Shanna Showcase 11: Ka-Zar the Savage (1981) & Marvel Comics Presents #13 (Feb. 1989)

It's been a while since I've touched on the adventures of Marvel's greatest jungle queen, Shanna the She-Devil - in in real-time publishing she'd gone more than a decade between bona fide solo adventures, but the short story in Marvel Comics Presents #13 is a good one and totally worth the wait!

Before getting to that Bruce Jones joint, I'll acknowledge the series Ka-Zar the Savage which was Shanna's home for a few years.  There she enjoyed several adventures with Ka-Zar and everyone's favorite sabre-toothed tiger, Zabu.  Most of these stories were written by Bruce Jones, and featured some great art by the likes of Brent Anderson, Ron Frenz & Armando Gil.  Ka-Zar the Savage was one of Marvel's Direct Market books, meaning it was sold directly through comics shop or mail order.  Direct titles could skirt the Comics Code a bit, and part of their package was a wraparound cover - Ka-Zar had several awesome wraparounds, a couple of which I'll reproduce below.

Download this episode HERE!  Also, check out previous Shanna Showcases & other content from I'm the Gun on iTunes.

Theme created using a sample of 'Shotgun' by Duran Duran.

She's not crazy - she's Shanna

Bruce Jones - equally excellent drawings of people & animals

Creative use of a rifle

Cruel sense of humor extracts a confession

Ron Frenz & Armando Gil

Armando Gil

Armando Gil

Reboot Review 8: Legion of Super-Heroes #68 & Legionnaires #25 (May 1995)

Get your bug spray ready!

In this episode of Reboot Review, I'll be taking a look at Legion of Super-Heroes books dated May 1995.  These issues conclude the showdown with Legionnaire-killer, Tangleweb!  Plus, the reintroduction of a villain nobody was asking for: The Composite Superman - the man with the Legion of Super-Powers gets a reboot twist!

Download this episode HERE!

Check out panels & pages from the issues below, and be sure to look for previous episodes of Reboot Review on iTunes!

Theme created using a sample of 'Shotgun' by Duran Duran.

Tangleweb - one bad ass bug

Laurel's proud of herself

Monologue time for Saturn Girl

Re-introduction of the Composite (Super)Man

Famous 1st Edition - My First Comic: Super-Villain Classics #1 (May 1983)

Do you remember your 1st comic?  Mine was Super-Villain Classics #1 published by Marvel Comics featuring the origin of Galactus, Devourer of Worlds!

I didn't realize it at the time, but this one-off issue was cobbled together from pieces of older comics (mostly by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby), and assembled to present a definitive chronology of Galactus' earliest days.  This comic didn't make me a huge Galactus fan, though the big guy does claim a special place in my heart.  The comic did help inform my collecting tastes & habits even at the young age of 6 years old.

I talk a little bit about this in the latest episode of I'm the Gun, which you can download HERE.  I'll also, of course, be recapping the issue, and providing images below.

Shattered thought spheres prove the situation is dire on Taa

I'm really curious about other collectors' 1st comics, and how their collections & tastes have been influenced by them, so please let me know!  Leave a comment below or email me at imthegun@gmail.com

Also, please check out previous episodes of I'm the Gun on iTunes.

Theme created using a sample of 'Shotgun' by Duran Duran.

My introduction to 'Kirby Krackle'

The birth of Galactus by Byrne?

The Watcher picks an opportune time to adhere to his 'observe only' mandate

What super-geniuses fire on Galactus?

Galactus - the ultimate outsider artist and his creation, Taa 2

Reboot Review 7: Legion of Super-Heroes #67 & Legionnaires #24 (Apr. 1995)

Reboot Review #7 time!  This episode I'll be taking a look at Legion of Super-Heroes books dated April 1995!  These issues conclude the hunt for Tangleweb, the Legion's 1st repeat villain, and the bug responsible for the Legion's 1st casualty, Kid Quantum! Plus, the xenophobic organization The White Triangle escalates its war on aliens - at the expense of Triad!

Download this episode HERE!

Check out panels & pages from the issues below, and be sure to look for previous episodes of Reboot Review on iTunes!
Theme created using a sample of 'Shotgun' by Duran Duran.

Faced with a planet of Tanglewebs

Triad attacked by the White Triangle

Valor watches over Granny's deathbed

The procedure was a success + Next!

Happy Halloween, Dr. Thirteen!

Cover jam by Leonard Starr & Jim Aparo

Happy Halloween!  To celebrate, this episode of I'm the Gun takes a look at DC's Doctor of Debunk, the Physician of Phenomenology,  Dr. Thirteen!

We'll start with a brief (very brief) publishing history, followed by a look at the good Doctor's very 1st appearance in Star Spangled Comics #122, from November 1951.  Next up is a recap of a 3-part story from Ghosts #s 97-99 (Feb.-Apr. 1981 ) featuring Dr. 13 in confrontation with DC's foremost spirit avenger, The Spectre!

Get your pumpkin buckets ready and download this episode HERE.  Check out previous episodes of I'm the Gun on iTunes, and scroll down for some eerie images from these issues below!

Theme created using a sample of 'Shotgun' by Duran Duran.

Like a skeptical Bruce Wayne, Dr. Thirteen sets up shop.

Dr. Thirteen, feet firmly planted on the ground, watches The Spectre execute terrorists

Another execution - The Spectre debunks the Curse of the 13

Thousands of dead in a queue fail to convince Dr. Thirteen

Bonus! Who's Dr. Thirteen?

Shanna Showcase 10: Savage Tales #10 (June 1975) & Rampaging Hulk #9 (Apr. 1978)

This time out we're taking a look at two of Marvel Comics' black & white bi-monthly magazines that have Shanna The She-Devil back-up stories!  Savage Tales #10's story continues Shanna's search for Raga Shah, the man responsible for killing a few of her closest companions!

Issue #9 of Rampaging Hulk contains the pay-off to Shanna's quest for vengeance, and includes a special portfolio section featuring absolutely stunning pencil sketches of our favorite jungle queen by Tony DeZuniga!

Download this episode HERE & find previous episodes of Shanna Showcase on iTunes.  Below, you'll find some of the gorgeous art from these stories - including some from an art team that's no stranger to Shanna, Ross Andru & Vince Colletta and some stunning work by Tony DeZuniga!

Theme created using a sample of 'Shotgun' by Duran Duran.

Shanna, again from the pen & pencil of Ross Andru & Vince Colletta - at her most violent

The Pit & The Pendulum

From the Shanna Portfolio

Shanna plays a dangerous game with her pet python

Bond-busting adrenaline - fighting with the ferocity of a jungle cat

Closure for Shanna - Raga Shah meets a chilling end

Reboot Review 6: Legion of Super-Heroes #66 & Legionnaires #23 (Mar. 1995)

It's time for Reboot Review #5!  This time out, I'll be taking a look at Legion of Super-Heroes books dated March 1995!  These issues conclude the acceptance of 3 new members, and a ladies' night out!

Download this episode HERE!

Lots of scans this time out, so check out panels & pages from the issues below, and be sure to look for previous episodes of Reboot Review on iTunes!

Theme created using a sample of 'Shotgun' by Duran Duran.

A troubling attitude from Andromeda

A Gates sighting

Shrinking Violet's quiet confidence

Kinetix makes an impression of Cham & Leviathan

Brainiac curbs his tongue - for some reason

'Empire' in the background

Flight rings!

One girl down

A little awkwardness between Cos & Saturn Girl

Andromeda spots a white triangle

Violet = Kinetix's Barbie doll?