Category Archives: 90s Comics

90s Comics, 90s Marvel, Uncategorized

Dark Liaisons (part 1 of 4)

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Fierce rage built up in him, ready to overflow like lava from an erupting volcano. Only his steel will stood between him and completely losing himself to it. If he were to succumb, would anyone be safe from his wrath? But enough about me quitting smoking this month. I should probably get on with the subject to this month’s article. This article will be the first of four as I take a look back at a personal favorite storyline of mine from my youth, “Spirits of Venom”! This narrative concerns part one which was originally presented in “Web of Spider-Man” #95. Enjoy the coming chaos, Unspokenites!

A storm raged overhead as Spider-Man swung upon his webline. In his other hand, he carried the bound form of one of his most relentless foes, the Hobgoblin! Hobgoblin struggled in his web cocoon but to no avail. He was trapped. As he relaxed his taxed muscles, he complained to his wall-crawling enemy about how this was all unnecessary. The man he had tried to kill was only a contract to be fulfilled after all. It was nothing personal. Plus in the end, he had only defended himself. These words stung Spider-Man and he let go of his captive! He let him fall several stories before catching him at last. He then roared into the face of the assassin about how the taking of any life couldn’t be any more personal and he’d see the goblin punished for what he had done! Then, Spidey continued his swinging, heading to the nearest police station. This had all not gone unnoticed however. They were being watched from a distance…..(Seems like Spidey’s in a really bad mood. Grum-pee! What is it about attempted murder that strikes a nerve in most superheroes? Go figure. He just needs a calming cigarette. Sorry. I’m doing my best here.)

The two beings that were witnessing this scene were far from your usual bystander on the street. No. These two perched instead upon the head of a gargoyle statue that was affixed atop a tall building. One of them was known as the hellish Demogoblin! The other had no known name. He was a savage doppelganger of Spider-Man himself! (How’d these two monstrosities meet? I blame online dating sites personally.) The Demogoblin spoke to his growling comrade about how he and the Hobgoblin used to be one being, but now he and the other “sinner” who carried him must be slain! He would kill the Hobgoblin but he’d save Spider-Man for the Doppelganger to do with as it wished! This terrible twosome then began their pursuit! Spidey’s spider-sense suddenly warned him of danger! He immediately let go of his webline and he and the Hobgoblin began to plummet! A smart move, as the six-armed Doppelganger narrowly missed with its many claws! The wall-crawler then fired another web upwards and swung both of them to the top of an adjacent building. That’s when the demonic Demogoblin made his grand entrance!

Riding atop his hellfire glider, he decreed that all sinners would be sent into the pits of firey Hell by his righteous hand, starting with the two before him! (Okay. So it’s become apparent to me that the Demogoblin is in need of some serious therapy! Am I wrong?!) He continued by stating that all who aided the sinner, Hobgoblin, would burn as well! Still carrying the ensnared Hobgoblin, Spidey threw a kick at the Doppelganger, sending it crashing into the Demogoblin and stunning them both! Obviously at a disadvantage, Spider-Man shot another web and swung away in hasty retreat! He didn’t get far, as the Doppelganger fired a web of his own! Only this one has it’s own unique razor-webbing and it sliced right through Spidey’s line! This sent both he and Hobgoblin into a forced nosedive towards the pointed peak of a church roof!

Several blocks away and beneath the streets of Manhattan, two other heroes were on a quest of their own. Ghost Rider turned his flaming head, searching for his evil prey as Johnny Blaze, the man who was the Spirit of Vengeance before him, followed with his hellfire shotgun in hand. They were hunting evil creatures called Deathspawn and they were last seen entering these sewers. Suddenly, Blaze aimed upwards as he sensed something watching them from above! That’s when Venom dropped from the ceiling! (Damn! Who else is in this issue?! Why not add in Archie and Jughead while you’re at it?!) Ghost Rider and Blaze both assumed that Venom was here for them. That’s why they were surprised when he leaped past them to the killers that were hiding in the shadows! They were more human looking versions of these Deathspawn and as Venom tussled with them, more apparition-like creatures crept out to attack the dark heroes!

Meanwhile, Spider-Man and Hobgoblin had survived their fall. Spidey achingly pulled the goblin inside of the church through an unlocked window with sore arms. Hobgoblin once again stated how much easier this would all be if the web-slinger were to cut him free. Spider-Man of course declined. Their conversation was interrupted by the sudden appearance of a priest carrying a flashlight in shakey hands. He called out for them to reveal themselves in a frightened voice. Spider-Man stepped from the shadows, immediately putting the priest’s nerves at ease. Spider-Man asked for help. But before he could even finish his sentence, the priest agreed. He knew the goodness in this hero’s heart and was happy to be of service. (Finally! A bit of good luck for Spidey. I get tired of the whole “misunderstood hero” thing. The guy’s been around since 1962 for God’s sake! Yet he looks to be about 20 to 25 years old…..Comics are weird.)

The priest led them to the catacombs beneath the church to hide from their attackers. After, he then returned to the church’s main floor. But upon his arrival, he was terrified as he was standing face-to-face with the fanged Demogoblin and his many-limbed cohort! The priest ordered them to leave. This was hallowed ground and it would not abide their evil! Growing increasingly impatient, the Doppelganger lept towards the priest’s throat, ready to draw blood one way or another! But the Demogoblin would have none of this! Wasn’t this a man of God not unlike himself? No. The priest would live. He caught the beast by one of it’s arms and forced it back! Instead, he force the priest to lead them to their prey! Terrified, he began to lead them downstairs. Spidey’s luck held however and he noticed the trio before he could be attacked from behind. He made his presence known so that the Demogoblin would forget the priest. It worked! Too well, apparently, because the goblin threw a flaming pumpkin bomb towards Spider-Mans masked face! (Speaking of mental problems, can you imagine how much therapy this priest is gonna need after this night? Hell, you’d think any average person would need some strong meds just to live in a comic universe!)

In the sewers, Ghost Rider, Blaze, and Venom were having trouble of their own! For every Deathspawn they struck down, two more seemed to materialize! Venom, always a loner, soon tired of this and went after his original prey, the human-looking twin Deathspawn! Blaze fired his mystical weapon at the ceiling of the sewers, creating a large hole for them all to escape from. But Venom only cared about his own mission. He webbed up the two villains and escaped from the hole alone! In the church, Demogoblin threw the priest towards Spider-Man to exchange for Hobgoblin! Spidey caught him just as Venom burst through a recent hole that exploded from the catacombs floor! (Aaaand both stories have now intersected. Excellent storytelling. And the writer of this comic isn’t that bad either. ) Venom then spied his longtime arch-nemesis and leaped towards the wall-crawler, forgetting his webbed-up prize from moments ago! However, the Doppelganger would not be denied Spider-Man’s blood! It threw itself full force into Venom and the two monsters clashed in the shadows!

Demogoblin approached Spider-Man, ready to collect Hobgoblin! But this was interrupted as hellfire erupted from the large hole in the floor! Out came Ghost Rider, Blaze, and a horde of fleeing Deathspawn! When the Demogoblin spied Ghost Rider emerging from the sewers below, his fanged mouth spread into an awkward smile! He would slay an actual demon this night! Calling Ghost Rider by his supposed true demon name, he attacked the Spirit of Vengeance! To make matters worse, the still-bound Hobgoblin was being drug into the sewers by the evil wraiths! Ghost Rider and Demogoblin followed, entangled in battle! The same thing for Venom and Doppelganger as they fell in next! Blaze cleared the church catacombs of any remaining Deathspawn spirits with his hellish rifle! He then jumped in as well! (Whee! Sounds like fun! And less dangerous than most amusement park rides too!)

Only Spider-Man and the priest remained now. The rest of the combatants had already vanished into the sewers. Spidey spoke of his wife and family awaiting him at home. If he jumped in as well, there was a good chance he’d never come out alive again. The priest replied that he had already saved countless lives in his superhero career. There was no need to prove anything else. He should follow his heart. Spider-Man thanked the priest before he lept into the abyss and most probably his own certain doom.

to be continued…..

Dedicated to my nephew, Blade Miller, one of the strongest men I know.

90s Comics, 90s DC, DC Comics, Uncategorized

Green with Madness (part 3 of 3)

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Well, here we are, Unspokenites! The thrilling end to the “Emerald Twilight” saga. This article’s events take place in “Green Lantern” #50 and boy, was this one a page-turner! When we last left our “hero”, Hal Jordan had completely lost his mind! Now, all that seems to be standing in his way of achieving ultimate power, is the most evil being to ever work their way through the ranks of the Green Lantern Corps…..Sinestro! You know that it’s really hit the fan if the Guardians have called upon him to be their last line of defense! But enough of the recap. Sit back, relax, and let me take you back in time to 1994…..

The Earth’s Green Lantern looked at his sworn enemy standing defiantly across from him on the near-barren landscape. They’d battled many, many times over the years, but this time he wasn’t going to be the hero at the end of the story. He exclaimed to Sinestro that this would be their final fight. Sinestro smirked and concurred. Hal followed with roaring that he would kill his enemy this time. Sinestro merely scoffed. Hal Jordan has always been a big boy scout after all. The superhero doesn’t murder the supervillain. That was just a fact. That’s when Hal blasted Sinestro with a large burst of power, knocking the alien flying. After he recovered, he wiped the blood from his lips and grinned. (That’s right, Sinestro, tickle the homicidal bear on its tushie. Run, you fool! He’s gone friggin’ nuts!)

Sinestro stood and said that yes, Hal could obviously defeat him with the amount of power literally at his fingertips right now. But then he’d never know who was really better, would he? He’d always wonder. Hal then let all of the rings he’d acquired on his rampage drop to the rocky ground save one. (He fell for that?! For all of his might, and Hal still gets miffed if he’s called a wussy?!) Both Green Lanterns then mustered all of their inner strength and unleashed a mighty, green bast at one another at the same time! While the Guardians looked on at a somewhat safe distance, the two champions clashed below them! One would create an energy construct and the other would find a way to trump it with their own. Over and over again this would happen. Until finally, Hal drew first blood by opening up Sinestro underneath his ribcage! Both hurled themselves at the other then, creating a mighty crashing noise not unlike the loudest of thunderclaps! And still, the Guardians passively looked on.

As the dust settled, both men rose. Forgetting their powerful rings, they began to fight hand to hand. Punches and kicks were brutally delivered one after another until, bleeding profusely, Sinestro found himself in a headlock. Hal said to his longtime foe that he should have done this a long time ago. And before Sinestro could finish a witty retort, there was a quick snap of his neck! He fell lifeless to the ground! (Daaaaaamn! I might have to have a moment here. I’m utterly shocked! Aren’t you? Who wears a white cape after labor day? Geez!) Hal turned and walked towards the large Central Batterey. But before he could fully reach it, a large hand from behind grabbed him and pulled him back! It was Kilowog! He wasn’t defeated so easily after all! He only said, “No.” He followed that one word up with a big fist to the jaw that sent Hal sailing!

Kilowog continues his assault while he tries his best to talk some sense into his once-friend. Had Hal ever thought about how the Green Lanterns that he had depowered would survive in deep space without their rings to feed them an artificial atmosphere to breathe in? What if they were in mid-combat? Hal had no answer. In fact, he fell silent completely. Kilowog stopped attacking long enough to let his words sink in. It didn’t work. The fight lasted only a bit longer before Hal caught the alien’s oversized fist and blasted Kilowog with so much force, his blackened corpse was all that remained! (Umm. Now hear me out. You know how Kilowog somewhat looks like a pig? Do you…..um……think he smells like bacon at this moment? Oh, now I’m the monster?!) Hal then dropped to his knees and a single tear trailed down his bloody face. He then stood after a long moment and let his remaining ring fall to the ground. Hal Jordan began climbing the steps to the Central Battery.

He stopped a few steps up after hearing a small voice speak from behind him. It was the Guardians. They spoke of how he was no longer worthy of the power. How much of a disappointment he was. And now, he would be punished. These words enraged the ex-Green Lantern. Punished? By whom? All he wanted was to bring everything back. Why couldn’t they allow this one act? He turned and finished his walk, entering the core of the enormous battery itself! The Guardians turned to one of their own, Ganthet. There was only one hope left to the universe now. As they concentrated, they began to actually become green energy themselves! They then all combined as one and entered Ganthet’s small form! When this act was finished, the battery exploded! And out stepped what was no longer Hal Jordan. What emerged now was power and darkness personified. He looked down and spied his old ring upon the ground. With a look of disgust, he stomped it to pieces with his mighty heel. (Dark and menacing much? Come on! It’s only a comic book story. Only nerds take this stuff seriously…..I retract my statement.)

Ganthet crawled from underneath the corpses of his dead brethren. He picked up the broken ring and concentrated. The ring reformed! Then, using the very last of his energy, he sailed off into the night sky. Meanwhile, on Earth, young Kyle Rayner exited a nightclub to get some air. There was a sudden flash of green light! He looked towards its source and the weakened Guardian handed him the ring before vanishing completely. Curious, Kyle place the ring on his finger. The uniform of the Green Lantern Corps appeared over his body! It seemed that a legend was in the making.

The end and a new beginning.

Dedicated to Tim Osborn. Brothers 4-Life!

90s Comics, 90s DC, DC Comics, Uncategorized

Green with Madness (part 2 of 3)

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We’ve all had one of those moments in our lives where we just want to snap and go on a rampage. Something has angered us so much that we’d love to deal out some of the pain we’ve felt back to the world. Hal Jordan of the Green Lantern Corps has just had that moment. Only he isn’t going to take a breath and calm down. He’s truly snapped beyond repair. Witness the fall of a hero as I recount the events of “Green Lantern” #49…..

Hal used his stolen energy to propel himself through outer space. His ultimate destination was the planet Oa, home of the Green Lantern Corps central battery! As he approached, the Guardians sent Green Lantern after Green Lantern to attempt to stop him. But Hal wasn’t regarded as the best for nothing. One after another, they would fall like bowling pins, and Hal would add to his growing power by taking the fallen hero’s ring! A Green Lantern’s ring was powered by the wearer’s will after all, and right now, Hal’s will was at the strongest it had ever been! (Damn! Somebody needs to tell Hal that if all he wanted was bling, all he needed to do was stop at any rapper’s mansion and he’d have more rings than he could ever need! Flavor Flav!)

The Lanterns would all try to reason with him while they gave the fight their all, but their pleas would always fall upon deaf ears and Hal would continue onward after he defeated them. He would be the Guardians’ puppet no longer. He would take all of the power that they had and bring back all that he had lost. Meanwhile on Oa, the Guardians looked down upon all of the cosmos. In particular, they watched as their once greatest champion advanced upon them with hate-filled eyes. They commented that even he was no threat. They were unconcerned. One of their number however, Ganthet, remained unconvinced. The next to fall was a close friend of Hal’s in the Corps. It seemed as though no-one meant anything more to him now than another obstacle to overcome in his mission! (And I though Guardians were ancient and therefore intelligent beings! You don’t mess with an angry human! We’ll nearly kill each other on Black Fridays! And that’s just over the newest video game console!)

Next, he was blindsided by a newer and somewhat unorthodox Green Lantern by the name of Jack T. Chance. Jack followed up his sneak attack by pulling out a large gun and aiming at the once-hero! But, within mere moments, Jack also floated, beaten and ringless, in the cold emptiness of space! (Wow! Even Lobo didn’t stand a chance! Wait. What? Jack T. Chance? You mean DC ripped off their own character? Weird. That’s like Marvel having more than one Spider-Man. Lol! They did what and how many times?!) More and more heroes of the Corps fell as Hal Jordan gained more and more power! That is until he was struck from behind by the warrior woman, Boodikka! Hal had inducted her into the mighty Green Lantern Corps himself. Boodikka did her best. Failure wasn’t an option for her. She even stated that her ring was as one with her as her own hand. That’s why Hal created a blade construct and lopped it off before he took her ring as well!

The Guardians were growing uneasy. Anyone could tell that fear was creeping into their proud yet arrogant demeanor. They were confident that their failsafe plan would save them. Ganthet once again spoke out against this plan, but even in the end, even he had to admit that there was no other way. (Those poor little Smurfs. First the constant threat of Gargamel trying to eat them all of the time, and now this!) The next to stand in Hal’s way was the mighty Kilowog, a close friend of his and a trainer for the Corps. He would definitely be no pushover. Hal and Kilowog had their words but instead of surrender, Hal chose to fight. The two titans clashed with furious power and experienced accuracy. But in the end, even a legendary fighter like Kilowog stood no chance. He fell like all of the rest.

Hal Jordan approached the enormous Central Batterey upon Oa at last. The Guardians materialized in energy form, pleading that he surrender himself. Hal laughed maniacally. He’d come too far to be stopped now. It was all or nothing. The Guardians said that he had given them no choice then. That’s when a cloaked figure emerged from green energy of the Central Batterey itself. Hal looked on in utter shock as the being pulled back his hood. Sinestro, the “fallen one” of the Green Lantern Corps stood revealed and ready to defend the cosmos that he had so often threatened himself!

To be concluded…..

Dedicated to my daughter, Jade Leigh Miller, who’s turning 21 and to my son, James Christian Miller, who will be turning 20. I love you both.