Sunday, November 23, 2008

1994 14

A pretty good cover starts of a pretty good issue of 1994. The Sanjulian cover, featuring Ghita of Alizarr and the various characters from her serial wraps around to include the back cover as well, a rarity for Warren. Sorry, couldn't track down an image of the cover for this issue!

First is "Womb With a View!" by Alex Nino (art) and Nicola Cuti (story). A husband and wife who are about to have a baby consent to allow a doctor to use a machine on her that will enable the baby to learn from inside the womb. This soon has major effects on the baby (known as Cranfranz) however, who gains the ability to read their minds and force them to do things from within the womb. He forces the father to do things for him including killing people. The father manages to stop him by permanently becoming his twin brother in the womb, and strangling him.

Second is "The Benevolence" by Jose Ortiz (art) and Jim Stenstrum (story). The best story in this issue, and a pretty long one, at 22 pages long. 'The Benevolence' is a program where supplies are brought to colony planets around the universe. The last ship on their trip is filled with horrifically mutated scientists. When there is a malfunction with their ship, they have the ability to escape unharmed, but only if they drop off part of the ship down to the planet, killing everyone there. The captain doesn't want to do it but his crew mutinies and causes it to happen anyway. Wishing to keep the Benevolence program alive, the captain accepts all the blame himself for the events that occurred.

Third is "The Galaxy Grand Prix" by Vic Catan (art) and Jim Stenstrum (story, credited to Alabaster Redzone). The worst story of the issue, it features an intergalactic race taking place in spaceships. Nothing all that interesting here.

Fourth is the latest "Ghita of Alizarr" story by Frank Thorne (story & art). Ghita leads her forces towards Nergon's city and she surrenders to them unarmed. There Nergon shows her to everyone in order to humiliate her, but when Ghita's forces, including Drill arrive, the trolls become scared and Ghita uses the opportunity to seize a sword and kill Nergon's soldiers, and soon Nergon himself. Victorious over the enemy, Ghita decides to share her rulership with Thenef and Dahib. A pretty good conclusion to the first series of Ghita stories. This series would take a few issues off before starting up again with issue 17.

Last is the second part of "Baby Makes Three" by Abel Laxamana (art) and Kevin Duane (story). Turner and Kelly come across the space station seen at the end of the last part, and meet Chulmann, the head of the place. While there Turner listens to a report from his superior. Only 6 pages long and ending abruptly, I wonder if this was originally meant to be part of the next story and got split off for inclusion here.

No comments: