The Ricochet Reviewer: Books, Movies, and Comics

  HALLOWEEN REVIEWS 2024 Random Marvels Project Dipping my net into the ocean of Marvel and seeing what comes up. Writer: Joe Kelly Artists: Michael Lark & Stefano Gaudiano  Someone is targeting “spyders” as part of something called The Grim Hunt, perpetrated by the survivors of the late Kraven the Hunter.   I stopped reading comics on a regular basis well before the number of spider-characters began to rival the number of members in the Superman and Batman Families, so I have no particular connection to these Kaines and Arachnes who are on the run. However, I did find the fate of the Mattie Franklin Spider-Woman moving… …and the motive for it quite creepy. Hunting the Hunter, Part One: Adrift Writer: J.M. Dematteis  Artist: Max Fiumara  An atmospheric tale of a disillusioned Kraven looking for purpose in life.

  HALLOWEEN REVIEWS 2024 by Tom Townsend A horror/Cold War espionage thriller in which an  abandoned German WWII prototype tank forged from ancient elven ore (!) goes on a rampage in modern-day Europe, fueled by the malevolence of the deceased tank commander who had been its master.   Fortunately, a rugged military historian/tank restorer and a successful comic book creator/reincarnated elven princess are on hand, finding love as they investigate the Jagdpanzer’s secrets and evade Russian spies who want to claim it for their own purposes. I swear, I can’t make this stuff up, but Tom Townsend can.   Tom Townsend He was a tank platoon commander and tank company executive officer in the Army, so he’s operating in his wheelhouse here and the details about tanks and tank tactics ring true. This book takes place in a world that evolved from a Tolkienesque prehistory, including abandoned subterranean forges and an impenetrable metal called “mithriel” just waiting to be disc...

  HALLOWEEN REVIEWS 2024 Writer / Director: Robert Eggers Stars: Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickie, Harvey Scrimshaw, Ellie Grainger, Lucas Dawson, Julian Richings, Bathsheba Garnett Banished from a Puritan plantation because of differing  views on the Bible, a family tries to establish a homestead on the outskirts of a scary forest, not knowing that they have entered the territory of a witch.   As tragedy after tragedy befalls them, the blame falls increasingly on the teenage daughter Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy).   This atmospheric film establishes a masterful sense of place and a powerful buildup to its chaotic conclusion.  The most unsettling horror is the breakdown of the family; their terror of the forces of darkness turns them against each other, forcing them each to confront evil in isolation.   Thomasin is methodically separated from her family, leaving her vulnerable to influence...which was perhaps the plan from the beginning.  Robert...

HALLOWEEN REVIEWS 2024 Writer / Director: Kazuto Kodama Stars: Kouta Takagi, Hajime Izuki, Rin Asuka, Takuji Kawakubo, Anri Okamoto Five short found footage style videos that run the  gamut from mundane to disgustingly mean-spirited.  Its one saving grace is that it is short, so each segment ends before it becomes too dull. Each episode builds anticipation for some shocking revelation but then fumbles it by either being too unimaginative or too ambitious for its inadequate special effects team. The last part goes from being really ugly to unintentionally silly for that very reason.

  HALLOWEEN REVIEWS 2024 Random Marvels Project Dipping my net into the ocean of Marvel and seeing what comes up. Writer: Doug Moench Artist: George Tuska Inker: Vince Colletta  Of course, Man-Wolf survives his plunge into the ocean. This kicks off a pretty uncomplicated narrative in which the now-human John Jameson reflects on his lycanthropic career… …as he goes to his father for help while, which serves to reorient the uninitiated, not to mention burning a few pages. Meanwhile, Jameson’s superiors at NASA have decided that his prolonged absence has made him a security risk. Later, upon surveying the apartment he destroyed earlier… …he decides that he is no longer fit to be Kristine’s fiancé. After a brief tussle with the police, Man-Wolf is on the prowl again. Doug Moench, who has produced some excellent work, seems to be having trouble finding a story to tell about this character, and George Tuska’s pencils just don’t deliver on the promise of that spectacular Gil Kane cov...

Plot, Pencils, Pigments: Jim Starlin Words: Steve Englehart Inks: Klaus Janson  Things start off rather slowly with a lengthy recap of the Thanos War saga up to now. Then we pick up with Captain Marvel’s face off against a Thanos who seems compelled by ego to battle Mar-Vell “on his own level.” Isaac appears to the broken and defeated Captain Marvel. Starlin was way ahead of the game when it came to pronouns! Thanos has succeeded in removing the Avengers from the playing field… …but that doesn’t stop them from making contact. Seems that Mar-Vell’s newly acquired ill-defined cosmic awareness would be a better catalyst for this cross-dimensional awareness than Mantis’ ill-defined perfect control of mind and body. Marvel may think he stands alone against Thanos with the Avengers removed from the picture, but there is still another player to be heard from. And it’s on! While the Destroyer holds Thanos’ attention,  Marvel, Mantis, and Isaac form a hypothesis about a potential weakn...

HALLOWEEN REVIEWS 2024 Director: Lew Landers Writers: David Boehm, based on the poem by Edgar Allan Poe Stars: Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lester Matthews, Irene Ware, Samuel S. Hinds, Spencer Charters, Inez Courtney, Ian Wolfe Bela Lugosi is a mad doctor whose hobby is building  torture devices inspired by the stories of Edgar Allan Poe.  When his romantic intentions meet opposition, he attempts to exact vengeance on all involved with the reluctant assistance of the disfigured Boris Karloff.  This film can be enjoyed for its cheese factor (a leering Lugosi gloating, "Yes! I like to torture!"), but it also evokes some truly creepy and atmospheric moments.   Besides, it's always fun to watch Karloff at work.