors - Tom Ziuko, Rick Taylor, Patricia Mulvihill & Bob LeRose Letterer - Gaspar Saladino Postmaster General - Marvin Runyon Alrighty folks, today we have what might be one of the more bizarre... and boring books we're ever going to discuss here. This one was made in cooperation with the United States Postal Service in order to promote their line of Celebrate the Century Stamps. These were ten sheets of stamps, one for each decade of the 20th Century... with 15 stamps on each highlighting important events in semi-recent United States History. What this has to do with superheroes... well, you got me. Though, to be fair, it looks like Superman will get his own stamp in Book III. This line of comics was supposed to be an actual "stamp album", just like it says on the cover. You were supposed to collect the stamps, and put them in their proper spot inside this very book. We really got into that sort of thing around the turn of the century... ask anyone who collected the 50 State Quarters! Anyhoo, this piece will likely be a bit lighter on commentary than usual, because... there's no story here. It's just several of our late-90's DC Comics favorites dropping knowledge on us. As always, we'll do the best that we can! --
We open with Superman beginning our tour through the 20th Century. Are you excited? I know I'm excited. Hell, even Batman's sorta smiling! For our first stop, Superman "The Action Ace" introduces us to Theodore Roosevelt "The Action President". We learn of young Teddy's health problems, and his service with the Rough Riders. Also, the circumstances which led to his becoming President of the United States.
The next stop on our tour is hosted by Wonder Woman... and she's taking us to Ellis Island. She informs us that in the first decade of the 20th Century alone, nine million immigrants came through New York Harbor... with 4,000 passing through the Ellis Island Processing Point on an average day.
Remember Theodore Roosevelt? Well, we're not done with him yet. This time Robin tells us the story of the first Teddy Bear. Ya see, legend has it that Theodore Roosevelt refused to shoot a bear cub while on a hunting trip... he considered it "unsporting". When this story spread, a toy shop owner crafted a stuffed version of this bear to sell.
Back to Superman, and the story of the first World Series... well, after he shows off some of his powers for us, by cracking a ball into orbit... and speeding up to catch it. It was a best-of-nine series that took place in 1903, pitting the National League's Pittsburgh Pirates against the American League's Boston Pilgrims (later Red Sox). The Pilgrims would win it in eight!
Off to Muir Woods with Connor Hawke, where we learn a bit about preservationist John Muir. Dude quit his job and walked 1,000 miles across the country. He had founded The Sierra Club in 1892 in attempt to preserve the Yosemite Region from loggin and whatnot. He even became pals with the aforementioned (several times) Teddy Roosevelt.
Back to Robin for the quick and dirty on Crayola Crayons. Did you know that crayons are made out of chalk and oil? Well, you do now.
Over to Wonder Woman for a look at "the ideal woman"... and no, we're not talking about Diana. This is the Gibson Girl... a creation of an artist named Charles Dana Gibson that appeared in a humor magazine. Homeboy got paid, and her look became "the" look many women would aspire toward.
Next stop, Kitty Hawk... where Superman tells us all about Orville and Wilbur Wright's first flight. He's probably the most fitting hero to discuss these fellas, no?
Then Kyle Rayner tells us all about the first American blockbuster film, "The Great Train Robbery". Anyone ever see it? I haven't. Looks like it's only 12 minutes long... I guess it might be worth a look.
Okay, 12 minutes and 10 seconds. Anyhoo, Kyle informs us that movie-goers actually freaked out when the gunslinger in the film started firing off shots toward the camera. Imagine living in a time like that?
Off to St. Louis so Wonder Woman can tell us all about the 1904 World's Fair. Looks like there were a whole lot of important concepts and ideas introduced, including such mundane things as ice cream cones, iced tea, and hamburgers! What a time to be alive!
Batman then fills us in on the 1906 Pure Food and Drugs Act. A story that begins with an old favorite of mine, the Snake-Oil Salesman. Looks like these potions and tinctures weren't as harmless as you might think though... many were laced with stimulants. I'm sure that wasn't always a bad thing for the patrons, however.
Next, our man Steel tells us about William Edward Burghardt DuBois... which includes such concepts as Jim Crow Laws... and leads to race riots and the eventual formation of the NAACP. Steel ends his tale by informing us that, prior to his passing, W.E.B. DuBois renounced his American citizenship and spent his final days in Ghana, Africa.
Off to... maybe Metropolis, where Superman takes a break from attending to a city-full of crumbling skyscrapers to tell us all about Frank Lloyd Wright. All I knew about this fella was his more Arizona-centric dealings... and the fact that we have a major road named after him out this way. I used to work over the road, and had to visit his Taliesin West (which he used as a "winter home") several times. Unfortunately his vision didn't help Arizona all that much... as we're still very much "cookie cutter" as far as housing, at least in the major metropolitan areas.
Next up, the Flash tells us about the Model T Ford, and how Henry Ford launched the second Industrial Revolution in America. Wowsa!
The final stop on this tour is guided by Batman, as he slinks down the back alleys to tell us about Ash Can Printing. As comics enthusiasts, we've no doubt heard the word "ashcan" before... but this is a bit different. This is an art movement, where folks would paint "plain or ugly subjects"... gritty realistic images which may include things like "dirty alleys or garbage cans". In comics, I think we just call that the 1980's.
And so, we've made it through the first decade of the 20th Century! Are you excited for the next ten years? Well, Batman certainly is! Just look at that grin.
-- Well, that was kinda dry, wun'tit? It's difficult to really analyze something like this... so we're not going to. Upon reading this, I feel like these were neat little succinct looks at American History... which, I think any interested young person (or adult, I guess) could get something from. All told, not a bad package insofar as the delivery of the information. It was easy to read, and (just barely) more engaging than a textbook. Probably not the worst way to introduce a youngster to the material. The art... was kind of a mixed bag. Doesn't really feel like anybody involved on that side of the table (outside of a couple) really brought their "A" Game. I'm never really a fan of "jam" issues, however, considering what this book is all about, I suppose I could live with it. Overall... a pretty strange little novelty. It might not be worth your time to read... but, as an interesting piece for your collection, I'd say it might just be worth having. I definitely wouldn't spend more than a buck or two... though, I might nudge up if the book came complete with stamps already included. And so, we wrap up April... when you come back tomorrow, you might wanna wear shades because our future's so... well, you know. -- Interesting Ads:
