Friday Slice of Heaven, Slice into the Woods 10/14/2016

Welcome back, Donist World Denizens! For those of you new to our site, I’m Donist, and I am joined by Donist World CFO the Reverse Obie* (my friends’ Boston terrier whose fur recently swapped colors) and by our marketing director / administrative assistant / party planner / primary caregiver Tulip (my dog, Reverse Obie’s sister). As I mentioned last week, I’m not going to be able to take a look at this week’s comics in time for FSoH/SitW. Sorry, Denizens, but circumstances beyond my control are gonna throw things off a bit. Tulip and Reverse Obie were all set to do the write-ups, but they too are busy working to maintain our status as a Fortune 320,000 company. But I can’t just leave y’all empty handed, so I put together a quick little somethin’-somethin’ below that I hope you’ll enjoy. Anyhow, we should be back to our regularly scheduled programming next week. So, enjoy this look at my favorite mini-series of the ’80s, pour yourself a Founder’s Breakfast Stout (or a coffee if beer ain’t your thang), check out Luke Cage on Netflix (so far, so freakin’ great!) and most of all read some great comics. Take care. Thank you for reading!

*Obie, through his dabbling in arcane magics mixed with ancient corrupt business practices, has had not just the colors of his fur switched, but a complete overhaul of his work ethic as well…I think I’m kinda okay with the mishap.

***Possible Spoilers Below***

Ahhhh…the mini-series of the ’80s…oh, how I love thee. Whether you were alive and loving comic books like I was during the arrival of the glorious mini-series, or whether you recently came to comics, there is a treasure trove of groovy books awaiting you in the back issue bin — or in trade format depending on the popularity of the particular series. Now, Marvel was the one releasing most of the mini-series I read, but DC also had a few gems tucked away themselves. The thing that mattered most was that we had — primarily — done-in-four-issues stories that my mom would buy for my brother and me in an effort to keep us from strangling one another during long drives to a vacation destination. Her diversionary tactics brought peace to the realm of the red Ford Mustang II, and every so often brought a period of cooperation that was rarely seen back home. These comics were magical and having gone back to reread many of them over the past few years, they still manage to make this Donist smile wide.

Let’s have a look at some, and keep in mind that they are in no particular order other than what comes to mind…

Wolverine #1–4 - Okay, now this is one that we found on the spinner rack at the grocery store, and read as the issues released. This book was also much loved and it practically fell apart in our hands, which given the going price for pristine copies of this series…well, best not to think about it too much now. Man, how could you not be a fan of The Uncanny X-Men back then? Then Marvel goes and spins off this beloved character into his own story? We had to get it. Chris Claremont wrote, Frank Miller drew, and even without any crazy, tertiary-colored supervillains to be found, this series knocked it out of the park. Thankfully, there’s a trade available of this must-read mini.

Wolverine #1

Jack of Hearts #1–4 - Huh…I thought I talked about this one ages ago, but I guess I didn’t. I knew next to nothing about this vibrantly-colored character, but Young Donist loved everything about the playing card-themed Jack, and with Bill Mantlo at the healm there was much to love, indeed.

Jack of Hearts #1

Hercules: Prince of Power #1–4 & Hercules: Prince of Power #1–4 - Wait just a minute…whaaaaat?! Yup, two separate series, each with the same title. Once came out in 1982 and the other in 1984, and both are a blast. Leaning more on the humorous side of things with the introduction of Herc’s wisecracking Recorder, this futuristic series at times became really, really dark. There is actually a third chapter that was released as a Marvel Graphic Novel titled “Full Circle” that I have never read and need to get a hold of. Bob Layton rocks the socks off these books. I wrote about the two minis here and here.

Hercules V1 #1

Hercules V2 #1

The Falcon #1–4 - Here we have today’s Captain America in his own mini. And speaking of Captain America, the original appears briefly as the heroes take on the menace of Electro!

The Falcon #1

Hawkeye #1–4 - Hey now! I just finished rereading this one this week. We get classic Hawkeye and the series co-stars Mockingbird! Lot’s of action and fun even when one of the villains happens to be Oddball. Love this!

Hawkeye #1

Cloak and Dagger #1–4 - I probably should not have been reading this more adult-oriented title, what, with drugs, runaways, prostitutes, and serial killers, but gosh darn it I was a fan. I still am, which is not a difficult thing given that this mini was written by Bill Mantlo. I guess I will have to pick up the eleven-issue series that followed — also written by Mantlo, no less! I wrote about this one a while ago here.

Cloak and Dagger #1

Gargoyle #1–4 - I kind of think this character is Marvel’s answer to DC’s Etrigan the Demon, only instead of a yellow and red color scheme, we have an orange and purple one. I like this series quite a bit now, but back in the day I was a bit irked that Isaac Christians was actually an old man. Definitely worth checking out, and you can read what I had to say about it here.

Gargoyle #1

The Demon #1–4 - About time DC made an appearance, and what better series than one of my favorite ’80s minis of all time. I adore this book not just for Etrigan, but because it is written and drawn by Matt Wagner of the amazing Mage and Grendel. A great story of monsters, mayhem, and intrigue. Dang, why haven’t I talked about this one yet?! Oh, wait, I did here. A trade recently came out.

The Demon #1

X-Men and the Micronauts #1–4 - A couple years ago, I covered each and every issue of Marvel’s The Micronauts in a series of posts called “Micronauts Monday.” For each post, I examined each issue from the perspective of my younger self and as an adult. The Micronauts is what made me a comic book collector, and what better way to grab my attention than to mix two of my favorite series into one. Hallelujah! You can read what I had to say here and then here. Unfortunately, because of licensing issues with The Micronauts, you will probably have to back issue bin dive to find it, or you can click on the link above and easily order up the series lickety-split.

X-Men and the
Micronauts #1

Vision and the Scarlet Witch - This is the the mini that got me through the massive trip to Huntington Lake back when I was a wee Donist. I read these four issues over and over again and really enjoyed them again a few years ago. One hint about issue four…Who’s your daddy? It’s also your lucky day, Denizens, you can find a trade of this mini with no probs, but buying the originals will probably save you a few gold pieces.

Vision and the
Scarlet Witch #1

And this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are a bunch of others out there, some I have read, some I haven’t, but whether I like the stories or not, they all have a special place in this Donist’s heart. If you think of any others, let me know!

Friday Slice of Heaven, Slice into the Woods 10/14/2016