by tonydoug wright

During a recent trip to my local comic book store, I decided to check out the $.25 bin to see if I could find some lost gems. As an avid music fan, I browse the bargain bins at music stores in search of an incredible find that will one day be discussed over a few beers with my rock and roll buddies. Figuring that the $.25 bin would have something good, I dove in and grabbed five comic books that caught my attention. This experiment is a first for Champion City Comics and hopefully I will brave the bins again in the future for some additional bargains and busts.

The Machine (Dark Horse Comics 1993

Writers: Mike Richardson and Chris Warner
Art: Lee Weeks and Ted Naifeh
Letters: Clem Robins

When I picked this title out of the bin, I was immediately reeled in by Mike Mignola’s cover featuring the ominous character, The Machine, standing strong over a pile of rubble. A spin-off of the Barb Wire series, The Machine follows the life of one Avram Roman (a.k.a. The Machine) a tortured soul trapped in a mechanical existence. He is a resident of the crime ridden metropolis of Steel Harbor and ally to femme fatale, Barb Wire.

In this issue, our hero is witness to various gang battles between Barb Wire and the local goons. Ignition, a small but evil gangster, has attempted to take out the blonde bombshell, Barb Wire, but fails. From there, Barb Wire chases Ignition to his lair where he does battle with a group of urban thugs known as The Prime Movers.

The Machine was action packed, although the writing and art were more lackluster than blockbuster. Mike Richardson and Chris Warner had an interesting character with The Machine but it seems they tried to do too much in one issue. It is difficult to get into a title when the main character is featured for less than half of the comic book and numerous secondary characters are introduced. The art by Lee Weeks and Ted Naifeh was decent but not spectacular. The first pick out of the $.25 bin was more of a bust than a bargain, so let’s see how the others fared.

Deathlok #5 (Marvel Comics 2000)

Writers: Joe Casey and Leonardo Manco
Colors: Mariana Sanzone Manco
Letters: Jonathan Babcock

Making his first appearance in Astonishing Tales #25, Deathlok, a cyborg mercenary, is a cult favorite that has been reinvented numerous times. Sometimes a villain and sometimes a hero, Deathlok is one of those characters that appears on the Marvel radar from time to time only to disappear without a trace. For me, one of my earliest comic book memories was the Thing battling Deathlok, so perhaps my nostalgia influenced this pick.

In this issue, we are introduced to S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Jack Truman, a superb solider and a victim of a terrible accident. In order to save his life, Truman undergoes a savage surgical procedure that transforms him into the most recent incarnation of Deathlok. During the procedure, Truman is visited by a vision of a half-man-half-elephant that torments him during this painful process. Nick Fury, S.H.I.E.L.D.’s top agent, debates Truman’s transformation while dealing with the day-to-day operations of world espionage.

Included in this issue of Deathlok is a mini Spider-Man issue where our web-slinger must stop a friend from smoking marijuana. Not only does Spider-Man have to give the “Drugs are bad, Mmmkay” speech but he also has to battle Mysterio. This odd transition from Deathlok to a Back to School Special Spider-Man was unexpected and incredibly unnecessary.

Writers Joe Casey and Leonardo Manco created an interesting storyline for this Deathlok series. Casey and Manco do not rush through the transformation of Truman to Deathlok; instead they go through the process and examine Truman’s descent into madness. Mariana Sanzone Manco’s sci-fi inspired artwork was superb. Unfortunately, the series lasted nine issues, but Deathlok is a character that is resurrected every so often so keep an eye out for another cyborg adventure. This pick out of the $.25 bin was the first bargain so let’s hope that the rest are like Deathlok.

The 'Nam #16 (Marvel Comics 1988)

Writer: Doug Murray
Art: Wayne Vansant and Geof Isherwood
Letters: Agustin Mas

When I was eight years old, my parents purchased a copy of GI Joe #4 and gave it to me as a gift for my first communion. So what does this have to do with The 'Nam? Larry Hama, the main writer for GI Joe, was also the co-creator of The 'Namand served as consulting editor for this unsentimental series that examined the live of various Vietnam soldiers. This popular series ran from 1986 until 1993 when poor sales forced Marvel to discontinue The 'Nam.

In this issue titled ‘Good for the Goose’, Sgt. Rob Little is sent with his platoon to examine South Vietnamese villages for VC activity. The tension in high in Little’s platoon, especially due to the fact that one solider, Jerry Ramnarian, is more interested in drugs than following orders. During a routine village inspection, the platoon is ambushed and forced to retreat. Helicopters are called in to pick up the soldiers and to fire rockets into the village. Little is saved but Ramnarian is left behind, presumed dead, and captured by the VC.

Doug Murray’s script is not a glorification of war, but it is a dose of reality for those who experienced the nightmare that was Vietnam. Well written and captivating, The 'Nam also benefits from the art of Wayne Vansant and Geof Isherwood. It appears that my luck with the $.25 bin is paying off because I snagged another bargain.

The Legend of Aquaman #1 (DC Comics 1989)

Writers: Keith Giffen and Robert Loren Fleming
Pencils: Curt Swan
Colors: Eric Shanower
Letters: Agustin Mas

When I pulled this comic book out of the bin, I was tempted to put it back because it was Aquaman. Yes, Aquaman is the Rodney Dangerfield of the comic book universe because there is definitely a lack of respect for our sea-loving adventurer. The hero of Atlantis and friend to all ocean dwelling creatures has undergone various changes at the hands of DC Comics to make him more of a tough-guy than an underwater Dr. Doolittle. The Legend of Aquaman is a good starting point for those interested in the history of Aquaman.

This story by Keith Giffen and Robert Loren Fleming, chronicles the early life of Aquaman, an outcast from Atlantis, and his upbringing by a human named Arthur Curry. From there, Aquaman returns to Atlantis only to be imprisoned. While in jail, Aquaman meets fellow inmate Vulko, a former professor, who convinces Aquaman to escape. After a successful escape, Aquaman begins his super hero apprenticeship. Years go by and he returns to Atlantis only to discover he is a hero who sparked a revolution against tyranny.

Giffen and Fleming’s script is good but is unintentionally silly at moments. The relationship between Curry and Aquaman is uncomfortable at times because there is an awkwardness to the situation. The Legend of Aquaman is a worthy effort to bring some respect to a DC Comics hero that lacks a serious following. I’m not going to call this a bust because it proved to be a useful guide for someone who has not read anything about Aquaman. The $.25 price was right and I’m feeling good about my three bargains versus one bust record.