BotTalk Reviews

The disappointing prequel to The Frost-Giant's Daughter aka The Gods of the North continues. Jim Zub's Frozen Faith part II: The Daughter's Gaze. Conan beats up the three Aesirmen. Hiding in the trees above, Atali (the gossamer G-string wearing, golden-locked daughter of Ymir, the frost-giant) remembers her father's words, that the affairs of men are unworthy of her attention. Niord, the leader of the 3 surly Æsir warriors, appears and offers Conan a deal, the bear's carcass and a week of work to get safe passage to Asgard's border. Conan mentions Venarium where he became a warrior in Conan the Barbarian FCBD 2023. Niord is dispirited that Ymir does not listen to prayers, Conan replies that it's the same for Crom, their mighty mountain god. An Æsir war-horn is heard. It is a cry for help! The Aesirmen and Conan rush to the rescue. Conan saves one Æsir from a raided and burning fort. The Aesirmen and Conan douse the flames. Niord, fearing for the young Cimmer...

Lore confronts the Pleroma and in the process kills Charles Evans.  He has a bomb that can tear the Pleroma, and the rest of the universe, apart and he wants only one thing... for Sisko to give Lore his position as Emissary.  As Lore and Sisko verbally fight one another T'Lir and Sato infiltrate Lore's Bird of Prey.  They manage to escape with Data's head.  Back in the Pleroma, after making no progress with the higher beings nor Sisko, Lore activates the bomb and the universe begins to tear itself apart as the Theseus speeds away.   There is a lot going on in this issue.  The verbal confrontations between Sisko and Lore, and Sisko and his mother are the big scenes here.  Though with all the super powered, 'higher' beings you'd think there would be more of a confrontation.  But other than Charlie attempting to confront Lore, there are no fireworks here.  It gives the higher beings the sense of being above even this situation, but the double ed...

Who is this Benjamin Marra? What is he known for? His great illustrations for MLB.com and NYTimes.com The GRAMMY nominated Warfaring Strangers: Acid Nightmares album from The Numero Group His contribution to Cryptozoo (2021) He is Jake Rhodes aka Space Cowboy (Channel Frederator) His cameo in The Education of Fredrick Fitzell (2020) The Indie Rock Universe special foldout in Rolling Stone magazine #1039 The title sequence for Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich (2018) When the King Held Court (30 for 30 Shorts) Masters of the Powerskull Sword in Adventure Time Comics #21 Robot Overlord Land in Little Nemo: Dream Another Dream Hellcloud Awaits in Bloodshot Reborn Annual 2016 U.S. Agent vs. the Terror-Saur!! in Strange Tales II #3 Space-Werewolf Biker Gang Zealots Gone Wild!! in Twisted Savage Dragon Funnies Beachhead in Heavy Metal Magazine #280-281 Teen Swamp Monster Love in I Feel Love   Casino Squat in Lethal Comics Presents: Psycho Goreman Album cover art for Peter Peter (Bien...

Prepare for battle? Uh sure! With Robert Kirkman’s Void Rivals having launched Skybound’s Energon Universe, noted writer/artist rolled-into-one Daniel Warren Johnson takes the reins on the linchpin of this initiative, the flagship Transformers comic series! Well, he maintains the reins on the writing of this series at least, as does Mike Spicer on colors. Jorge Corona has taken over regular penciling duties with a style that barely misses a step from DWJ’s previous efforts. In this eleventh issue, the Autobots mount a rescue mission to save Jazz and Cliffjumper from Shockwave’s torture, but not everyone’s on the same page when it comes to engaging the enemy! Why, who’s got a problem with slagging ‘Cons?? Jeez, where do I start? Optimus wants to take the “high road”, Elita One wants to take out their enemies once and for all, Carly just wants to be useful, and Beachcomber doesn’t want to do anything at all! The good guys are all over the map in this issue about agreeing what is necessa...

Creators : Kelly Thompson (Writer), Marco Ferrari (Artist), Lee  Loughridge (Colorist), Rus Wooton (Letterer) Story : Scarlett continues her infiltration mission into Sato II: The Tiger while the rest of the Clan fight in Sato III: Sakura.  While Scarlett is able to bypass some security, she does have to take some out, both lethally and non-lethally.  Though injured in her encounters with tower security, Scarlett continues down to take out a power source so the rest of the ninjas can steal a weapon.  Scarlett is successful in her mission and is able to rejoin her allies in the other tower, where she has a few, hushed, words with Jinx.  However, the buyer for the weapon they stole arrives in a helicopter with a familiar red logo.  Writing : Most of this issue just focuses on Scarlett completing her mission and doesn't move the overall plot forward too much.  We do get more insight into Scarlett through this and see that if she cannot kill everyone, she'...

Filled with interviews and many, many images this Hardcover book gives us a look at the making of the original series, animated series and first six films.  If you are looking for something new, some insight or new piece of trivia you won't find it here.  You will find often told tales from the cast and those involved behind the scenes.  Talking points that have been repeated ad nauseam over the years in interviews, dvd extras, convention appearances, autobiographies and other behind the scenes books.  DeForest Kelley recounts the infamous 'favorite fan letter marijuana cigarette' story.  I do find it interesting that the infamous kiss from 'Plato's Stepchildren' is only given one little blurb.  The animated series gets scant coverage, a few measly pages.   There are a few images here that I haven't seen in ages.  In its over sixty year existence there are only so many 'fresh' images out there.  Usually, you get the standard publicity images...

The killer states he intends to transform Kate.  Using discarded pieces of the Creature he will remake her in its image, just as he has remade himself.  Eventually, she manages to escape and puts a gun to the back of his head... only for the real Creature to attack.  It leaves him mangled and Kate is the one to finish him off in a fit of rage.  The Creature swims off into dark waters of the lagoon, leaving Kate behind. This is so anti-climatic and uneventful.  Having the killer remake himself with pieces of the Creature was an interesting idea.  Him wanting to remold Kate could have been interesting too.  But none of this goes anywhere.  Again, the Creature is but a bit player in this mini-series.  He simply swims away, leaving Kate with blood on her hands.  She is still the same broken character we encountered in issue one.  Maybe that is the point, but it is extremely unsatisfying.   five out of ten.

We go back to the beginning, before the Black Stone, before Thulsa Doom, Conan is a youth from the south, he still has his old Pictish sword (Brule's blade freshly acquired at Venarium in Conan the Barbarian FCBD 2023). Conan ventures North to Asgard in this prequel to The Frost-Giant's Daughter aka The Gods of the North. Jim Zub's Frozen Faith part 1: Cold Comfort starts now! Conan remembers Lyolf training him for combat with wooden sticks. The young Cimmerian questions the existence of his deity Crom, preferring to trust his five human senses, his own strength and steel weaponry. Conan sees a pack of wolves eating a human corpse next to a campsite. For no reason and with no strategy whatsoever he immediately attacks the pack. The wolves naturally overpower him. Conan loses his sword. Conan remembers asking his father the location of Crom's mountain. His father confirming that Crom resides on all mountains and in the souls of all Cimmerians. Conan's father is sure ...