tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6672923492889685727.post5101058988635081252..comments2024-03-27T05:54:38.797-07:00Comments on <i>bare</i>•bones e-zine: The Warren Report Issue 84: May 1977John Scolerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14082147756474762000noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6672923492889685727.post-73723433302224610122022-05-09T09:33:35.694-07:002022-05-09T09:33:35.694-07:00I've read this issue at least 4 or 5 times ove...I've read this issue at least 4 or 5 times over the years and I still don't understand what "Castles Made of Sand" is supposed to be about. Easily one of the most nonsensical stories Warren would ever publish. Makes me think of the days when T. Casey Brennan would write similar incomprehensible stories that somehow made their way into the magazines. "Eye for Eye, Fang for Fang" on the other hand comes off as way more of a traditional horror story. I figure this has to be an inventory story as Doug Moench was long gone from Warren at this point. "Temple of Seilos" is an interesting tale although I was a bit confused by it and not as high on it as you. Not much to "Iron Man", but enjoyed the Esteban Maroto art. "Second Childhood" is a fairly strong wrap up and the best story of the issue for me in story and art. Torrents continues to do a good job at providing a pretty scary atmosphere.<br /><br />The original Blood Red Queen of Hearts was one of my favorite Vampirella stories to this point (helped by some great Esteban Maroto art); this second appearance is not as good but I don't mind them bringing her back if only since Vampi has to this point hardly ever had a recurring supernatural villain character (the closest would probably be Dracula who was in the strip from around issue 16 - 20 or so) and that's a nice way to mix up the formula. "He Who Laughs Last" was a pretty good story; I too at first thought there were too many endings although given the practical joke nature of the story it does kinda fit. Some great Luis Bermejo art, but not much of a story to "Riding Shotgun". "Wish You Were Here" was a pretty decent story, albeit one with a very predictable ending. I didn't think of the connection to "The Escape Chronicles" but that is an apt comparison. "Fallen Angel", comes off much like "Sleeping Beauty" from two issues ago, as if Dubay took a Maroto story drawn overseas (my speculation, no official word of that on these stories), and wrote a new story over it. This is very much "The Little Mermaid" as a Warren story and works quite well for me. Maroto also turns in one of his most beautiful looking art jobs. Great way to wrap up the issue. <br /><br />The non-sci fi parts of this Rook story seem like something I've read a million times before and seems like a cliché western story. A so-so story for me that similar to most Rook stories, goes on too long. I'm fine with the choice to bring back Hard John Apple as a recurring character, and kinda surprised they didn't reprint the original story (sans color) to get it started. Like you though I feel this initial story spends too much time retelling the first one. Am at least interested in seeing where it goes from here though. "Gaffer" is one of the more memorable series from this era of Eerie for me and one I look forward to revisiting although my recollection is this opening story is the weakest of the series. Pretty good concept with "Presto the Besto". As they did all those things to him I thought that there was no way he could come back alive from it. And that's exactly what happens!Quiddity99https://www.blogger.com/profile/17809157926893454731noreply@blogger.com