POWER COMICS

MAELSTROM
ISSUE: #1
YEAR: 1987
PUBLISHER: AIRCEL COMICS
STORY & ART BY: JIM SOMERVILLE
B/W
COVER 4.5/5
ART 4/5
STORY 4/5
BUY: $1.75 FINE
FLICKR

Evil plotting Mistress Queen of the Metaloids - “the meanest bitch to ever cast a spell,” - demands the bloody decapitation of a rogue dark wizard named Han-Kar-Harsh and hires freelance executioner Maelstrom for the hit. But, the wizard has foreseen his death and upon Maelstrom’s arrival, he strikes a bargin with the executioner: I’ll transmit my dark energies and powers into your axe, in exchange you must cast a spell on my severed head. However, Maelstrom totally “bungles” the spell and the wizard’s crimson head splits open and a hairy wolf-like winged goblin pries itself out from within the flesh and bone. The Queen hears of this morbid debacle and sends forth an army of mercenaries and beasts to destroy Maelstrom. -EH

TITLE: STARK:FUTURE
ISSUE: #2
YEAR: 1986
PUBLISHER: AIRCEL COMICS
WRITTEN BY: GORDON DERRY, ART BY: TIM McEOWN & JIM SOMERVILLE
B/W
COVER 4/5
ART 4/5
STORY 4.5/5
BUY: $1.75 FINE
FLICKR

The ominous metropolis of Herod stands 5 kilometers tall on the desolate moon of Kanen. Containing a dozen inter-galatic species, the greedy ruling Aylvan race depends on the genetically fit Dervanite Rangers to restore order against the warring races in the tower’s lower levels. Picking up from Issue #1, Ranger/Commander Stark and his companions have been called to quell a rebellion within the tower’s shady confines and to search for the uprising’s mysterious leader. With the Kalichakra sword of the Dervanite ancients now fused to his flesh, Stark can instantly disintegrate any foe and transport life-energy and anti-matter to parallel dimensions (!). The rebel leader is revealed here with a unforeseen poisonous and fungal consequences. In this issue the art is enhanced and the story gains some fun complexity. It also contains expanded reading on the Kalichakra mythos and a glossary of the various alien species inhabiting the Harod. STARK: FUTURE proves again to be a highly rad and totally recommended sci-fi/adventure series. –EH

TITLE: STARK:FUTURE
ISSUE: #1
YEAR: 1986
PUBLISHER: AIRCEL COMICS
WRITTEN BY: GORDON DERRY, ART BY: TIM McEOWN & DAVID DAY
B/W
COVER 4/5
ART 4/5
STORY 4/5
BUY: $1.75 FINE
FLICKR

In a distant future on the third moon of planet Torgasso, lies a desert wilderness plagued by hostile sandstorms and humongous carnivorous plants. Two rival although codependent races occupy the land - the Dervanite race aka “The Rangers,” who are bred to withstand the harsh environment and the greedy Aylvan race who inhabit the multi-level metropolis fortess of Herod. Dervanite Commander/detective Ely Stark receives an urgent distress message from Herod about a critical security breech within the tower that could prompt a full-scale rebellion from the lower-class inhabitants. Stark and his brute companions must thwart the mutant uprising while remaining cautious of an Aylvan back-stabbing trap. Skeezy neon dive bars, disrupter rifles, alien pawnshops with secret back rooms and more are featured in this fun, inspired ’80s off-world cyberpunk tale. -EH

TITLE: ADVENTURERS
ISSUE: #1
YEAR: 1986
PUBLISHER: AIRCEL
WRITER: SCOTT BEHNKE, ART: PETER HSU, LETTERER: RON KASMAN, CALLIGRAPHY: CAROLYN BEHNKE
B/W
COVER 4/5
ART 4.5/5
STORY 4/5
BUY: $5.25 VF
FLICKR

Long ago in the age of magic before Darkness had claimed the land, eight individuals - a young sorcerer, a dwarven warrior, a non-dwarf warrior, a dark priest, a mage of fire, a female ninja, and a seasoned mercenary - set out on a journey to find an enchanted key from the ruined city of Tecumeth. Our heroes arrive at Tecumeth to find that the mammoth city is arranged in the shape of a skull and a legion of demonic soldiers heed their arrival. -EH

TITLE: WARLOCK 5
ISSUE: #1
YEAR: 1986
PUBLISHER: AIRCEL
CREATED BY: GORDON DERRY and DENIS BEAUVAIS
B/W
COVER 4/5
ART 4.5/5
STORY 4/5
BUY: $1.50 VG
FLICKR

A hot book in its time. Knights, wizardesses, heavy metal babes, dragons, cyborgs and more. EVERY panel is non-stop action. Lots of character transformations. A hulking machine gun carrying brute gets a knife shoved up his chin through the top of his head. Gory! -EH

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