⭐ Issue Number 3 - Dated 27th July, 1991 ⭐
TRANCERS ● PREDATORS ● MOBSTERS ● CYBERNAUTS ● SPACE-CADETS
☆ Conan: Cauldron of the Doomed:
Part One ☆
Part One ☆
Plot + Art: Buscema | Dialogue: Fleisher
I like how the five strips aren't always placed in the same order; it makes it feel less predictable, somehow. It's Conan's turn to be first, with a new story arc that begins with him wrestling one-on-one a man that resembles an overweight executioner, complete with black hood.
The onlookers bet on who will be victorious, but Conan is there for himself, not them, and knows he will win.
His man-handling draws the attentions of an educated lady, who stands out from the crowd in a way that screams 'this one is bad news', but Conan has already shown that he'll walk into a trap if led by a beautiful woman (i.e. Havoc #1-2, The Frost Giant's Daughter), so we can expect no less of him now. Or is he being disingenuous, playing along so that he gets deeper to the truth? Time will tell - it's a four-part story.
☆ Ghost Rider: Life's Blood: Part Three ☆
Script: Mackie | Art: Saltares / Texeira / Wright
One should never underestimate the stupidity of comic-book cops. If you see a man who has a skull for a head, it'd be natural to assume it's some kind of mask. I've no issue with that. But if that same man's entire head is literally on fire and he isn't screaming from the pain, then I'm pretty sure it'd be just as natural to think there's something amiss.
Regardless, we get to see hotheaded Ghost Rider erupt with supernatural power, with chains that seemingly move by themselves and a showy but useful display of super-strength. If he didn't look like a 1980s Heavy Metal album cover, he'd probably seem like just another super-hero with a guiding principle; he even hits with a 'Ka-Pow!' and a...
☆ Deathlok: The Brains of the Outfit: Part Two ☆
Script: McDuffie / Wright | Art: Guice / Wright
Yet again the Deathlok character hardly features in the story that he's named for, being seen on a video screen only. It's because in Havoc readers were given small parts of a longer story, one that had been broken up into smaller, initially unplanned chunks. The "While in another section of the building..." opening caption really drives that home.
But it's not all bad. The main focus is once more Michael. It reaffirms his moral standing and shows him (and us) classified information about the company that he works for, which is an affront to his beliefs. It's made pretty clear that Michael's sense of right and wrong is going to land him in trouble with his unconscionable employers.
☆ The Star Slammers: Part Three ☆
Script + Art: Walter Simonson
The mysterious trio of Star Slammers are finally given names in the opening caption box: Sphere (Red); Jalaia (Orange); and Ethon (Blue). We see them together on their ship, without helmets or the stoic personas of business getting in the way of characterisation. We're not told how long they've been together, but we're shown how close they are to each individual other, which gives some indication. We also learn why they're doing what they do, and even get some reminiscing that adds backstory to both the person recollecting the past and the world, in general.
Of all the strips in Issue 03, The Star Slammers feels like it advances its leading characters the most in the short page count, which is the opposite of how it's been up until now. They finally feel like they deserve to be included.
☆ RoboCop: Kombat Zone: Part Three ☆
Script: Alan Grant | Art: Sullivan / DeMulder / White
The Nixco executives discuss their cyborg's capabilities, which we later witness first hand. It's a clever device that encourages forward-thinking readers to predict how Robo will combat the model when they inevitably meet.
The world outside of the story's immediate setting gets a little more colour, once more from the news reports - it's science gone mad, which can be seen as reflective of the smaller picture, too.
When Robo takes centre stage he goes full Dredd. Overall, while there's nothing particularly amazing in part three, it moves events along well-enough and the foreshadowing is an effective way to sustain interest.
- End -
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