#Topps Comics

[ungoliantschilde]

some Arthur Adams.

[evilhorse]

Van Helsing pinup

(Bram Stoker's Dracula #4)

[beyondthespheres]

Esteban Maroto, 1996

[klippfandom]

How to crack peanuts.

[vertigoartgore]

1995's Jason Vs. Leatherface Vol.1 #1 cover by artist Simon Bisley.

[machinenerding]

X-Files 🐲 Jurassic Park: what if the Black Oil alien virus invaded Isla Nubar? IDW Comics should have done this #crossover !

[comicsart3]

Xena Warrior Princess is an iconic 1990s and 2000s heroine - a sort of Ying to Wonder Woman’s Yang, with a fair bit of Red Sonja thrown in. Thankfully, she featured in her own comic book as well as the TV series that launched the character and so can feature in this blog!

With a dark back story of brutal mercenary fighting, Xena hailed from Thrace and journeyed through a fantastical version of Ancient Greece accompanied by farm girl Gabrielle, who slowly evolves from simple ingenue to becoming a warrior in her own right. Xena has reformed and seeks to exorcise her demons by righting wrongs and protecting the defenceless from oppression and tyranny - of which there is plenty in her world. Xena’s extraordinary fighting ability is frequently called into play in her adventures and her past nature often leads her into lethal violence, even cruelty, which the more gentle Gabrielle, who in time becomes Xena’s best friend and confidante, does much to help her mentor to control. Xena can never be said to be entirely on the side of the angels, but the enemies she fights and frequently despatches, are almost always utterly malevolent, meaning little sympathy is encouraged for their demise.

The TV series was the creation of John Schulian and Robert Tapart and ran from 1995 until 2001, featuring Australian actress Lucy Lawless as Xena. The comic book was based solidly on the TV show and was initially published by Topps Comics, first appearing in 1995. Subsequently Dark Horse Comics and, more recently, Dynamite Entertainment, took over the title. Broadly, the comic follows the TV series in style, characterisation and type of storylines, including encounters with characters from Greek mythology, historical enemies such as the imperial Romans, and numerous supernatural beings and monsters, although the later series also included a lesbian relationship between Xena and Gabrielle which was definitely not in the TV series - although arguably implied. The comics have therefore continued the tradition of the tales of an ahistorical Ancient World female badass well into the twenty first century. Xena’s titles have tended to come out in limited edition series, her most recent outing being a six issue run in 2019.

The cover featured is from Xena Warrior Princess #5 (2019); the comic page is from Xena Warrior Princess #2 (2019), and its story The Golden Army.

Sources: the Wikipedia pages for Xena Warrior Princess TV series and Xena Warrior Princess (Comics); the cover and page are from zipcomic.com

[scary-pixie]

I found a bunch of old Xena comics at Fan Expo yesterday and I AM SO EXCITED!

[cryptocollectibles]

The Frankenstein Dracula War 3 Issue Complete Set (1995) by Topps Comics

Written by Roy Thomas and Jean-Marc Lofficier, drawn by Claude St. Aubin and Allen Nunis, covers by mike Mignola..

[holy-shit-comics]

[ungoliantschilde]

Jurassic Park, Vol. 1 # 3 Page 28 by Gil Kane, with Inks by George Perez, Letters by John Workman, Colors by Tom Smith, and a Script by Walt Simonson.

[evilhorse]

For the dead travel fast!

(Bram Stoker's Dracula #1)

[monsterasia-zero]

Monsterasia Zero Comic Of The Day! - Topps Comics - Jurassic Park Raptors Hijack #02 - Cover Date August 1994- Storylines/Events: Civilization

[balu8]

Ray Bradbury Comics #1

Cover by William Stout

Topps

Source Greg Goldstein (comicartfans)

William Stout, Ray Bradbury Comics #1, Cover, 1993, in Greg Goldstein's Collection Comic Art Gallery Room (comicartfans.com)

[crisisofinfinitemultiverses]

Zorro 6 (1994) by Mike Mignola

[jaysterg5]

Cadillacs and Dinosaurs: Blood and Bones

Writer - Roy Thomas

Art - Dick Giordano with Steve Stiles and Esteban Maroto

Covers - William Stout

While not exactly a sequel to Mark Schultz's Xenozoic Tales, this miniseries actually takes place with his blessings. In fact, it occurs during issue #10 of Xenozoic Tales and sequelizes the very first Xenozoic story from Death Rattle #8. Schultz had already thought about furthering that story and provided Roy Thomas with his ideas and some sketches - which are reproduced in issue #3 of this series.

But this run also tries to capitalize on the short-lived cartoon series of the same name and kind of becomes a bridge between the source material and the TV show. While most of the sensibilities are of the comic book, many of the characters' appearances are derived from the look of the show. This series also features the multitudes of Terhunes that were expanded in the show including adding a mother to the poacher family.

Roy Thomas and Dick Giordano have been doing pulpy stories for a large majority of their careers by the time this was published in 1994, so it was a slam dunk that they could handle this project. Thomas's story features a return to Fessenden Station and another encounter with the mysterious 'Brainies.' Add in a dollop of politics and some poachers and it makes for a typical Xenozoic story!

While Giordano's art isn't as sharp or detailed as Schultz's originals, he does still have a flair for expression and action. The classic comic book art is still fun and energetic, and has it's own charm. Giordano even manages to "paraphrase" some of Schultz's original panels throughout the series. Fun stuff!

And in typical Xenozoic form, each issue features a backup story. The first just catches readers up on the world and the characters for new readers who may not have read Schultz's original comics. Issue #2 sequelizes a short from Xenozoic #6, so we get to see exactly how Jack and Hannah rescued their friend Remfro and his glider from the deep blue sea! The third issue is a completely original story of a Dino fight club that Jack puts and end to. Nothing amazing, but still entertaining little additions to the world.

While not the most earth-shattering stuff, it does a nice job keeping the spirit of the original alive. I don't think these were ever collected (at least I couldn't find anything showing that), so if you see them in yard sales or second-hand book stores, they're worth a read.