Terry and the Pirates (35.2)

Vol. 6: 1945-1946

by Milton Caniff

Beamings

Dec 25, 1944 - Apr 1, 1945

This is the ninth of twelve stories in what Carl Horak, author of the Terry and the Pirates Companion, considers to be the fourth era of Caniff’s run on the strip. This era began in late Jan 1942 and ran through early Nov 1945 and is called The War Years in the companion book.

The Wikipedia article on Terry and the Pirates breaks the entire series down into 60 arcs. It breaks this arc down into the following arcs:

51 - "The Dragon and the Snake" (12/26/44 to 4/3/45)

04/09/24

Jan 1-3, 1945 - Terry and Pat get caught up and start to discuss the mission they have ahead of them.

Kane (1993) 16 (2)

Kane (1993) 16

Apr 1997

Chains

by Paul Grist

Captain Dexter of the New Eden Police Department watches a situation develop at Independence Park. Three years ago, a teenager, a member of the Keepers (a local gang), was killed by police officers after the teen pulled a toy gun on them. Riots broke out. Today, Independence Park is trying to celebrate a milestone. The celebration is organized by Henry Jacobs but before the day is over Jacobs has been stabbed by a member of the Keepers while standing up to a gang member who was threatening Mayor Dyson with a knife. 

Other stuff happens in this story. Mister Floppsie Whoppsie and the Plunderer are both at Independence Park but don’t cross paths with one another. The sniper strikes again. There’s a man trying to sell bulletproof vests. A police officer posing as a balloon lady is stuck in the middle of it all. Nelson, the head of the ANGEL Squad, badgers Captain Dexter as the situation at Independence Park evolves. Nelson offers to clear up the situation at Independence Park but it isn’t until after things really go south that Dexter gives Nelson the go ahead to move forward and clean things up. 

Secret Origins (1986) 12 (2)

Secret Origins (1986) 12

Mar 1987

Challengers of the Unknown

by Mark Evanier, Chuck Patton, Bob Oksner, Carrie Spiegle, Carl Gafford, Bob Greenberger

The story opens with the Challengers of the Unknown getting ready to make an appearance on a TV show, Real Incredible People. The four original members of the team (Rocky Davis, Ace Morgan, Prof Haley, Red Ryan) tell their fifth teammate (June Robbins) about their individual origins while they wait for their turn in front of the camera.

The Challengers leave the studio before it is their turn in front of the cameras and the studio audience. They take with them a very large box which reminds them of another box they found during their very first mission together. The box belonged to Mr. Morellian. He wanted them to open it for him. During their first mission they took turns opening different parts of the box. Each section they opened released a different kind of threat.

Kane (1993) 16 (1)

Kane (1993) 16

Apr 1997

Stripes (Part 2)

by Paul Grist

Detective Lovett breaks in to Manny Tate’s apartment while he is on the phone with Sergeant Max Anderson. Tate opens fire on Lovett but misses him. Marsh shows up. Tate is out of bullets. Marsh shoots and kills him.

Marsh picks up the phone. Anderson is still on the line but hangs up when Marsh starts speaking. Lovett points out that Tate couldn’t be the sniper because there is no rifle in his apartment. 

The story ends with (1) Anderson revealing to the reader that he didn’t squeal on Manny Tate back in the day and (2) Perez, who is still in the hospital, getting a visit from the same Internal Affairs detective that interviewed his partner is the previous issue. 

Secret Origins (1986) 12 (1)

Secret Origins (1986) 12

Mar 1987

The Secret Origin of the Golden Age Fury

by Roy Thomas, Dann Thomas, Tom Grindberg, Tony DeZuniga, Carl Gafford, David Cody Weiss, Robert Greenberger

16 pages

The Furies of Greek myths grant Helena Kosmatos, a Greek teenager, superpowers after she calls for vengeance on her older brother after he caused their mother to suffer a sudden and fatal heart attack. The Furies grant Helena the superpowers with the understanding that she must follow through and kill her brother. Helena does just that. She also kills a number of Nazi spies with whom her brother was working.

The story ends with her meeting Johnny Chambers (aka Johnny Quick) who promises to take her back to the United States with him. 

Human Target (1999) 4

Human Target (1999) 4

Jul 1999

Part 4 (of 4)

by Peter Milligan, Edvin Biuković, Lee Loughridge, Robert Solanovicz

Christopher impersonates Tom. He spends a day as Tom with Becky and her son. The next day he impersonates the Reverend Earl James and spends time with Bethany as they prepare for the funerals. 

Emerald sets a trap for whomever is going to impersonate the Earl James. Chance doesn’t foresee Amber might strike again but Tom does and breaks into the church to warn him in the middle of the funeral.

Dee Noyz is at the funeral and is killed protecting "Earl James". Emerald asks Chance for a favor as she lays in his arms dying. He asks her for the name of her employer. Her last words are a repeat of what she said on the first page of the first installment in this story. 

The story ends with Chris doing what he can to help Tom reestablish his relationship with Becky. 

Fantastic Four 217

Fantastic Four 217

Apr 1980

Masquerade!

by Marv Wolfman, Bill Mantlo, John Byrne, Joe Sinnott, John Costanza, Bob Sharen, Mark Gruenwald

HERBIE turns on the Fantastic Four and attempts to murder them. HERBIE is being controlled by Dr. Sun at the time. HERBIE, in the end, regains control long enough to destroy himself before Dr. Sun regains control of his circuitry.

Thoughts

It’s kind of funny how quickly and how easily Dr. Sun manages to almost kill the team using HERBIE. What happened? I thought the Fantastic Four were tougher than that?!

Kane (1993) 15

Kane (1993) 15

Feb 1997

Stripes

by Paul Grist

Sergeant Max Anderson of the New Eden Police Department tells the story of how he squealed to Internal Affairs when he learned that Detective Manny Tate was taking money from Oscar Darke. Manny Tate went to prison but he’s out now and calls Anderson to harass him.

Donahue visits Perez in the hospital. Donahue has his arm in a cast. Perez is conscious but in worse shape than Donahue. Perez tries to talk to Donahue about what happened that night (see Kane 13) but Donahue cuts him off. Donahue later is called in to talk to Internal Affairs.

Human Target (1999) 3

Human Target (1999) 3

Jun 1999

Part 3 (of 4)

by Peter Milligan, Edvin Biuković, Lee Loughridge, Robert Solanovicz

Earl James is dead, by his own hand. Tom assumes his identity once again, in a very public way.

Emerald tries to kill Christopher Chance once again. This time she targets the right man but is unable to complete the job. Chance gets the upper hand in the fight but doesn’t kill her even though she has been hired to kill him. 

Tom checks in with Becky, his wife. He is disguised as Earl James at the time. He proposes a solution to their marital problems. Becky isn’t okay with Tom’s solution. Her rejection pushes him to leave. 

Werewolf by Night 14

Werewolf by Night 14

Feb 1974

Lo, the Monster Strikes!

by Marv Wolfman, Mike Ploog, Frank Chiaramonte, John Costanza, Petra Goldberg, Roy Thomas

The Werewolf and Algon fight. The Werewolf senses that Philip Russell’s spirit is held within the body of the monster that was once Taboo’s son. Taboo gets frustrated and allows Jack to leave with his father‘s unconscious body. Topaz goes with Jack back to his apartment. 

Jack later returns to Taboo’s abode where the sorcerer uses magic to give Algon the power to transmute. The Werewolf and the disfigured son of Taboo fight once again. The fight ends after Taboo is killed by a falling statue. Jack escapes Taboo’s home as the building collapses on Taboo and Algon.