This began as the 1,000 COMICS CHALLENGE issued to Captain Blue Hen from some friendly comic shops in Texas and Ohio. Later, they were invited to keep going and participate in a 2,021 challenge - - same rules, the winner is the shop/group that reads and posts 2,021 comics first. Captain Blue Hen apparently took first place, although the results have yet to be officially announced. So, the quest begins anew: the new moniker is I LOVE COMICS 3000. Sometime after that it may be called COMICS 5K. I’ll happily contribute. This has been fun.
I’ve been numbering my entries, picking up where I left off with the 2,021 COMIC BOOK QUARANTINE ODYSSEY. I’m curious to see how long it takes me to read that many comics. I want the results to be realistic so I’m not going to binge read unless I happen to be in the mood. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t end up reading some comics, so we’ll see how long it takes me.
#304 THE BUTCHER OF PARIS #5 of 5 (Dark Horse, April 2020) Writer Stephanie Phillips’ dark tale of a serial killer in World War II Paris is based on true events. In the final issue Paris is liberated and the Nazis are in retreat. The French police are closing in on Marcel Petiot a.k.a. The Butcher Of Paris while disgraced and falsely accused Jewish detective Massu watches from the sidelines. Petiot makes a mockery of the courtroom during his trial until an unexpected witness comes forth with damning testimony. Creepy and disturbing period piece, made even more vivid by artist Dean Kotz’s careful depiction of Paris scenes, clothing, etc. to help set the scene. FOUR STARS.
#305, 306, 307 WELLINGTON #1, 2, 3 (IDW, December 2019- February 2020) Speaking of utilizing art to establish the atmosphere and mood, the art and color team on Wellington make it very worthwhile. Otherwise, the story by Aaron Mahnke (of Lore fame) and Delilah Dawson is a bit slow. London 1848. The Duke of Wellington is asked by an old flame to investigate some mysterious events at her estate. A murder. A missing child. A vicious hell hound.Witches. Human/animal woman. Things center around an old abandoned mine as the story and action picks up in the third issue. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
#308 THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN: CENTURY 1910 (Top Shelf/Knockabout) This is much more to my satisfaction than BLACK DOSSIER, with more of Kevin O’Neill’s great art; but it didn’t have as much action as Volume 1 and Volume 2 and the new characters (with one exception) weren’t as exciting. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are gone, as is the Invisible Man. However, it’s part one of three and a set-up/introduction issue - - so I’ll expect more from the next two chapters. On a good note, this does not end in a cliff-hanger. The story is self-contained, although elements of it will come back in the next chapter.
It’s London 1910. The youthful Allan Quatermain and Mini Harkness are back, but this time Allan is passed off as the son of Quatermain to avoid questions since he was very elderly in Volume 2, which takes place twelve years before this. Both Allan and Mina have taken a bath in immortal waters between Volume 2 and this story, something that isn’t explained unless you read the text pieces at the end of this chapter. Orlando, the immortal gender-switcher who I assumed the duo didn’t meet until the 1950’s, is here without explanation and part of the new League. As annoying as he is, his frequent interruptions and historical memories add some spice to the proceedings.
An occult order are attempting to create the Moonchild, and are under investigation by the new League which now includes master thief Raffles and the psychic Carnaciki. Mycroft Holmes assists as well, but doesn’t seem to be part of the group. Jenny, the daughter of Captain Nemo, escapes her dying father’s influence to make her way in London but only ends up back as the new commander of the sub. Jack The Ripper makes an appearance as well, along with Andrew Norton/Ian Sinclair. Before this chapter concludes, the League confirms the existence of the cult, although it’s alleged leader is said to be dead. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
#309 THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN: CENTURY 1969 (Top Shelf/Knockabout) There is indeed, a plot underneath everything else here, and one that writer Alan Moore is advancing toward a (hopeful) satisfactory conclusion in CENTURY 2009. Like the last volume, the second chapter of CENTURY is chock-full of literary references, some easy to discern and others obscure (I’m sure I missed plenty of these).
While I’m enjoying the story, sometimes the references take over the plot and take it on little side trips or scenes in order to allow Moore to complete his veiled name-drops.
NOTE: Spoilers follow. Don’t read further if you want to read this book and still be surprised.
This time Moore adds references to 1960’s rock music, popular culture (drugs, clothing, lifestyles) and films. The occultist Oliver Haddo is an immortal of sorts, but different from Mina and Allan. He uses a spell of transference to take over other physical bodies when his present form is near death, too old, or no longer useful to him. As the story begins, he’s inside the owner of an occult books store. His cult members murder rock musician Basil Thomas (a reference to a Victorian writer, but the resemblance and circumstances point to deceased Rolling Stone Brian Jones) in his swimming pool yet allow his companion to survive. Terner (Mick Jagger/Memo From Turner) is lead singer of The Purple Orchestra and in line to give up his form to Haddo’s next transference, a step towards the creation of the Moonchild/Anti-Christ.
Sorcerer Prospero summons the League (this time just Mina, Allan and Orlando) to investigate the murder. Mob leader Vince Dakin (I was thinking the Krays, but there’s no brother) hires trench-coated detective Jack Carter ( looking like Michael Caine in Get Carter) to find the killer of his former friend Basil Thomas. The League manage to avert Haddo’s transference into Terner during a tribute concert. Carter provides a valuable assist with a murder. This features a vivid battle on the astral plane between a drugged Mina and Haddo.
However, the Moonchild threat is not ended as the astral form of Haddo manages to infiltrate the form of Mina’s concert acquaintance, Tom (meant to be a young Voldermort from the Harry Potter series) Mina has a tiff with Allan. The story ends in 1977 during the advent of punk rock where Orlando is female again and Allan is a drug addict, both trying to re-connect with the estranged Mina. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
#310 THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN: CENTURY 2009 (Top Shelf/Knockabout)
FOUR STARS out of a possible FIVE. Hurrah! This has an actual ending, a resolution to the threat of the Antichrist (although not without a hint towards more). This chapter was more engaging and satisfying to me, perhaps because I’m now used to the storytelling style Moore utilized in this trilogy.
The main action revolves around Mina and a female Orlando. Allan is till a homeless drug addict and doesn’t want to be a hero anymore. He doesn’t participate in the hunt for the Antichrist, but does help play a role in the conclusion. The League failed to prevent the birth of the Antichrist, and sorcerer Prospero now wants them to prevent Armageddon. Orlando rescues Mina from the mental hospital where’s she been secluded since 1969. In their quest, they find the hidden train Platform 9 3/4 and ride the now-decaying train to a devastated former school for wizards. (Yes, the implications here are that the Antichrist is not Voldemort, but Harry Potter —although never referred to by name). MI5 gets involved, headed by Emma Night (reference to Emma Peel from 1960’s The Avengers British tv show). Before this chapter ends, a celestial being resembling Mary Poppins plays a major role.
The back of each book of Century featured an episodic text story, “The Minions Of The Moon” that jumps around in time, and is written by Moore as John Thomas, a tribute to science-fiction writer John Thomas Sladek. I didn’t bother to read these, too confusing even though they supposedly drop in some background details left out of the main story.
For me, the trilogy is best summed up by Mina, who when asked what’s it like to be an immortal replies: “Well, for Orlando, it’s thousands of years of sex and slaughter. For me . . . I don’t know. The first seventy years were wonderful.” Next question was “and then?” Mina says: “Well, you know what they say, life’s a bitch . . and then you don’t die.”
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