The Marvel Lucky Bag - May 1986.

Thanks to Charlie Horse 47 and Killdumpster for their sponsorship of this post, via the magic of Patreon. 

***

Cinemas.

What places of magic they be.

Why, within them, you can experience a veritable smorgasbord of experiences you couldn't possibly get at home.

And the non-domestic smorgasbord presented to us in May 1986 included the release of such morsels as Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling, No Retreat, No Surrender, Short Circuit, Top Gun, Crawlspace, Poltergeist II, Saving Grace and Blue City.

I must confess I've not heard of most of those films and have only seen Short Circuit and Poltergeist II. I shall, therefore, feel compelled to vote for Poltergeist II as my Movie of the Month.

I suspect others may disagree with me.

A brand new graphic novel enters our life when Marada the She-Wolf experiences the Chris Claremont and John Bolton created thriller in which something or other happens.

But wait.

What's this?

This is made up of stories that originally appeared in 1982's Epic Illustrated?

But, surely, that makes this a trade paperback? Not a graphic novel?

Regardless, the Grand Comics Database informs me the Marada series was conceived as a bunch of Red Sonja tales but had to be modified when Marvel lost the license to use the character.

However, no one's going to care about that.

We're all too busy reading the sensational new comic that's hit our local spinner racks, as He-Man and the Masters of the Universe get their very own comic and Prince Adam demonstrates he does indeed have the power!

However, I know nothing of this opening issue, other than that its contents are titled The Coming of Hordak!

I shall, therefore, assume it deals with Hordak, and his arrival.

Shockingly, as far as I can ascertain, this book will only last for thirteen issues.

And He-Man's not the only one making a Marvel debut, this month.

So is the all-new Ms Marvel when Sharon Ventura's transformed into the second incarnation of the heroine.

Alpha Flight have had their own monthly mag and, now, they bag their first annual, only to find their mansion possessed by the spirit of someone called Gilded Lily who, with the help of Diablo, is after a physical body to inhabit.

And that can only mean one thing.

That she kidnaps Aurora, for exactly that purpose!

But what drama greets us now?

After 20 issues, the latest Micronauts comic hits its final issue!

Does this mean we must abandon all hope of ever getting the Micronauts/He-Man crossover for which we were all so desperately longing?

That would appear to be the case.

As for what happens in this one, I have few clues, other than that it's called Worldhome! and delivered by the minds and fingers of Peter Gillis and Kelley Jones.

Arthur Adams and Bill Sienkiewicz produce a striking cover when Wolfsbane, Cypher, Magik, Karma, Cannonball and Magma join the Hellions.

Meanwhile, Magneto learns about Empath's attack on Tom and Sharon and decides to bring the team home.

A decision that causes Emma Frost to call the police on him.

Which seems a strange decision. Are the police really likely to be able to stop Magneto doing anything?

Also, she's never really struck me as being a, "Calling the police," kind of woman.

I know little of Balder's latest adventure, other than that he rescues Karnilla - and discovers he's been chosen as ruler of Asgard, as seen in Thor's comic, this month.

And, as our hero gets killed in that book, it's perhaps no shock that this proves to be the last appearance of his own mini-series.

The Marvel Lucky Bag - April 1986.

Thanks to Charlie Horse 47 and Killdumpster for their sponsorship of this post, via the magic of Patreon. 

***

Cinemas!

What films were making their debuts within them, during this month in 1986?

These films were: Critters, A Room With a View, Absolute Beginners, Wise Guys and 8 Million Ways to Die.

Of those, I've seen the whole of Critters and some of Absolute Beginners and, Reader, I can declare Critters to be the better of those two features.

I pass no judgement upon the other films.

The Eternals revival is still going and I've no idea what happens in this issue.

However, I do know the Arctic may be a location.

We all love to see a brand new comic send our local spinner racks into a spin, and that means we'll, no doubt, be thrilled to find Droids appearing there.

My razor-sharp senses tells me it's some sort of spin-off from Star Wars and that, this issue, on the planet Dodz, our beloved robots help unseat a greedy governor.

Despite the popularity of Star Wars, I do believe this mag will last for just eight issues.

Having already lasted three times that long, Dreadstar hits its 24th edition - and does so with someone called Monalo defeating someone called Willow and taking her prisoner.

However, this series only has two more issues left in it.

Displaying far more staying power is Dr Strange who hits the 76th issue of his current book - and does so by talking on Iuriale who's a siren, despite looking suspiciously like a gorgon on that cover.

Assuming, of course, that that's her and not someone else entirely.

But it would appear this mag has just five more issues left in it.

Clearly, the death of the Sphinx was nothing but a mere inconvenience to the villain, as he's back again!

I know little of this adventure but I do know Evil Hyperion is killed by Good Hyperion!

I anticipate plenty of action, as the Punisher tries to put a stop to the Trust and their army of Punisher clones!

Holy Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer, Batman! Shades of DC's early 1970s Manhunter revival!

I couldn't claim it's a sight we've never seen before when an article in the Daily Bugle sends Spider-Man over the edge and he sets off on a revenge mission against its publisher.

And I know nothing of events in this one. Other than that the tale within is titled Counterpane and brought to us by J. M. DeMatteis and Jon J. Muth

The Marvel Lucky Bag - March 1986.

Thanks to Charlie Horse 47 and Killdumpster for their sponsorship of this post, via the magic of Patreon. 

***

Thrills, spills and life-changing shocks. That's what I expect when I enter a cinema.

And that's just from eating a choc ice.

But what of the films that were awaiting us as we entered the place of which Elvis Costello once remarked that stars are only painted on the ceiling above?

March 1986 was a month which saw the unleashing of such gems as The Care Bears Movie II: A New Generation, Highlander, Crossroads, Police Academy 3: Back in Training and The Money Pit.

I must confess I don't think I've seen any of those - not even The Care Bears Movie II - but I'm going to have a guess that Highlander is the best of the bunch, as I've actually heard people talking about it, unlike the others.

However, there is always the possibility that I could be wrong in my assessment.

In other news, seeing that list has made me realise that - whenever I see the words, "Care Bears," - inside my head, I'm seeing Ewoks.

The fight-happy puritan continues to sustain his own comic and, in this issue, he's, somehow, among a shipful of slaves delivered to the Caliph Abu-Ben Ar.

It sounds bad for our hero... ...but, perhaps all is not lost, as Caliph Abu-Ben Ar's son is a man who wants to do away with slavery!

Marvel's sprawlingest-ever epic reaches its, no doubt, senses-shattering conclusion, with the Beyonder in a quandary because he's vowed to destroy all of existence but fears he might miss it when it's gone.

That in mind, he, for some reason, sets out to create a machine which will recreate him as a mortal - but with a portion of his power intact.

Now what are our heroes supposed to do?

And how does the Molecule Man fit into it all?

I don't know if the world was ever crying out for a Wonder Man comic but it's got one anyway, and one that's destined to last for a whole single issue!

In that one single issue, Simon acquires and - loses - employment as a security guard for Cordco Delta Lab 3.

And, as if that wasn't enough to keep us enthralled, we also get a reminder of his origin story!

I've not looked at Web of Spider-Man for a while on this feature but the Grand Comics Database tells me the brother of one of the punks from the previous issue is out to murder Peter Parker!

Sadly, as I've not read that previous issue, I can shed no light upon who those punks might be. Possibly, the Sex Pistols but I feel the UK Subs are also acting mightily suspiciously.

And, now, Firestar outdoes Wonder Man by getting her own mini-series.

One in which her powers show themselves for the first time, triggered by the demise of her grandmother.

Needless to say, it's not long before she gets noticed  - and is recruited by the White Queen!

And it's all thanks to Tom DeFalco and Mary Wilshire.

I've no idea at all what happens in this one but I do know it's the last issue, that the tale within it is called Eyeteeth Part III: Army In the Pocket and is brought to us by the mighty talents of Doug Moench and Paul Gulacy.

And, finally, for this month, as far as I can make out, more of the expected fun occurs when Sage becomes a king - only for Groo to turn up.

The Marvel Lucky Bag - February 1986.

Thanks to Charlie Horse 47 and Killdumpster for their sponsorship of this post, via the magic of Patreon. 

***

Movies?

I know where to find them.

In the paragraph below.

One which lists the more famous ones released in February 1986.

And those movies are F/X, Hannah and Her Sisters, 9½ Weeks, The Hitcher, House and Pretty in Pink.

I think F/X, 9½ Weeks and House are the only ones of those that I've seen and I think House was the one I enjoyed the most. That is, therefore, the official Steve Does Comics Movie of the Month.

But can it be?

After 75 issues, has Rom reached the end of his space road?

He truly has because this is his very last issue and, to be fair, as his mag was launched purely to promote a toy, the lad's done well for himself.

In fact, he's done exceptionally well, as I can sensationally reveal that this is the issue in which he regains his humanity!

Mike Kaluta gives us a typically stylish cover when Starstruck hits its sixth and final instalment. Doing so with a tale called Kiss Daddy Goodnight.

And I haven't a clue what it's about.

But you know what I've been demanding?

If that cover's to be believed, I've been demanding the dramatic return of the original X-Men!

Granted, I have no recall of ever demanding such a thing, having always found them almost as uncompelling as Nick Fury's Agents of SHIELD. However, the gang discovers Jean's still alive, and this calls for a reunion that leads them to re-brand themselves as, "X-Factor!"

That's a very striking cover from Al Milgrom but didn't an issue of Moon Knight once have a cover very like it?

I don't know much of what goes on in this one but I do know the gang's fangy foe is none other than Jack Russell himself who it's hard to see giving an offshoot of the mighty Avengers much trouble.

Rather more menacingly, however, it would seem that Ultron's also involved...

Here's a thing you don't see every day; Benjamin J Grimm in wrestling action with Vance Astro.

Mostly, you don't see it because one of them lives on Earth and the other lives in space, and one lives in the present and the other in the future.

I suspect such minor obstacles will not be enough to get in the way of a tale called Home.

Secret Wars II rumbles on, as, frustrated by his experiences on our world, the Beyonder consults the Molecule Man.

Somehow, this leads to the all-powerful alien losing his temper and deciding to destroy the multiverse!

But can the Molecule's Man's unique skill-set thwart that drastic plan?

No sooner does Rom leave our lives than a new mag based on toys hits our spinner racks.

I know little of this but can reveal it's written and drawn by Herb Trimpe and, after crash-landing on the planet Skalorr, the crew of a spaceship team up with a band of nice robots to fight a band of nasty robots.

Sadly, despite providing us with all the robot-on-robot violence we could ask for, this appears to be the only issue ever published.

Longshot's mini-series draws to a double-length conclusion when its protagonist, Dr Strange and Quark discover that someone called Rita's been turned into a mere husk, by Mojo who then sets up a church on Earth and begins to brainwash its followers.

The Marvel Lucky Bag - January 1986.

Thanks to Charlie Horse 47 and Killdumpster for their sponsorship of this post, via the magic of Patreon. 

***

I'm struggling to find films that are worthy of me handing over my ticket money in January 1986. Of the movies released that month, it seems the most promising I can find are The Clan of the Cave Bear, Heathcliff: The Movie, Iron Eagle, Down and Out in Beverly Hills and Youngblood.

Perhaps I'll go and see Heathcliff. After all, who can turn their nose up at a new adaptation of Wuthering Heights?

 

Then again, I may just stay at home and read some of those comics that are known to expand a young man's mind and broaden his horizons so much that he can no longer even get his head out the door.

It's an exciting time for us all, as Marvel's signature character gets his own graphic novel and finds himself in a Susan Putney / Bernie Wrightson thriller in which the man with the sticky fingers encounters both Marandi Sjorokker and Thunder Cockroach.

No. I don't have a clue who they are.

Apparently, Thunder Cockroach dies.

Will we ever see his ilk again?

An understated cover lets us know Marvel's most psycho crime-fighter has his very own book!

From what I can make out, fearless Frank is in prison and takes part in a break-out...

...but then prevents his fellow convicts from escaping!

The warden, meanwhile, promises to free him if he agrees to fight for someone called The Trust.

Web of Spider-Man lands its second-ever annual and does so with a tale in which Warlock of the not-Adam variety goes to New York and impersonates a number of television personalities, thus causing all sorts of, no doubt, hilarious chaos.

That's followed by an eight-page yarn called You're Lying, Peter Parker!

Of that adventure, I know nothing, other than that it seems to contain a dream sequence.

Daredevil too bags himself a graphic novel. One in which the Kingpin abducts a psychologist's wife but is soon thwarted by the man without fear.

And it's all brought to us by fun-filled Frank Miller and bouncing Bill Sienkiewicz.

Then again, it turns out it's not that hard to get your own Marvel graphic novel, because, now, Greenberg the vampire's managed it and I don't even know who he is.

Whatever his identity - and whatever the story involves - it's a whopping 70 pages long and is the creation of J. M. DeMatteis and Mark Badger. 

There's no way the world's greatest vampire's going to be left behind by Greenberg. And, so, he too lands himself a graphic novel!

And I know even less about this one than I do about Greenberg's.

All I do know is it's by Jon J Muth.

Knock me down with a feather. Even the Alien Legion is in on the full-length act!

In this 67-page tome, Alan Zelenetz, Carl Potts and Frank Cirocco give us A Grey Day to Die which features such never-to-be-forgotten characters as Sarigar, Torie Montroc, Jugger and Grimrod!

After all that drama, I need to relax.

And what could be more relaxing than a colouring book?

Nothing could.

Even if it's based on a terrible film.

And, thankfully, we have one to hand, as, not only does Marvel give us its 47-panel adaptation of George Lucas' legendary Howard the Duck movie, it also does it in magical monochrome, so we can entertain ourselves by transforming it into glorious Technicolor.

The Marvel Lucky Bag - December 1985.

Thanks to Charlie Horse 47 and Killdumpster for their sponsorship of this post, via the magic of Patreon. 

***

Good grief! There were more memorable movies released in December 1985 than you can shake a clapperboard at!

Was this an attempt to cash in on the lucrative pre-Christmas market? Or was it just a sign of the film industry's unbridled creativity?

Either way, the month saw the unleashing of Young Sherlock Holmes, Spies Like Us, The Jewel of the Nile, Clue, Legend, Brazil, The Color Purple, Out of Africa, A Chorus Line, Enemy Mine, Ran and Revolution.

I've seen surprisingly few of those films and suspect that the ones I have seen - The Jewel of the Nile and Legend - are not the best of the bunch.

Therefore, as so often in the past, I shall leave it the reader of discernment to decide just which is Film of the Month.

It's the news we've all been waiting for, as The Bozz Chronicles hits a spinner rack near us and intends to fully embed itself there until we determine to buy it!

To be honest, I don't have a clue what it is or what it involves but I do know it's the handiwork of David Michelinie and Bret Blevins and will run for six issues of, what its covers imply to be, retro but high adventure.

And that's not the only new publication tempting us to part with our hard-earned dollars, pounds, francs, guilders and whatever other currency we may possess, because Six From Sirius 2 also makes its debut.

This magazine is likewise mysterious to me but I do know it comes from the minds of Doug Moench and Paul Gulacy and is destined to run for four instalments.

This issue also includes a six-page yarn titled Parody which is the sole work of John Zack.

We all love the X-Men. We all love Alpha Flight. Clearly, if they meet, we're going to love it twice as much!

And so it is that we spy in on an adventure in which they find themselves in a mysterious big palace thing and come up against the schemes of Loki himself.

All I recall of this one is that, at some point, Rogue tries to absorb the powers of Loki but can't, what with him being a god.

Also, I think Loki gives the members of the cast what they most want in life but they end up rejecting his gifts. A fact that he gets very miffed about.

Marvel makes its stab at relieving famine in Africa, with Heroes For Hope.

It seems to be made up of a whole heap of stories of not more than three pages each, utilising such talents as Harlan Ellison, George R R Martin and Stephen King, as well as a whole slew of our favourite comics creators. I do notice that Jim Starlin seems to have an input into much of the material. 

The Hulk gets his fourteenth annual and does so with the 40-pager The Weakness of the Flesh!

Again, I know little of this but can sensationally reveal it's brought to us by writer and artist team John Byrne and Sal Buscema.

And, barely to be outdone by the Hulk, Thor lands his thirteenth annual.

But will it be unlucky for some?

Especially the thunder god when Mephisto kidnaps Ulik's brother and uses that to force the troll into fighting Thor?

Although, knowing Ulik, it's a bit of a surprise that he has to be forced into it.

What's this? Has Marvel taken the radical and bold step of reprinting issues of the legendary British girls horror comic Misty?

No, it hasn't. 

Does that mean Iron Fist's Misty Knight has finally been granted the comic of her own that she's always warranted?

No, it doesn't.

Instead, we're treated to a string of short dramas starring the woman of that name, and produced by Trina Robbins.

I get the feeling the tone of this comic may be quite light.

I also get the feeling it will run for six issues.

The Marvel Lucky Bag - November 1985.

Thanks to Charlie Horse 47 and Killdumpster for their sponsorship of this post, via the magic of Patreon. 

***

Just how moving were the moving pictures that came out in November 1985?

Here's where we find out.

Were we to venture into our local bug hut, in that very month, we would be confronted with such new releases as Death Wish 3, A Nightmare on Elm Street 2, To Live and Die in L.A., Target, King Solomon's Mines, White Nights, Ewoks: The Battle for Endor, Rocky IV and Santa Claus: The Movie.

Tragically, the only one of those I've ever seen is King Solomon's Mines which is rubbish and, therefore, I can't with clear conscience declare it to be my Movie of the Month. I shall, therefore, leave it to those better informed than I to decide just which of those films is the cream of that crop.

Marvel's determined to inflict yet more new comics upon me. And so it is that we encounter the first-ever issue of Nightcrawler.

It would appear the shadow-loving rogue's practising in the Danger Room when he, somehow, gets yanked into another dimension where he begins a swashbuckling adventure!

All I know beyond any reasonable doubt is that this story is both written and drawn by Dave Cockrum. 

What's this? Rom's comic is not only still going but is suddenly guest-starring Rick Jones who appears to have Hulked himself up to some degree?

It all happens when the Beyonder arrives at a cabin occupied by Rick, Brandy and Cindy, gives them super-powers and sends two of them into Limbo to retrieve Cindy's parents!

But, hold on, where does Rom fit into all of this?

Mike Kaluta's cover heralds the arrival of an issue in which something or other happens.

All I know about that something or other is it's a yarn called Big Mombo and is the product of Mike's pencils and Elaine Lee's words.

Marvel's latest multi-part epic crossover hits its fifth issue when the Beyonder dismantles a train upon which is riding a young mutant on her way to Professor X's school.

The Beyonder agrees to take her the rest of the way but, once they arrive there, the X-Men attack him and, somehow, this all leads to him beating up the Celestials!

At last, it's the storyline we've all been praying for, as Mary Jane Watson becomes Spider-Man!

Or does she? 

Alistaire Smythe seems to think so.

Seeking revenge for the death of his father, he's out to get rid of the web-spinner.

However, he, bizarrely, comes to the conclusion that Mary Jane is that very web-spinner.

Even though she's clearly not a man.

It's exactly what we've all been praying for, as Marvel gives us its stunning adaptation of the Red Sonja movie that did its best to keep us awake.

I would say we're all familiar with the plot but I've seen the film at least three times and still couldn't tell you what the plot is.

Apparently, this version is written and drawn by Mary Wilshire. 

After years of being Thor's sidekick, Balder finally lands a comic of his own and would seem to be doing so by crossing over with the thunder god's book, as he too journeys to Hel, in a bid to liberate those who don't deserve to be there.

The Fantastic Four's 19th annual sees the gang team up with the Avengers, for reasons I'm not familiar with.

However, it does seem the Infant Terrible puts in an appearance!