Comics Corner: The Amazing Spider-Man 242

   

Title: The Amazing Spider-Man
Issue Number: 242
Release Date: July 1983

Highlights

  • Reference is made to Marvel Team-Up 129, 130, Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man 76, Fantastic Four 70, and 71
  • Peter returns to ESU to see if his grades from last semester were passable for him to continue school
  • Dr. Sloan informs Peter that he hasn't graded all of his exams, as he's short handed since Debbie Whitman left
  • Peter finds out the Amy Powell and Lance Bannon have an open relationship, and that she's using him to get Lance jealous - He wants no part of it
  • A redheaded woman, who we only see from behind approaches Peter's apartment building, only to be told he's not there - It's obviously Mary Jane Watson
  • Spider-Man grumbles as Lance Bannon gets photos of him, reminding the readers that he lost his camera when it was damaged during his battle with Doctor Octopus
  • Amy Powell brings herself to Peter's apartment, and starts kissing him, only to be interrupted by Mary Jane, who let's herself in
Low Points
  • None
Oddities
  • Spider-Man blows up the Con-Ed generator, which in turn destroys the building - Who's going to pay for all that property damage?
  • Why does Mary Jane have a key to Peter's apartment?
Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)



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Retro Spins: Europe - Out Of This World

 

Ah, yes, that iconic synth riff of The Final Countdown. Despite not being fully realized until the 1986 album of the same name, it's actually a composition which lead singer Joey Tempest had composed around 1981. The song would be released as the first single from the album, and peak at number one in twenty-five countries, leading the album itself to peak at number eight on the Billboard Hot 200.

Unfortunately, the success of the album brought with it issues for guitarist John Norum. Despite his awesome guitar licks and killer solos, he felt that the success of the album was pointing the band in a direction he didn't want to go. He was quoted as saying, "We became this teeny-bopper, bubblegum band and I hated that whole image, the spandex, poodle-rock type of thing. I was more into the heavier, guitar-oriented stuff and it seemed like the keyboards were taking over more and more, and we were becoming more commercial. So I decided to leave. I just wanted to move on and do something else." Kee Marcello was asked to replace him, and joined the band at its peak commercial success.

Europe concluded their Final Countdown tour in 1987, and by the time it was over had two additional tracks in the top thirty US charts. Carrie would reach number three, while Rock The Night would just make the cut at number thirty. Additionally, Cherokee peaked at seventy-two. The album, as a whole, would go triple platinum in the USA, double platinum in Canada, platinum in France, and gold in the UK, Netherlands, and Germany.

With expectations high, the band returned to the studio to record and release 1988's Out Of This World. Though the album would peak at nineteen on the Billboard Hot 200, and go platinum in the USA, and Sweden, as well as gold in France and Canada. However, it would overall fail to perform as expected, only spawning one Billboard Hot 100 single, Superstitious, which peaked at thirty-one.

Playing through it, the album keeps that all to familiar sound from the band, which is definitely a good thing. Despite this, it's definitely weaker than their prior release, and this is possibly from the loss of Norum. The songs just don't have the energy that typically accompanied them. Mind you this isn't because of the synthesizers taking over. Rather, it's because the band seems intent to focus on several ballads.

That's not to say there aren't hard hitting rock songs here. Personally, I dug Superstitious, Let The Good Times Rock, Ready Or Not, and Never Say Die. I'll even give a nod of approval to some of the ballads / slower paced tunes, such as, Open Your Heart, and Sign Of The Times.

Overall, it's a good album, and I must say, I don't hate my journey through the band Europe. In fact, I rather enjoyed it, and found a lot of good stuff hidden amongst the albums.

The band would release 1991's Prisoner's In Paradise, and once again set out on tour. However, by 1992, they were ready for a break, and to try something new. As such, they put the group on hiatus to pursue other projects, and as a result were dropped from Epic Records.

The core members, Joey Tempest, John Norum, John Levén, Mic Michaeli, and Ian Haugland would reform Europe in 2003, and release six additional studio albums between 2004 and 2017. They would also embark on a 40th Anniversary tour in 2023, which concluded in September of that year. Though they remain active, there's not been much further announced from the band since.

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THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
October 16, 1982

 

Comics Corner: Marvel Team-Up 131

   

Title: Marvel Team-Up
Issue Number: 131
Release Date: July 1983

Highlights

  • First appearance of White Rabbit, AKA Lorina Dodson, and her cronies, the White Rabbit Gang: Joe Face, Chuck, Mel, and Miguel
  • The second appearance of the fabulous Frog-Man
  • Reference is made to Marvel Team-Up 121, 125, 128, and Daredevil 25
  • Spider-Man tells Eugene, AKA Frog-Man that the latter is not a super hero 
  • Peter learns his friend Roger Hotchberg is having financial difficulties with his mom in the hospital, and secretly vows to capture White Rabbit for the reward money to help him
  • Because of their crushing financial difficulties, Joe Patilio, Eugene's dad, takes a job with White Rabbit
  • The origin of White Rabbit is revealed - A spoiled rich girl who's bored
  • Eugene goes after the reward for capturing the White Rabbit
  • Roger knocks out White Rabbit, earning himself a part of the reward - Only a part because...
  • ...Turns out that Eugene's dad was working under cover by joining up with White Rabbit to bring her in
Low Points
  • None
Oddities
  • Editor's Day Off: Multiple panels with Spider-Man's lenses colored red
  • Editor's Day Still Off: Frog-Man says, "You've got another think coming."
Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)



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Retro Spins: Europe - Wings Of Tomorrow


Eleven months after their successful debut across Sweden and Japan, Europe released their sophomore album, Wings Of Tomorrow. It would be a pivotal release, attracting the attention of Epic Records who would offer them an international contract in 1985.

Singer Joey Tempest would state "I think one of the most important albums for the band was Wings of Tomorrow. We were learning how to write songs and John started playing some really cool stuff on the guitar. We became a better band and that was a good period for the band."

However, this doesn't mean the road was clear of troubles. During the first leg of their subsequent tour, drummer Tony Reno would be fired. The band would state the reasoning was for his lack of motivation, and slacking off during rehearsals. He'd be replaced Ian Haugland. Additionally, Mic Michaeli would step in to provide keyboard support during the tours, eventually joining the band full time.

However, before we get there, we have to pause for 1984's Wings Of Tomorrow.

There's definitely a higher quality to the overall sound of the album. I would also agree with Tempest's statement above that there is a lot of cool stuff on the guitar happening. It also, as a whole, inches closer to the overall sound of the forthcoming The Final Countdown album.

With that said, it's not as strong an album as the band's prior debut. Mind you, I didn't hear anything I would say I didn't like. However, there's definitely fewer tracks which stand out in comparison. For me, these included, Stormwind, Open Your Heart, Wings Of Tomorrow, and Wasted Time.

Overall, I'd call this one another hidden gem of the 80's, and echo what I said about the previous release from Europe. If you're a fan of the band's 1986 album, and / or you dig 80's hair band metal, then this one is definitely worth checking out.

As noted above, Europe would end up signing with Epic Records based on the strength of their sophomore release. However, prior to the release of their breakthrough album, they'd first record some tracks for the Swedish film, On The Loose. It's most prominently noteworthy for having an early version of the hit, Rock The Night, which was re-recorded for their 1986 album. The title track would also be added to that album.

For the soundtrack itself, it was only released on vinyl in Sweden. It's relatively cheap to come by, but you can also check it out below.


Sweden would also bring its artists together to record their own We Are The World event, and it would be Joey Tempest who took up the challenge of writing the song. Their contribution, Give Love A Helpin' Hand, was released under the banner, Swedish Metal Aid. Much like the above noted soundtrack, it too was only available on vinyl, but you can check it out down below too.


As noted many times in this post, and the previous one, Europe would have their breakthrough in 1986 with The Final Countdown. However, I've already reviewed that album as a Retro Spin. As such, tomorrow we'll be diving into their final album of the decade, 1988's Out Of This World.

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THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
October 15, 1983
 
THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
October 15, 1988


Comics Corner: Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man 80

   

Title: Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man
Issue Number: 80
Release Date: July 1983

Highlights

  • A rare Spider-Man issue starring, and from the flashback perspective of J. Jonah Jameson, who is presently narrating as he types out his story on a typewriter at his desk
  • The origin of how Jameson started working as a reporter, and eventually bought the Daily Bugle
  • An older J. Jonah Jameson sets off to prove he's still got the chops to pound the pavement, and be an effective reporter
  • Jameson takes a risky meeting with Kingpin, trading extortion secrets of the Kingpin for information
  • Spider-Man works in the shadows to keep Jameson safe from the numerous thugs and attackers that come after him as the owner of the Bugle chases down his story
  • Jameson gets his hands on the file he needs to crack the story, but then drops it when attacked
  • Spider-Man only reveals himself to Jameson by way of a web strand which returns the dropped file to him - Jameson is not amused to have been helped by the web spinner
  • A perfect story
Low Points
  • None
Oddities
  • None
Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)



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Retro Spins: Europe - Europe


Who got their introduction to Europe with their 1986 powerhouse album, The Final Countdown? I know I did. Did any of you hear anything before that from them? How about after? They were kind of like Falco in a way. Came out of nowhere, hit hard with one big album, then disappeared completely.

The bands roots began in Upplands Väsby in 1979, when Joey Tempest, John Norum, Peter Olsson, and Tony Reno formed the group, Force. Initially, they served only as a cover band, using this to learn their instruments, and how to perform together. However, it would be Tempest who would suggest they start writing their own material, and present the first few songs for consideration.

Despite sending demos to various record companies, they seemed to receive the same feedback. In order to be successful, the members would told they'd have to cut their hair, and switch to singing in their native Swedish language.

Olsson would leave the band in 1981, and be replaced by John Levén. However, after just a couple months, Levén would leave, but keep up for a bit. He'd join the group, Rising Force, and Marcel Jacob, who was serving as their bass player, would take his role in Force. However, shortly after, the two would switch back, with Levén returning to Force, and Jacob returning to Rising Force.

In 1982, Tempest's girlfriend entered them in the Swedish Rock-SM contest, and prior to it, formally changed their name to Europe. They not only went up against 4,000 other bands, but won, with the grand prize being a recording deal with Hot Records. Additionally, Tempest would win a separate award for best vocals, while guitarist, Norum, won an award for his instrumentation.

Europe released their self titled debut in 1983, and found it selling well in both Sweden and Japan. It would chart at number eight in the home country, while the single, Seven Doors Hotel, became a top ten single in Japan.

Playing through it, I have to wonder where this album has been all my life. It's fantastic! I would highly suggest that if you like their opus, The Final Countdown (the album), you'll enjoy hearing the roots of where it all started.

It's really no surprise that its sounds echo that of their 1986 release, as Tempest is credited as the main writing on the majority of all the tracks across their four albums released in the 80's. If nothing else, you find familiarity in that, and the ears, I've found, like that.

Re-Issue Cover

Europe's debut is definitely a hidden gem. Though I found it enjoyable from start to finish, I'll highlight the tracks, In The Future To Come, Farewell, Seven Doors Hotel, and The King Will Return, which I feel are the strongest of the bunch.

With a good start under their belts, the band would return to the studio to record what would become their sophomore album, Wings Of Tomorrow. It would be pinnacle to the group's forthcoming worldwide breakthrough. But, we'll get into the details of that tomorrow.

For now, I urge you to check this one out. If you're a fan of Europe's 1986 album, or simple dig good 80's hair band rock, then I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

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THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
October 11, 1989

 

Comics Corner: Marvel Fanfare 6

   

Title: Marvel Fanfare
Issue Number: 6
Release Date: January 1983

Highlights

  • First appearance of Elata, Billy, and Howard
  • Reference is made to Marvel Team-Up 21
Low Points
  • I'm not a big fan of when Spider-Man stories meet sorcerers and sorcery
  • Feels unnecessary in the Spider-Man reading chronology - He easily could have been replaced by any other Marvel character
Oddities
  • None
Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)



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Living Vicariously Through My Brother - Eating In Japan


The sights, the sounds, the food. All good reasons to go to Japan. Well, we've already looked at several of the sights, so let's check out the food!












































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