G. I. JOE Season 3.1 -- Chapter One

Another chapter from my G. I. JOE novel.  Available now (for free for Unlimited subscribers!) at Amazon.  Reviews would be very welcome...

CHAPTER ONE

“Facing increasing pressure on the Pentagon budget, the Air Force now plans on ending development of a weapon system designed to eradicate Soviet satellites in space. Meanwhile, South Korean opposition leaders have declared the results of its recent presidential election invalid, due to what they deem ‘widespread fraud.’

“Back at home, Finn’s Point National Cemetery will be the site of a rare exhumation today. The body of E4 Specialist Colin Kristofer is expected to be exhumed, following recent reports of links between Kristofer and the notorious head of terrorist organization Cobra Command. Until recently, the masked fanatic’s identity was a stubborn mystery to authorities.

“We’ll be back with more headlines for this Friday, December 18^th. But first, a message from the new and improved Red Rocket Burgers. Have you ridden the rocket today?”

X-Men: The Animated Series – The Forgotten Original Ending

My latest CBR piece, looking back on those abandoned closing credits.  Did you know they were censored for your protection?

When the Animated Justice League Got Existential

This week on CBR, I look back on the animated Justice League for the first time. What does a green Martian have to teach us about ourselves?

Micro-Reviews: G. I. JOE, Vol. 1, Part Two

G. I. JOE #6 (December 1982). Herb Trimpe flexing his Kirby muscles on the cover.

The storyline is another one plotted/drawn by Trimpe, scripted by Hama. An experimental Russian craft has crashed in Afghanistan. Both Russia and Cobra want it, conflicts ensue.

Oh, also, Hawk is a traitor.

Resolving that DCAU Wonder Woman Conundrum

This week at CBR, I look back on the pesky continuity issue that interfered with Wonder Woman's DCAU debut.

Micro-Reviews: G. I. JOE, Vol. 1, Part One

Original Marvel trade of the G. I. JOE series. Only took 20 years to get a reprint collection.

When Joe Quesada took over Marvel, a fan asked if he’d pursue the rights of G. I. JOE. His response, I interpreted at the time, was arrogantly dismissive.

When a fan obtained the rights, wrote it himself and published it through Image -- Massive hit. Marvel’s response?

"...it felt like a kiss."

I've reached what many would call the greatest Adventures story ever, and a little-known comic with a connection to the story.  Mad Love is this week's focus in Adventure(s) Time.

It's Hotter Than Hell...And I'm The Winner

Pleased to announce I'm the winner of Liberty Island's "Hotter Than Hell" Heroes Vs. Villain fiction contest.  The Villain side of the contest, that is.  My entry is the first chapter in a novel told from the villain's point of view (a baddie who's just now realizing the artifice surrounding his existence.)  You can read The Problematic Journey of Mr. Scratch here.

If you want to vote for the Villain to win, just follow this link. Thanks for your support!

G. I. JOE Season 3.1 -- Prologue

My G. I. JOE novel is on sale at Amazon now (available for free if you're an Unlimited subscriber!)  Here's a preview of the opening chapter.  If you check out the book, I'd love to hear what you think.

PROLOGUE

A fine game of poker, ruined by a kicked down door and an invasion from America’s highly trained special missions force.

Their mission? To defend a crooked, crumbling institution and ruin a lazy Tuesday afternoon game of No River Hold’Em. That’s what any self-respecting Viper would tell you.

McMichael was the first to move, to flip the table over and use it as cover. He’d been stationed in this factory for months now, him and a dozen Vipers overlooking one of their emperor’s pet operations. Didn’t seem like a dangerous assignment; keep an eye on the plant, make sure the reconnaissance aircraft funded by the Benzheen government ended up where it belonged. (Cobra clutches, naturally.)

How’d the Joes find out about this one? It had to be the tenth invasion of a Cobra op in recent weeks. McMichael just knew Serpentor would be on fire during his next address. Months had passed since anyone had heard from him, in spite of the Vipers receiving numerous assurances that all was well with their emperor.

Looking Back on the..."Controversial" Joker Redesign

In my latest Adventure(s) Time post, I examine the evolution of the Joker's look in the DCAU, which includes that rather unpopular design from the New Adventures days.

Batman Beyond - When Bruce Wayne Kept Taking Back the Cowl

My latest Adventure(s) Time piece on Batman Beyond is up on CBR, looking back on those times Bruce Wayne put down his Geritol and became Batman again.

G. I. JOE: Season 3.1 -- My Latest Project!

Okay, I hinted earlier that I was doing this, and I wasn't joking.  G. I. JOE: Season 3.1 is on sale now at Amazon.  The story is my tribute to the 1980s animated series, only dramatized for an adult audience of today.  I discuss in detail the story in a post at Gentlemen of Leisure if you're curious.  If you're a fan of G. I. JOE, especially those halcyon syndication days of yore, I think you'll find something to enjoy.

The book is free if you're a Kindle Unlimited member.  That means I get zero royalties if you read it that way, but I suppose it's a sacrifice I'll make to help out this poor struggling organization.  If you willing to give the book a shot, I'd love to hear your thoughts.  As always, thanks for your support, guys.

Batman: The Animated Series - When Killer Croc Found Love

This week, I'm looking back at two separate stories exploring Killer Croc's love life. This means I'm looking back on one of the nastiest episodes of Batman: The Animated Series, as well.

"'Tis better to have loved and lost, and made a small profit..."

Today at CBR, I look back at the very first Adventures comic ever, and "Birds of a Feather," the Penguin episode most remember as his strongest showing.

"McGurk?! Hey, Has Anyone Seen McGurk?"

At CBR, I look back at Superman: The Animated Series' "Mxyzpixilated" episode, and the issue of Mark Millar's Superman Adventures that everyone went crazy over.

And, unrelated to anything relating to Superman, aside from the fact that it involves a character with mysterious powers arriving on Earth and helping others, I've been looking back at HBO's short-lived John from Cincinnati at Gentlemen of Leisure.

Batman: The Animated Series - Dick Grayson's Reckoning

Looking back on "Robin's Reckoning" -- the Batman: The Animated Series episodes that are very likely the greatest retelling of Dick Grayson's origin.

Batman: The Animated Series - What Stood in Batman and Talia's Way?

The latest Adventure(s) Time, looking back on the most memorable Batman/Talia episode, and a Batman Adventures issue that plays with the same themes.

The Return of Batman Beyond & His Network-Mandated Sidekick!

The latest Adventure(s) Time, featuring another installment from Batman Beyond, and the beginning of the Batman/Max pairing.  (Also, didn't realize until just now how much Terminal resembles a Steve Ditko character on this cover.)