The thrilling countdown has begun as Steve MacManus returns with Blazer! Issue #4…
It’s been a couple of years since I last delved into the world of Blazer! with my last review being the publication's debut issue back in 2021. Since that opening issue the tie-in to creator Steve MacManus's novel ‘The Sheerglam Conspiracy’ has grown into its own entity courtesy of those fine folks over at The77 Publications. While Mac is now joined by a range of creators, the storytelling remains the same, and if you read between the lines, there are plenty of easter eggs to the goings on of in-universe publisher, Goodenough Publications.
Diving into the issue and were first greeted by an editorial by Steve Mac as he pokes fun at The77 Publications EiC Ben Cullis for finding the funds to afford 4 extra pages and a big congratulations to Tornado Ted for winning his boxing match in Las Vegas. The rest of this intro is then made up of those time-honoured spots that you’d see in comics from back in the period Blazer! is set. Aside from the issue's contents, we get competition winners, another mention of Tornado Ted’s winnings, a coupon to vote for your favourite strips, and even vinyl/film recommenddations. While I’m too young to appreciate these nods to the past first-hand, I did reminisce of old Marvel comics that I’d buy from old car boots and those older 2000 AD Progs that I’d discover more in my late twenties which were both packed with these pre-internet info tidbits.
Moving on, and our first strip is…
Lupu’s Terror Tale: Our Man Vs The Monster! (Dave Heeley, Mike Walters, Andrew Richmond)
Kicking off Blazer! #4 is a simple monster strip from This Comic is Haunted editor Dave Heeley. Those who’ve taken the trip to Heeley’s grim-dark tomb will already know that he’s got a penchant for crafting quite a chilling tale of creatures that go bump in the night. Here it’s no different as we get a flashback to the former life of movie scare actor Alex Dahlink as he recounts the origins of the design of his most recent creation.
Across the next five pages, we’re taken into the Artic tundra in search of secret Nazi experiments, and government agents as Alex recounts his story. Things then turn more supernatural as Dahlink confronts a crazed monster that gives him quite a run for his money. With a conclusion that makes you think, Our Man Vs The Monster! is yet another example of why Heeley is the perfect choice to curate a horror-themed comic anthology. Mike Walters gives plenty of punchy artwork, with a full-page reveal that crowns the titular monster in all its grotesque detail.
Derringer & So’n (Colin Maxwell)
Every comic needs a straight forward action strip and Derringer & So’n is exactly that. Jack of all trades, Colin Maxwell gives us a straightforward all-action story with plenty of simple art that certainly puts the titular characters through their paces. No wonder the ending pin-up teases a Hollywood blockbuster!
The Collector (Steve MacManus, Charlie Gillespie, Andrew Richmond)
With Blazer! primarily a black-and-white anthology, having The Collector open up with a stunning full-colour two-page apocalyptic nightmare is a real eye-opening experience. Mac and Gillespie then follow this up with a time-spinning adventure as ‘The Collector’ utilises fancy future technology to capture the memories of some of history's notorious people. With Hitler punching himself in the face, a space station that satires Elon Musk and his fixation with the letter ‘X’, The Collector is definitely one strip that Mac should develop further into its own thing.
And, as always Gillespie’s art work is just stunning which definitely distracts you from Mac’s script. But with The Collector being that good, it definitely merits that second - or third - re-read!
Fly Blown (Alan Hebden, Jeremy Dunn)
Terrors from outer space meets the Australian outback as Alan Hebden and Jeremy Dunn bring a tale that jumps straight out of Dr. Who (minus the Timelord!). When three British youngsters stumble across an alien swarm only one of them stands in the way of a worldwide invasion.
Dunn’s art work is perfect for this one. The looming shot of the spacecraft approaching Earth really reminded me of the opening of Star Wars: A New Hope. The close-up shots of the parasite infecting its host really helps to ramp the horror, while sweeping action shots help to sell the desperation as the story goes on. Hebden isn’t a stranger to crafting a decent sci-fi story, and this Futureshocks style tale is a great addition to his library.
Deathmatch: Black Sabbath Returns (Andrew Richmond)
Concluding this forth issue is another supernatural tale that’s been brought to life by Andrew Richmond. Deathmatch tells the story of dead wrestler Blake Sunday as he comes back to the mortal realm as a demon out for retribution. In his quest to hunt down the men who sent him to Hades, Sunday now known as ‘Black Sabbath’ claws his way across the London underworld.
Great little horror story is this one. Richmond uses a lot of dark shadows to build his vision of London’s murky underworld. It’s these shadows that also cloak the Black Sabbath in an eerie darkness where we only see his piercing white eyes and snarling teeth. With a second part teased, I’m hoping we get to see more of Blake Sunday and his journey of revenge.
Overall Blazer! #4 is a cracking read. Even though I’ve not read the previous two issues I was able to jump straight back in the anthology with no problems in needing to catch up. The two-issue gap has also given me ample opportunity to see just how far the anthology has grown. Blazer! is a real credit to MacManus and with him at the helm, it has a really bright future!
Rob Lake - For more comic book and video game chat why not follow us on X/Facebook @GeekCultureRev, TikTok/YouTube @Geekculturereviews, and BlueSky @geekculturereviews.bsky.social
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