Some ‘Conan’, A Little ‘Hillbilly’ And A Serving Of ‘Creepshow’…

This was going to be a post about however many episodes of ‘Rings of Power’ I watched, last night, until I gave the first episode about twenty minutes and had to turn it off. I will give it another go but, what was all that about? A recap full of bits that I’m 95% sure weren’t in the last season, a five year time jump and then another jump to ‘thousands of years earlier’. I actually stopped, to make sure I was watching the first episode, and thought ‘nope, my head isn’t up to this tonight.’ I’ll leave it a few days and see if a second viewing makes any difference.

Anyway…

That would have left me in a bit of a spot, for todays post, but earlier yesterday afternoon, I’d found my way to Forbidden Planet and picked up some comics (I did a little Christmas Shopping too, it wasn’t all about me) A couple of regular purchases and one ‘speculative’. Lets have a quick chat about them :o)

‘Conan The Barbarian #36’ – Zub, Dagnino, Rodriguez (Titan Comics/Heroic Signatures)

The ‘Cursed Shores’ storyline reaches a conclusion that is slightly held up, by a need for some ‘re-capping’, but is nevertheless as savage and chilling (in equal measure) as ever. So much so, in fact, that by the end, Zub feels that Conan and Valeria deserve a little break before heading into adventure again. I’d have to agree with him, judging by that final confrontation with a literal Elder God… I needed a little distraction, after a hospital appointment, and Zub & Dagnino once again proved more than up to holding up their end of the deal. It’s the best feeling to see Conan get this treatment every month and if you hadn’t realised already, I’m here for the duration now.

‘Hillbilly: The Treason of Twelve-Toe Maggie #2’ – Eric Powell (Dark Horse Comics/Albatross Funnybooks)

Twelve-Toe Maggie has gone to flaunt her newly found power in Hell and taken Rondel with her. Rondel must match her boasts with his deeds and while he faces off against demons, his friends must strike a hard bargain of their own, if they are to rescue him…

I’ll be honest, there’s not a lot that I can say about #2 that I haven’t already said about #1; both in terms of the plot and the artwork. It’s what I keep coming back, to Powell’s work, for though so I’m happy with this dreamlike vision of what an American Myth might look like.

What I will say though is that the appearance of an old favourite was cause for a little celebration on my part. Maybe Rondel’s world and The Goon’s are one and the same?

‘Creepshow Vol.5, #2’ – Crook, Killian, Sanders, Rivas (Image)

Every so often, I like to take a chance on a comic that I wouldn’t normally pick up. This time round, I thought I’d give ‘Creepshow Vol.5. #2’ a shot and… It was literally a ‘half and half’ read.

The artwork for ‘What the Water Provides’ was gorgeous but the the plot didn’t quite live up to it. Not a bad read (and definitely in the spririt of ‘Creepshow’) but not one that I’ll remember for too long.

‘The Storm’ though… The artwork wasn’t bad but was completely left in the dark by a plot that made me do a little double-take when I realised the identity of the ghost visiting Clyde, that was a great touch.

I don’t know if I’ll pick up more ‘Creepshow’ comics but I’m glad I got a chance to read ‘The Storm’ :o)