Next Men Takes Me Back & Savage Dragon Still Surprises

I hadn’t been to the comic shop in more than a month but it was time. The latest issue of Savage Dragon should’ve been out around a month ago and I wanted to know how Emperor Kerr was fairing in his conquest of Earth. Believe me, there’s a lot of back story to this but don’t worry, I will spare you the details. There simply isn’t enough time or space to get you up to speed. Suffice it to say, Savage Dragon is written and drawn by Erik Larsen, who has been publishing Savage Dragon for 19 years. Certainly one of the longest runs in creator driven titles, Savage Dragon features something fairly unique in the comic world. That is, that the comic takes place in real time: Meaning all the characters, those still alive, have aged 19 years. I followed Erik Larson when he left Marvel Comics to help form Image Comics, where Savage Dragon is published. I would describe Larsen’s style as a mixture of Marvel’s groundbreaking Silver Age comics with John Byrne 80’s Marvel: Byrne, himself, a Marvel Silver Age aficionado. The stories treaded new ground in the early days of the 60’s but after a point, the characters had been around a long time yet had not aged. Comic book publishers would not allow characters to age because eventually they’d have to retire profitable titles. Or course their thinking was limited but there was wisdom in their stance. Otherwise, Batman and Superman, unless otherwise disposed of by their various colorful enemies, would be dead of old age and Spiderman would be retiring right about now. John Byrne took the Fantastic Four back to their roots by considering only seven years had passed since the first issue, though 20 years and well over 200 issues had passed. It was like Byrne picked up where Stan Lee and Jack Kirby had left off. Savage Dragon incorporated these great qualities in Savage Dragon along with real time, which is just not done in comic books. Erik Larsen has never shied away from introducing dramatic change to the Savage Dragon story and he has always made it work. Lately, much dramatic change has been taking place and I am eager to see what happens next.
Driving to Bookery Fantasy, I realize that enough time has passed that two issues of Savage Dragon may be available. At the store and scanning the racks something unbelievable catches my eye. It is an issue of John Byrne’s Next Men! Next Men ceased publication back in 1995 or so, what the fuck? A reprinting seemed likely but who knew? It is not a reprint. It is the second issue of a new Next Men series that picks up where the old series left off. Awesome! But did they have the first issue? None were readily apparent. Still loyal to the lone comic book I still pick up; I searched for the latest Dragon tale. I found the Savage Dragon and, much to my delight, found it to be the issue after the one I was looking for. I was right, two issues were out. Or course, now I worried I wouldn’t be able to find the issue I missed. Usually, Bookery had a couple back issues available, but you never know. I missed out on a couple of issues in the past and it took me years to find copies for myself. That was not the case and I found what I was looking for. That done, I marched to the counter to inquire of Next Men #1. I had no idea where to look so, why not let the good people of Bookery Fantasy do what they do best? They found the issue in question and I felt excited.

Paying for my prizes, I comment on my surprise at seeing the new Next Men comics to the clerk. I have been buying comics from him for years but I do not know his name. He might know my name because I have paid with my credit card over the years. Who knows? He is knowledgeable and to my statement he says that he has had many surprised comments on the Next Men. There was a thrill: Other people were buying Next Men, too. It has been far too long since I have enjoyed a good John Byrne yarn and it was a revelation that others may feel same way.
Getting into my car, I realized I felt excited about comic books in a way I hadn’t felt in a long time. I had four issues of what I knew to be exciting comics in my possession and I looked forward to kicking back and checking them out. After getting home, my woman would be going to work and I would be watching our young child. It would be a while before I could kick back and using this: I would savor the moment.

After performing various Dad duties and knowing my daughter was preoccupied, I retired to my command center. Sitting down in the sunlight that beamed brightly through the window I would begin with the Savage Dragon and then it would be on to the Next Men. Savage Dragon #167 and #168 packs a blood soaked punch with the wanton death, and wholly unexpected twists and turns. I am amazed at Erik Larson’s consistent ability to just go all out, throwing the pieces in the air and seeing where they all fall. After all this time the Savage Dragon still offers surprises supreme. Bravo, Erik Larson! And a Stan Lee “Excelsior” to thee!

John Byrne’s Next Men are next. I thought about digging the old issues out and reading them again, so as to be up to speed. I decided not, figuring all would come back as I read. I shouldn’t have worried as Byrne does an excellent job of recapping what had gone on before while simultaneously jumping into the new storyline. It is good. I’m happy to be picking up on an old story that was never finished after so many years. I can only compare the feeling to when I saw the DIO era Sabbath in 1993 and the OZZY era Sabbath in 1998 or the all original members of KISS in 1996. These bands had reunited against all possible odds and expectations after many years of estrangement. Growing up, it was a foregone conclusion that I would never see these bands live in these particular incarnations. But then it happens and it’s like, WOW! Byrne has a story to tell and, as such, a definite conclusion to the Next Men story, which will culminate with issue #50 (or is that 80?). This is great. Now, after probably over a decade, I will be collecting two comics a month. Well, at least for the next four years.

Vinyl Fun Finds at Goodwill

Lately, I’ve made some great Vinyl finds at the local Goodwill Store. I have been trolling for cool Vinyl for many years. I find my treasures by haunting flea markets, thrift stores, flea markets and, infrequently, garage sales. Garage Sales are always disappointing as a cool vinyl resource, whereas an actual record store is the best resource. Which, I didn’t include in my list above because it’s an obvious place to find cool vinyl and there aren’t many record stores left, anyways. Also, the selection is usually picked over, worn out, over priced and smells like piss. Cat or Human? I think both. Flea Markets are a step above as they don’t smell as bad but they cost more. Come to think of it, I haven’t seen much vinyl at all at any flea markets for the last couple of years. So that leaves Thrift Stores. Up until recently thrift stores have been more a resource for that cool old retro cover. The music inside, to my modern ears, is garbage for the most part. Rarely did I find some cool rock album, rather it was the garbage made for old people back in the 50’s up through the 70’s. And yet, some of them had cool covers. Well, maybe not cool in a pop culture sense but cool to me.  Every decade or so I’d find a cool rock album from the 70’s up. These were rare gems. Outside of the occasional Jazz, Blues or Comedy record, you just didn’t see anything cool in thrift stores. Rock albums were surprising and fun finds back in the day. In the last few months of 2010 is when cool rock albums from the 70’s & 80’s started making a regular appearance at my local Goodwill Store.

Of course all the crap I’ve picked through over the years is still there but now I’m finding pockets of cool stuff shoved in between the crap. I was astonished to find a large cache of Rap and DJ Mixes thereof, most of which was from the mid 90’s and Chicago based. Real local shit. I wasn’t a fan but I could appreciate the serious find before me. I passed, knowing it belonged to someone else. Flipping along, I found another pocket of cool shit. It was of some 45’s, which is fairly rare to find at thrift stores. The first 7” was “Goody Two Shoes” by Adam Ant backed with “Crackpot History” (the superior song, in my opinion) from 1982! Both songs come from the album, Friend or Foe. I love this album and I bought a cassette of it back in 1983. The next 7” was “Kung Fu Fighting” by Carl Douglas! I love this song but before finding this record, I couldn’t have told you who performed it. I have taken Kung Fu for many years now and, funnily enough(!), many people break into this song when I mention that I take Kung Fu. But now I have an actual 45 of this song! Ha! The B-Side? How cares? “Kung Fu Fighting” is on side A! The last 7” of interest was “Easy Lover” (Duet with Phil Collins) by Philip Bailey. I would’ve thought it was a Phil Collins song with Philip Bailey guesting. You learn something new every day. I always liked this song, though. There were a few other 45’s I passed on, finding them lame and contrary to the ones I wanted. A few records down I found “200 M.P.H” by Bill Cosby and in good condition. There were a few other Cosby albums but they were in piss poor shape.

A few weeks ago I found a new influx of rock albums, such as YES and STYX. The Firm’s two albums were there too, along with the PRIZE: A promo only interview disc, called Talks Business - Exclusive Interview, with Jimmy Page and Paul Rodgers of The Firm. I have The Firm’s albums already but not the promo which I snatched up, looking side to side wondering if it would be necessary to defend against this great find. There were others flipping through and one guy, over my shoulder, was eyeballing the records I was flipping through, but he said nothing and violence did not erupt.

Radio promos are rare as they are not offered to the public. The promo’s sole purpose in life is to promote a new album: In this case, by providing an insightful interview with the creators on the construction of their band and their new album, in this case: The Firm’s second, and ultimately last, album “Mean Business.” Since then, Jimmy Page has claimed The Firm only ever intended to produce two albums, but the interview on this says otherwise. They seem eager to continue to write together but “Mean Business” sold poorly and the partnership was subsequently dissolved. Promos such as this are produced only in small numbers and usually remain in a radio station vault or “find” their way into an appreciative DJ’s private collection. This, after decades of collecting, is only the second Interview on vinyl I’ve found. For inquiring minds who want to know: The first is called “Lets Talk” and is an interview with David Bowie, promoting his “Lets Dance” album. “Talks Business” has a “questions and answers” version on Side A and an “answers only” version on Side B. It comes with an introductory letter and a transcript of the interview. There is also a time breakdown, informing you when you need to dub in your questions. The record is clean and I suspect it was rarely played. Over all, the package is in Near Mint condition. “Talks Business” is a great addition to my collection but offers something else, thanks to computers: The opportunity for me to dub myself asking the questions and to spruce it up by adding their music to the background. The moral of the story? Never give up flipping through all those old records, you never know what you’ll find.

Halford’s Still Made of Metal

I put off buying Halford 4 - Made of Metal for a number of reasons. There was other music I wanted to download more, Nostradamus with Judas Priest was disappointing and would Made of Metal be just another tired retread of past glory? I have been a fan of Rob Halford for nearly 30 years and have always wanted to be a first day buyer when something new comes out. But lately, I’ve wondered if he and the rest of Judas Priest are past their prime and maybe they should all just retire. And so it goes that Judas Priest have announced their final “Epitaph” tour. Reading this I realized I might want to pick up Halford 4. It was only $10 at Walmart, not much more than the digital download, so I decided to go old school and buy the plastic.

My expectations weren’t particularly high when I plugged my new CD in the player. I have found that having low expectations is good because I’m far less crest fallen when I’m disappointed. But I am not disappointed with Made of Metal. In fact I’m a little surprised and mildly relieved. The album delivers a sold dose of Heavy Metal and has a fire in its belly. Halford has made no bones that he will continue after the mighty Priest are gone and this album stands as testimony. Halford’s solo output has been next to nothing since rejoining Priest but it has been picking up in the waning days of Priest. Made of Metal follows less than a year since Halford’s last album, Halford 3 – Winter Songs, the first album to be released after a seven year gap.

If you’re on the fence about this one, get off the fence and buy the album. What are you waiting for? You know you want it.

Best Worst Movie: The Troll 2 Documentary

I was thinking of Christmas ideas and I thought it would be nice to get a replacement copy of Troll 2. I had loaned my old Troll/Troll 2 DVD out back in 2007 and it hadn’t been returned. The problem was compounded by the fact that I couldn’t remember who I’d loaned it to. Damn. I love Troll 2 and I have loved it ever since an old friend brought it to my attention, way back in 1993. He said he saw it on HBO and that it was the worst movie ever but it was hysterical. It was a low point in my life so I was game. I’d actually seen the VHS of Troll 2 in a rental store for a few years and it never passed the “cover test.” Ironically, it wouldn’t have mattered as the original VHS cover didn’t have anything to do with the movie. We rented a copy and set down to watch, beers in hand. I am amazed we didn’t get hernias from the gut busting laughter that volcanically erupted from us. Troll 2, despite its obvious lack of technical prowess in almost every area of importance, delivers.  It is fun and like a good album something you play again and again and it was many years until that same friend who first introduced me to Troll 2 gave me the Troll/Troll2 DVD, for Christmas 2004. We had talked about the movie for years and it was a surprise to find it was on DVD. I loved to play Troll 2 during the Halloween season and I have missed seeing it the last few years. So, why not as a Christmas gift?

I found online that Troll 2 was available as a 20^th Anniversary, stand alone DVD. Sadly, there is no bonus material. I found something else, a documentary about Troll 2 called: Best Worst Movie. They’d both just been released on DVD in November. Excellent and unexpected! The documentary is directed and is the brain child of Michael Stephenson, the child star of Troll 2: Joshua Waits. Stephenson had run from the movie for most of the 20 years since its release in 1990. Via the internet, Stephenson found that a large cult following for the film had developed over the years and, warming to the situation, realized HE was the lead child actor of the best worst movie ever. The only way to distinguish yourself from the best is to be the worst. And seriously, the movie is really fun to watch. Thinking this was pretty cool, he decided to make a documentary on the phenomena, the highlight being he’d track down just about everyone of note who was involved with the movie. I put both the DVDs on my wish list and crossed my fingers.

I got Troll 2 as a gift and had to order Best Worst Movie. When I received my order, Best Worst Movie was the first thing I wanted to see. The documentary is as much of a tribute to the fans as it is the cast and crew of Troll 2. It is enjoyable and there is a lot of interesting information therein. I had no idea of the large, young cult following that has blossomed in Troll 2’s wake. The film focuses mostly on George Hardy, the amiable dentist that played the part of the dad in the movie, Michael “Farmer” Waits. Most all the principal actors were interviewed and featured except for two notable people: Mike Hamill, the fire and brimstone preacher of Nilbog, and Deborah Reed, the over the top villainess: Goblin Queen. I have heard CultFilmFreak’s separate podcasts with both actors that both were interviewed for the documentary but weren’t featured at all. This is regrettable and eminently perplexing. Stephenson even had material with some of the dwarves who played goblins in the film but didn’t include the two main villains? Judging from the podcasts, their inclusion in the film would’ve only made the movie better. Oh well. I read on some comment boards that Deborah Reed is working on her own documentary, so how knows? Despite this egregious flaw, it is a good, enjoyable documentary.