Tom Strong #12

Written by: Alan Moore

Art by: Chris Sprouse

So, the end of last issue found Tom Strong and Tom 'Doc' Strange orbiting Terra Obscura. They gawk, open jawed, at an alien monstrosity boring into the surface of the planet. What do the two strongest and smartest men in the ABC universe do?

They call in reinforcements.

'Doc' leases the hypersaucer to save his fellow S.M.A.S.H members get out of the time loop orbit they've stuck in and Tom brings everyone up to speed. The heroes have been in stasis for 30 years and have no clue what is going on. One of their own, the Terror, fell in combat against the alien and Tom has the tough job of letting the Terror's side-kick know about his mentor's death. Here we learn of the Terror's final project: a digitized version of himself contained in hard light projectors.

With a newly revived Terror in tow, S.M.A.S.H heads toward the South Pole to take on the alien. The Terror is able to enter the alien's brain and drive him into the sun.

This is a satisfying ending to a nice story - a bit heavy handed on the secondary characters, but it does give a feel that there is more to come from the world of Terra Obscura. Chris's art is perfect, as usual. Though Tom and 'Doc' look very similar, there isn't a panel where I couldn't tell them apart. And the reappearance of the Terror is one of the best panels on the series.

I think this is a good stopping point for Tom Strong - we'll revisit him again. Who knows what I'll feel like reading tomorrow. Until I decide - happy reading.

Tom Strong #11

Written by: Alan Moore

Art by: Chris Sprouse

After a couple of anthology issues, Tom Strong is back with an issue (or 2) long story about a distant planet that resembles our own - but things there aren't quite the way they should be.

The issue opens with a meteor crash; Tom is on the scene and quickly finds out it's no meteor that crash in the center of Millennium City - it's Tom Strange (Terra Obscura's version of Tom Strong). Tom Strange, or Doc as he likes to be called, ran across the entire Milky Way to reach Earth and Tom Strong because his home is in danger. Apparently, a meteor hit Terra Obscura in its formative years that housed a giant alien being. It attacked Terra Obcura and S.M.A.S.H ( the Society of Major American Science Heroes) was defeated. Doc escaped and ran for 30 years to get help.

Tom and Doc suit up the Hypersaucer and head for Terra Obscura; along the way Tom talks about "ghost particles" and Golden Age comics. They finally reach Doc's world and find the fallen Science Heroes trapped in orbit and the invader mining away at the South Pole.

To be continued...

Now this is a comic book adventure. Alan Moore asks the reader to let him take the reigns and is treated to one heck of a ride. No guns, no anti-heroes, no multi-part, dollar sucking crossovers. Just science fiction pulp at its best. Chris's art is stunning as always. This issue and the one that follows put Tom Strong on my list of all time favorite comic series. This story is like fresh squeezed orange juice - pulpy and refreshing.

Go buy it - until tomorrow, happy reading.

Tom Strong #10

Written by: Alan Moore

Art by: see below

Three more short adventures in Millennium City with Tom Strong.

Tom Strong and his Phantom Autogyro - Gary Gianni

Tom ventures into the realm of the dead to learn a bit more about his parents - but the past is often better left dead. A good little tale that sheds a bit more light on the relationship between Tom's mother and Father. Gianni's art is wonderfully spectral; his ghosts seem like they are made from ether on the page. Nice little tale that is a nod to the hero's journey in general.

Funnyland! - Chris Sprouse

Tom invents a searchboard that allows him to jump between parallel universes; he ends up in a forest full of talking animals. There Tom is confronted by Warren Strong - a anthropomorphous rabbit version of himself. Together they save Patience ( a rabbit version of Dhula) from the evil clutches of the fox faced Basil Saveen.

This was a particularly enjoyable story - Chris's art was a nice change in style (fuzzy animals and all) and the script was full of comedy. Good read.

Too Many Teslas? - Chris Sprouse

Tesla steals her Dad's searchboard and opens up a portal to an alternate reality; what come through the portal is the real surprise. A nice romp through alternate realities (or should I say genres) and a variety of nice reimaginings of both Tesla and Tom. I liked the nods to Crisis type Earth naming. Another fine story from the Moore & Sprouse camp.

This has probably been my favorite issue so far. But tomorrow is another day - Happy reading.

Tom Strong #9

Written by: Alan Moore

Art by: see below

The anthology format continues in this issue featuring Millennium City's favorite science-hero, Tom Strong.

Terror Temple of Tayasal - Paul Chadwick

On his way to Attabar Teru, Tom is sidetracked by a group of archaeologists in South America. They seem to have stumbled upon a rather large carapace that's really old. Tom takes off into the jungle looking for clues and stumbles upon an ancient temple and its lone inhabitant - a piece of a biological spacecraft.

This is a nice story - good twist in the plot, nice characterization. Paul Chadwick's art is probably the best take on Tom Strong I've seen from an artist other than Chris Sprouse. Good stuff.

Volcano Dreams - Chris Sprouse

This is a tale of Dhula and her vision quest. It's okay - but it feels unnecessary. Nice ending. Chris's art is on par with everything I've seen from him on this title. The whole story seems almost too formulaic.

Flip Additude - Chris Sprouse

Tesla and Solomon fight a girl who can shift the center of gravity, making the world tip over on its side. Tesla find out the girl is the daughter of a former foe of Tom's and they fight. Solomon points out how the boots that tip the world are a physical impossibility, and Tesla retorts with "They're magic boots." Laughs the whole story through. Chris, again, is almost flawless on his execution here. Well written, well drawn.

All around good issue; kind of wish this series had more single story issues. But what can I do about it. Until tomorrow - happy reading.

Tom Strong #8

Written by: Alan Moore

Art by: see below

This is first issue of Tom Ttrong in an anthology format - it tells 3 different stories.

Rides of the Lost Mesa - Alan Weiss

Tom and Solomon ride into a desert town set on top of a mesa; the inhabitants have 3 eyes, herd squid like creatures, and think it's the year 1850. Tom Strong shows up to put an end to this. I like the blend of western and sci-fi elements in this story. All around, it's a good read - Alan Weiss' art is a little to muscular for me. I prefer Sprouse's angular bulk to the defined muscular look Alan Weiss give him.

The Old Skool - Chris Sprouse

I hate this story. It centers on the Strongmen of America and I find it to be hard to read and pointless in general. I understand what Alan Moore is trying to do with these characters - add a sense of Golden Age innocence, but it just comes off as forced. The art is very nice, especially the giant robots.

Sparks - Chris Sprouse

This is a solo Tesla story - it's okay. She goes into an active volcano in her gem suit (think clear suit of armor) to see what is causing all the shaking. There she encounter 3 fire men spirit things who attack her. Their boss shows up and chases them off and plants a kiss on Tesla's cheek. A bit sappy, but Valentine's Day is right around the corner. The art is very well done - but the story is mediocre.

All in all this isn't a bad issue, just not up to par with the ones that came before it in this series.

Tom Strong #7

Written by: Alan Moore

Art by: Chris Sprouse and Gary Frank

At the end of last issue, we were introduced to Tom and Ingrid's son, Albrecht. Ingrid stole some of Tom's genetic material during their first meeting and had Albrecht, who she raised as a Nazi.

Now, Tom and Albrecht are introduced; Tom tells Albrecht there is a better way of thinking and Albrecht punches him in the face. They scrap and Tom decides to try another route. The look into the Time Viewer...

... and the year is 2050; Tom is in stasis recovery and Albrecht shows up to menace Millennium City. Tesla, Tom's daughter, goes out to take care of her half-brother. They fight and the match is a draw until Tom shows up- and he's pissed. Tom and Albrecht fight and the Strongmen of America come to Tom's aid. Something is said about Saveen being dead for 80 years and Tom takes Albrecht back to the Stronghold to be rehabilitated...

... and in the present it's revealed that Saveen is really dead and the man in front of Tom is Denby Jilks, master of disguise! Ingrid gets pissed, takes her son and is about to leave when who should show up but Dhula - and she's pissed. She beats the stuffing out of Ingrid and tells her never to show her face in Millennium City again.

Story ends with Tom's 100th birthday celebration.

I really enjoyed the way these last couple of issues were set up. The story in a story plotting was done very well. Added a lot of dimension and history to a kind of young (in terms of number of issues) character. Chris' art is great as usual and Gary Frank draws some wicked left hooks. All around nice ending to the first multi issues arc.

Buy it here - and happy readings.

Tom Strong #6

Written by: Alan Moore

Art by: Chris Sprouse and Dave Gibbons

Well, the last issue ended with a gloved hand running across a tabletop and Tom's face in shock. We find out in this issue that the hand belongs to none other than Paul Saveen - Tom's oldest and most deadly foe.

Of course, the room is booby trapped and begins to fill with water. Tom quickly dons his custom breather and floats to safety - only to find himself in a room filled with statues of his old foes. A flash back occurs...

... We see a young Tom Strong being called on by Pneuman (Tom's steam powered sidekick) who tells him that a reporter by the name of Greta has gone missing. Tom rushes out and finds her in the clutched of Paul Saveen, who is about to unleash his phlogisten (the liquid form of heat) upon an unsuspecting Millennium City. Tom breaks out, kicks some ass and Paul falls into a vat of the liquid heat...

Back in the present, the statue of Ingrid Weiss comes to life, she and Tom exchange blows and end up in a room with Saveen in a high back char on a stage. Ingrid stops the fight and tells Tom she has a surprise for him. She walks up to the stage and a young boy emerges; Saveen says "Some one is here to see you," - and that's the end.

Nice cliffhanger for an all around nicely paced multi issue story.

As always, Sprouse had a handle on these characters (he did co-create Tom) - every panel is just perfect. Gibbon's art is okay; nothing really memorable in either the good or bad sense.

We'll find out tomorrow who this young boy is and what kind of role he plays in Tom's life tomorrow. If you want to pick this issue up, get it from MyComicShop.

Tom Strong #5

Written by: Alan Moore

Art by: Chris Sprouse and Jerry Ordway

After the shocker ending of the last issue, out heroic Tom Strong finds himself transported back to the early days of Earth - and its sole continent, Pangaea.

The issue opens with Tom roaming an alien looking landscape and taping his thoughts. He recalls another adventure that took place with the same scenery. We are treated with an 8 page short abut Tom and Dhula's adventure in time; how they end up on primal Earth and how they meet up with a hostile intelligent mold. The mold can imitate anything really, and pretends to be Dhula (after capturing her) to lure Tom into a fight. The brawl and thing look grim, when Tom and Dhula are saved by the clock on their time machine.

Now, Tom is here again and the mold - now calling itself the Pangeaen is still holding a grudge. He's pretty pissed about his fall dominant species on Earth and wants to take it out on Tom; but before he does, the Pangeaen tells Tom about his association with Ingrid Weiss (from last issue) and the location of a time machine left behind by Ingrid. The fight and Tom ends up in the time machine and the Pangeaen is killed by a meteor shower.

Tom materializes in a room with a replica of a city bearing Swastikas and we are shown a white gloved hand running a finger across a table top. To be continued.

Now, this issue is alright. A bit too wordy on the whole parallel between Tom and Dhula and Adam and Eve. The idea of a species fighting for dominance on a very young Earth is something I had never really spent the time to wrap my brain around. I guess mold could be intelligent. Chris's art is right on par with this character, and he does a fine job with all the creeping horror of the Pangeaen. The flashback's art, by Jerry Ordway, is a nice change of pace - the essence of the characters is there, but they are rendered in a much more playful way.

If you want to read this or any other books I've posted about, MyComicShop has a large selection of back issues.

A nice issue, fun and thought provoking.

Tom Strong #4

Written by: Alan Moore

Art by: Chris Sprouse and Arthur Adams

It's a sleepy morning in the Stronghold when Tom Strong receives a mysterious package saying something about an anniversary. He looks to Dhula and wonders "is today our anniversary?" The still of the morning is interrupted by machine gun fire from incoming biplanes. And this is one reason I love Tom Strong - such unbelievable events are common place, mundane, and happen everyday. No one is surprised the Stronghold is under attack; Tom just springs into action.

As the story moves along, we learn of an adversary of Tom's that was thought to be dead a long time ago - Ingrid Weiss. A flashback ensues, telling the tale of Tom's fist meeting with Ingrid during WWII (illustrated by Arthur Adams - who is one of my favorite comic artists). Flash forward to the present - Tom is hanging out of one of the biplanes, tailing the other one back to Ingrid's liar. Ingrid is there, she and Tom exchange words, the floor opens, tachyons, "So long, Tom Strong."

I love a good cliffhanger. This issue is further proof of the genius of Tom Strong. Brilliant use of flashback makes Ingrid feel like a fully developed character. Kicking female Nazi ass is almost as good as kicking Nazi raptor ass. Chris' art is, once again, top notch. But Arthur Adam's is better. He'll turn up again on Four Color Crusader.

Tom Strong is a refreshing return to form for Alan Moore and friends. No complicated, multi part mega crossovers; just a good clean science fiction / adventure book. Like a breath of fresh air.

I highly recommend this title to anyone sick of Blackest Night or Dark Reign / Siege; get it from MyComicShop.

Tom Strong #3

Written by: Alan Moore

Art by: Chris Sprouse

Tom's adventures continue as he fights Aztecs from a parallel universe bent on conqueror - and their digital deity Quetzalcoatl-9.

Golden ziggurats start popping up all over Millennium City and Tom is the first to investigate. Upon entry, he is assaulted by Aztecs on hover disks with energy weapons (that fight scene is pretty awesome by the way) who subdue him. Tom wakes to find himself strapped to a table about to be "sacrificed " to Quetzalcoatl-9.

A cunning rouse takes place and Tom (with Quetzalcoatl-9's help) is able to escape and free the Digital Deity from the confines of his worshipers. Then all hell breaks lose.

This is a phenomenal story. On a deeper note, this story questions the symbiotic nature of deity and worshiper and calls into question the morality of the things we call divine. Also, there is some pretty good action and a nice face melting scene. I love Chris' art, so detailed. Tom always looks just right - shoulders wide, jaw stern. Like he could take on an army.

Ends with a touching scene between father and daughter.

Millennium City just keeps getting richer and richer with every issue; and the villains are always so inventive and fresh. An Aztec nation that crosses 2000+ parallel Earths. Awesome.

You really should read this issue - get it here.

Well, until tomorrow - happy reading.

Tom Strong #2

Written by: Alan Moore

Art by: Chris Sprouse

This second issues tells the tale of the return of the Modular Man, a villain Tom fought in the 80's, who is capable of regenerating himself through just a single tiny robot. Tom's on Venus, so Tesla ends up dealing with him after some enthusiastic science minded children download his schematics off the Internet. The fist piece they build, builds another then those 2 build 2 more and it keeps going like this until they take up a whole street block.

Then the "Ego" nodes switch on and the Modular Man is capable of speech (he's really a mouth on the side of a high rise). Tesla and company are unable to due anything, so Tom comes back to save the day as only he knows how. He dives into the mouth of the beast, where is poses a novel solution.

I love the ending to this story; a nice comment on beauty in general. The at is fantastic - Chris really does a fine job with these characters. I think Tom is a nice refreshing version of what a science hero should be. Brains always win out over fists.

This is a good jumping on point for new readers as we haven't gotten that far into this series - Tom's rogue's galley is kind of sparse. Get it here and enjoy it. Until tomorrow, happy reading.

Tom Strong #1

Written by: Alan Moore

Art by : Chris Sprouse

After a 11 issue binge of Grendel, I felt I needed to read something to balance out all that anti-hero awesomeness. Tom Strong is just the title to do that. Were Grendel reflects a morally ambivalent trend in comics, this book seems to long for a time when right was right and the bad guys always wore black.

This issue is an origin story told in a different sort of way. The book opens as young Timmy Turbo gets a piece of mail - his official Strongmen of America introduction pack. Included in this pack is a comic entitled How Tom Strong Got Started. Tom's origin unfolds as Timmy reads his comic on the way to school. We see the fateful crash that strands Tom's mother and father on the mystical island of Attabar Teru, Tom's birth, the loss of his parents, his first adventures in Millennium City and his marriage to Dahlua.

Timmy sits, too engrossed in the story to realize that his cable car is under attack by the Blimp Bandits and that his hero, Tom Strong, is fighting them off. Timmy never even notices until he gets off the car and walks past Tom who welcomes him to the Strongmen of America.

Chris' art is fantastic. Just the right blend of old and new styles that give this book an almost futuristic retro look. Moore's script is great - the comic inside a comic idea is still awesome. This is a good opening to one of the overlooked gems in modern comic book history.

If you like your heroes extra pulpy, or are a fan of Alan Moore this is a title you can't miss - Get it from MyComicShop.

Grendel: Black, White and Red #4

Written by: Matt Wagner

Art by: see below

This series of Hunter Rose stories wraps up with this issue. Like the previous issues, this one adds new dimension to the first, and most ruthless, Grendel. I like to anthology format of this book - it allows for a nice variety of artists to showcase their own interpretations of this character.

Devil's Cage - Jason Pearson

This first tale is about what Hunter and Stacy do when they are both bored: she rips up stuffed animals, he kills some muggers. This story shows how the animal urge that Hunter so embodies is hidden in his young ward. I like the cartoony feel of Jason's art; it's the cutest rendition of Stacy I've ever seen.

Devil's Witness - Woodrow Phoenix

A man sees Grendel kill a gangster through a window and is called in by the cops to tell them what he saw. Solid story, tight art, awesome ending.

Best in the book.

Devil's Domain - Chris Sprouse & Jason Martin

Not really sure if there is a story here, in the sense of a plot. It's more like a series of vignettes covering the all the major points seen in Devil By the Deed. I do like the presentation, which also hearkens back to Devil By the Deed - Full page illustration with text below. Chris Sprouse is one of my favorite artist, so I give this story high marks.

Devil's Stigma - Jay Geldhof

Here we get our first real glimpse f the bond between Argent and Stacy - this story shows them telling stories that parallel their lives. It's kind of touching, but that's not what I look for in a Grendel story. The art is so-so, the story is kind of dull. Not enough bodies or aggression.

Devil's Mark - Troy Nixey

You never really think of assassins taking out other assassins, but this what happens in this story. We meet our would-be assassin trailing his mark and find out that his mark works for Grendel, who is in turn trailing the assassin. Interesting ending - sorry for ruining the surprise.

I liked the art, but there was one page with out any red and almost no gray tones. It felt very bare.

Awesome story simply for this line: "Shakes twice. Tucks left."

That wraps up Grendel: Black, White and Red. All in all a good series and worth a read. Tomorrow, the Devil goes to Gotham in Batman/Grendel.

Get the whole run at MyComicShop for less than $1 an issue!