The Toy Box

Comics Corner: Iron Man 234

Title: Iron Man
Issue Number: 234
Release Date: September 1988

Highlights

First appearance of Mrs. Donna Twain
Tony Stark is attending the 31st Annual Conclave Of Electronics Engineers And Innovators with his latest Iron Man design

Peter uses his press credentials to get in, even though he's not on assignment

Chen Lu is on a stage giving a presentation for Stane International, when he sense a biorganic radiation

This in turn sets Peter's spidey senses off

Vic Martinelli, a security guard who stayed with Stane when he and Tony split from each other, palms a note to him while shaking hands
Spider-Man returns that evening to the exhibit hall, intent on investigating the source that set of his spidey sense earlier

The source is still there, Chen Lu, the Radioactive Man, and he confronts the hero

Radioactive Man is able to get his hands on Spider-Man, sapping his strength until he falls unconscious
After spending the night with Kathy Dare, Tony remembers the note, and reads the message asking him to come to a specific location at a specific time

Vic tells Tony about Radioactive Man, and agrees to help get Iron Man access to Stane's compound

In the compound, Radioactive Man has Spider-Man unmasked, and is running test on him

He intends to make a formula based on Spidey's blood, and sell it, but also informs the hero that if he doesn't survive losing the volume of blood that he intends to extract that he'll learn what he can by dissecting his body

Iron Man crashes through the wall, and draws Radioactive Man far enough away from Spider-Man for him to regain his strength, and break free
Spider-Man slips on a radiation suit, allowing him to fight the villain
Iron Man melts the led ceiling in the lab, covering Radiation Man in it, and then hitting him with ultra-Freon to cool it, creating a prison over his body

Low Points

None

Oddities

None

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)

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Retro Spins: Hanoi Rocks - Oriental Beat

After embarking on a Finnish record number of tours, Hanoi Rocks dove back into the studio to record and release their sophomore album, Oriental Beat (1982), as well as record their first ever music videos which included the tracks, Tragedy, Oriental Beat, and Motorvatin'. The song Tragedy would lead to the band's breakthrough in Japan, but overall, the album would be well received.

It would also serve as the first for vocalist Michael Monroe to contribute to song writing, whereas in their debut, all but one track was written by guitarist Andy McCoy. Katrina Leskanich, of Katrina And The Waves, would also step in to provide backing vocals on Don't Follow Me.

Despite going on to be listed on the 100 Greatest Rock Albums by the Finnish radio show, Radio Rock, the members of the band are not fans of Oriental Beat. Monroe blames the work of producer, Pete Wooliscroft, who he states mixed the album while they were on tour, with no working knowledge of who they were, or what their sound was about. Bassist Sam Yaffa would sum it up even shorter, by simply stating it as a piece of s**t.

Well, on that note, let's jump right in.

I think I'm going to have to agree with the critics and fans on this one. The album is pretty solid, and a good follow-up to their 1981 debut, Bangkok Shocks, Saigon Shakes, Hanoi Rocks. Songs, Motorvatin', Don't Follow Me, No Law Or Order, Devil Woman, and Fallen Star were all standouts for me.

Nothing really steps out of a comfort zone in terms of the band evolving or changing their sound. Instead, it's just more of what came before it, and I'm fine with that. About the only addition is more prevalent use of the saxophone. As I noted in my previous review, I don't typically associate that instrument with hair metal, but it works for Hanoi Rocks.

Overall, I'm still on board, and interested in hearing more from them.

By this time the members had fully relocated to London. While taking in a show of Johnny Thunders, Monroe would meet Nicholas Charles Dingley, AKA Razzle, the drummer for a local punk band called The Dark. After learning Monroe was the lead singer for Hanoi Rocks, he began attending shows, and showing up backstage, where he soon asked to join as their new drummer. With their current drummer, Gyp Casino struggling with drug abuse, depression, and suicidal thoughts, Monroe and guitarist McCoy took him up on his request, firing Casino.

However, before the above could happen, the band would release their third album, Self Destruction Blues (also released in 1982), which comprised of singles and B-sides recorded between 1981 and 1982. That's where I pick up tomorrow.

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Disclaimer: They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or distribution.

Comics Corner: The Amazing Spider-Man 305

Title: The Amazing Spider-Man
Issue Number: 305
Release Date: Late September 1988

Highlights

First appearance of Troy Fishburne of Transcorp
First appearance of the Algonquin Hotel in Los Angeles, and Sea Prince Hotel in Laguna Beach
The story picks up where the last left off, with the Prowler standing over Black Fox, there too for the Valencia chalice which the cat burglar just stole
Meanwhile, Spider-Man is in the main room of the gala signing autographs
After signing, Spider-Man goes after Black Fox again, only to come across him and the Prowler
With Spider-Man distracting the Prowler, Black Fox uses the opportunity to bail with the chalice, while guards can also be heard approaching
The Prowler quickly tells Spider-Man that he needs the chalice, that it's the only thing that will keep his wife out of prison

He tells Spider-Man he's at the Algonquin Hotel, and to meet him there in the morning, where he'll explain everything

Spider-Man heads there the next day, and finds that Hobie Brown, AKA the Prowler, checked out the night before

Black Fox makes alternate plans to sell the chalice, and get out of town
At the beach, Mary Jane cheers Peter up by telling him he can't solve every problem, and to let this one go
Later at his book signing, Peter learns he's going to be on Johnny Carson, and that evening, he is
Even later, Spider-Man tracks the Prowler to the Transcorp building, and confronts him on being lied to
Hobie explains that his wife took a job at Transcorp, but unknown to her, they did dirty business, and when the feds caught on, came up with phony records, and set her up for the fall

The real records are hidden in a microchip on the chalice

Eavesdropping on a meeting, the two learn that Transcorp has tracked Black Fox's movements, and that he's getting on a freighter soon

They intend on killing him and taking the chalice back

Spider-Man and Prowler get to the docks just as the gunfire starts
As Hobie deals with the gunmen, Spider-Man captures the Black Fox, but decides to just take the chalice, and let him go, feeling he's too old to survive in prison

Hobie gets the chip, and the news later announces she's been set free based on the new evidence presented, and reports on the deeper corruptions of Transcorp

Felix the Cat is on the poster attached to the table Peter is signing books at

Low Points

Todd McFarlane did not hide any spiders on the cover of this issue

Oddities

None

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)

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Retro Spins: Hanoi Rocks - Bangkok Shocks, Saigon Shakes, Hanoi Rocks

Welcome to Finland! Home of Hanoi Rocks, the band credited, or as lead singer Michael Monroe would say, blamed for the look and style that would become 80's glam hair metal. Men with big hair, makeup painted faces, and tight leather. Or, as Steven Tyler would say, "Dude (Looks Like A Lady)".

The band was formed by Michael Monroe, and friend, Andy McCoy in 1979, but soon expand to include Stefan Piesnack, Nasty Suicide (Jan-Markus Stenfors), Nedo Soininen, and Peki Sirola. Though they began touring local Finnish clubs, by 1980 relocated to the UK. While most of the members lived on the streets, begging for money, McCoy stayed with his wealthy girlfriend. As Monroe would state in a later interview, when invited to people's homes, the first place the boys would hit would be the refrigerator.

A deal was made with Johanna Kustannus, to release the debut single, I Want You / Kill City Kills, followed by a 102-day tour which kicked off in January 1981. The tour would be credited as the longest in Finnish rock history and also hone the boy's energetic onstage presence.

To keep pushing them forward, the band released the second single, Tragedy / Café Avenue in February 1981, following it a month later with their debut album, Bangkok Shocks, Saigon Shakes, Hanoi Rocks. Dubbed, The Muddy Twins, Monroe and McCoy would produce the record themselves. The album would become a relatively immediate success in Finland, peaking at number fourteen.

When I fired it up, I was expecting the likes of Mötley Crüe or Twisted Sister. Instead, I got something reminiscent of the early 80's punk scene, more comparable to The Ramones. It wasn't terrible by any means, just surprising.

I found enjoyable tracks in Village Girl, Cheyenne, 11th Street Kidzz, and Walking With My Angel, but most surprisingly, the original version of Don't Never Leave Me. Granted I had only recently come across this song, but I associated it with the much slower paced 1984 version from their album, Two Steps From The Move. While the latter version is definitely the superior, this faster tempo one isn't horrible.

Lead singer, Monroe, is by far among the likes of Freddie Mercury, Steve Perry, or candidly anyone else who could consistently hold a note. He frequently sings off key, aiming for notes that are clearly out of his range, which perhaps is part of the charm. It certainly makes his vocals unique, and for now, I'm interested in hearing more from Hanoi Rocks.

I will say that what Monroe lacks in hitting notes, he more than makes up for in his skill on saxophone and harmonica. I can honestly say that the sax isn't something I often equate with hair metal, but it works here. In particular on Walking With My Angel, and Pretender, where it's very prevalent.

After an extensive tour throughout 1981 of Sweden and Finland, the band returned to London to record their second album, Oriental Beat (1982). A lineup change would also soon occur, one which would not only change the course of the band, but end in tragedy. At the risk of getting too far ahead of the changes that would soon come, I'll stop there.

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Comics Corner: The Amazing Spider-Man 304

Title: The Amazing Spider-Man
Issue Number: 304
Release Date: Early September 1988

Highlights

The Amazing Spider-Man becomes bi-monthly
First appearance of Ginny Edwards, and Jonathan Caesar
First appearance of the Jonathan Duncan Civic Center
Peter stands in the office of J. Jonah Jameson with Mr. Wilton of Wilton Books, and his assistant, Mrs. Greely

Peter holds in his hand a book called, "Webs", which features page after page of his photographs of Spider-Man

Peter protests the company doing a book on his photographs without his permission, to which he's told that the Bugle owns the rights to them all

They still offer Peter an opportunity to do signings, saying they'll pay $25,000.00, and all expenses

Starting school again in the fall, he agrees, but when they ask him to convince Spider-Man to also attend the signings, he tells them no way

As Peter dawns his suit, and swings away from the Bugle, he admits that it will be a blast to see the name of Peter Parker on a book when he walking into a book store, and actually looks forward to getting some of the attention that is often sidelined from him by his alter ego
Peter tells Mary Jane about his opportunity, and informs her that his first gig in in Los Angeles, which she tells him she'll attend too
Reference is made to Web Of Spider-Man 14, and 15
Black Fox is on the West Coast, making himself at home in the mansion of the wealthy Mr. and Mrs. Osgood Hempstead, who while away on vacation are about to be a few possessions short

He basks at the thought of not having to deal with Spider-Man

As Mary Jane and Peter are headed out for their trip, they run into Jonathan Caesar, the owner of the building, who takes an interest in Mary Jane
Arriving in Los Angeles, Peter and Mary Jane are whisked away in a limo with Ginny Edwards, who is going through his itinerary with him

She mentions that while his evening is booked, his afternoon is free

Peter and Mary Jane go to Disneyland

In the evening, the two are taken to a charity gala, where the Valencia Chalice will be on display for the evening before being returned to Europe
Black Fox pickpockets an invitation to the gala off of a passing man, who he "accidentally" bumps into
Peter sees Black Fox across the room, and tells Mary Jane he's going to go look for a soda machine
Black Fox infiltrates the Gala, and gets his hand on the Chalice, but he's immediately interrupted by Spider-Man
Using smoke bombs, the cat burglar gives Spider-Man the slip

Meanwhile, thinking the thief ducked through a door, Spider-Man flings it open only to be met by gasps of people attending the gala

Mary Jane plays it off by introducing him, and telling everyone he's there as a surprise guest

In a different surprise appearance Black Fox is stopped in his tracks by "bullets" that fly over his head, only to discover they came from the Prowler, who says he too is there for the chalice
Felix the Cat is on one of the pieces of clothing being hung out to dry

Low Points

Though Todd McFarlane started last issue with hiding spiders on the covers, there are none on this one

Oddities

None

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)

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Retro Spins: Doro - Force Majeure

After being bamboozled out of the rights to her own band's name by previous manager, Peter Zimmerman, Doro Pesch opted to carry on under her own name. Why not? She'd just broken the door wide open in the USA, finding success on MTV with videos to the band's 1986 album, True As Steel, and finally peaking on the Billboard 200 with 1987's Triumph And Agony. To stop now would be non-sensical.

However, how does one stay relevant with a sudden name change that may leave fans confused? Simple. When the album Force Majeure was released in 1989, original pressing included a sticker on the shrink wrap which read, "+ Warlock" next to her name. The end result was her highest charting album in Germany (peaking at number 5) and Switzerland (12). While it would still peak on the Billboard 200, it was far lower than the prior Warlock album, reaching 154.

At this point, while Doro was the only remaining German in the band, Force Majeure would also feature previous Warlock album bassist, Tommy Henriksen, though he would depart prior to the end of the year. The two would be joined by new guitarist Jon Levin, and drummer Bobby Rondinelli.

As I noted yesterday, Warlock was an up and down roller coaster ride, one album good, the next forgettable. With the previous being the latter, it's shocking, but not surprising that with this one, Doro comes back out of nowhere delivering another solid album. This inconsistency is what bums me out about the band as a whole, but at the same time, I'll take the good where I can.

With that said, the first half was the better of the album, with standout tracks being Save My Soul, World Gone Wild, Mission Of Mercy, and Angels With Dirty Faces. The second half, on the other hand, fell to quickly forgettable territory. Still a descent album, but not perfect by any means.

Doro would go on to release fourteen more albums to date between 1990 and 2023. Though throughout that, lineup changes would occur rather frequently, typically from album to album. This would stem from Pesch's own desire to never repeat herself, often seeking out new musicians to achieve the sound she was going for with projects.

At sixty-one years old, Doro continues to tour, showing no signs of slowing down, or retiring. As of May 2026, she's kicked off an extensive tour of Europe and the UK, which will consist of twenty-two shows, ending on December 17. She's also busy scheduling festivals and additional shows for 2027, with her first occurring May 7 and 8 at Braunschweig, Germany's Rock in Rautheim Open Air.

As for me, tomorrow I dive into another all-new territory band. One which was credited for, or as lead singer Michael Monroe would say, blamed for the look that became 80's hair metal. A band that at the height of their popularity, and on the brink of a breakthrough, was derailed by an avoidable tragedy which took the life of their drummer. I'm talking about the Finnish band, Hanoi Rocks.

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Comics Corner: The Amazing Spider-Man 303

Title: The Amazing Spider-Man
Issue Number: 303
Release Date: August 1988

Highlights

Todd McFarlane begins hiding spiders on the covers for readers to find

There is one hidden on this cover

First appearance of Arnie
Reference is made to The Amazing Spider-Man 301, and Captain America 344
Spider-Man returns home from a night out, but behind the mask, Peter still struggles with Mary Jane telling him that she didn't want to leave New York, despite Peter having a dream job offer with On-Line Research in Emporia, Kansas
Silver Sable is testing the abilities of Sandman, who she's hired to help her find and defeat Franz Kraus
As Peter strolls through the Bugle, he hears an angry J. Jonah Jameson griping about Spider-Man, and finds out Silver Sable has placed an add in the paper advertising a job opportunity for the wall crawler
At her photo shoot, Mary Jane isn't focused, and questions if she loves Peter enough to move to Kansas
Silver Sable's team is in place, Spider-Man on stealth, Sandman on muscle, and they're at the headquarters of Kraus
Inside, Spider-Man finds crates of drugs, he then overhears Kraus explaining that they're selling the drugs to Kingpin, and with the profits will buy enough land in Central America to create their own Nazi State
At home, Mary Jane starts packing bags, and says to herself that she needs to make a decision, hope it's the right one, and live with the consequences
Spider-Man provides Silver Sable with the intel, and she tells him that his work is done, but he decides to join them as they go in for the attack
The battle is won, and Kraus, along with all his men, are taken into custody
Peter comes home to find all the bags that Mary Jane packed

She tells him she has a few days off to go with him to Kansas to house hunt

Peter instead tells her that she is more important to him, which is why he's decided to go back to school, get his degree, and get the job he wants in New York

In a cliffhanger ending, a group of shadowed men discuss a series of photographs taken of Spider-Man, all by Peter Parker

They state they have his address, and will move in on him

Did you find the hidden spider?

It's to the left of Sandman's pinky finger on his right hand

Felix the Cat is hidden on the back cover of the newspaper which Spider-Man is reading in the offices of Silver Sable

Low Points

None

Oddities

None

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)

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Retro Spins: Warlock - Triumph And Agony

Your name is Doro Pesch. You've clawed your way into the annals of heavy metal, becoming one of the few female vocalists to carve out a niche for yourself amongst the boys. You're respected, you've broken borders, reaching US shores with your music, and you've just played some of the biggest shows of your life at Monsters Of Rock, while also opening for W.A.S.P. and Judas Priest. You are the face of Warlock, one of the greatest heavy metal bands of the 80's. But it's all about to be taken away from you.

In 1986, Doro took her band to the United States, where she immediately fell in love with the country, and the great experiences it brought with it. By 1987, the band fired long time manager, Peter Zimmerman, and instead signed with Alex Grob. This led to the release of their 1987 album, Triumph And Agony. It would be their first to chart in multiple countries, including Germany (23), Switzerland (30), UK (54), and USA (80). It would also become their first, and only album to reach a sales certification of gold (in Germany).

They supported the album by touring with Dio in Europe and opening for Megadeth alongside Sanctuary in the USA. Warlock would also headline several of their own shows. Though this would result in further lineup changes when Michael Eurich and Niko Arvanitis quit after the tour and were replaced by Bobby Rondinelli and Jon Levin. With their departure, Doro would be the only remaining original member, and the only German in the band.

Tommy Bolan would also leave the band, but not of his own volition. Instead, as they were growing more and more in the USA, the label would demand lineup changes, which would see him as the first to be dismissed.

But I am getting a bit too far ahead at this point. Before going any further, let me pop in the album itself, and make my way through it.

The album kicks off with the thunderous drumming anthem, All We Are, and immediately grabs your attention. Unfortunately, it doesn't hold it. At least it didn't hold mine.

By the end of it, I had all but given up, only to be greeted by the final two tracks, Cold, Cold World, and Für Immer ('Forever'). I won't say they salvaged an otherwise lackluster listening session, but at least they were decent tracks to end on.

Overall, Warlock has been pretty hit or miss. While I came out of the gate really impressed with their 1984 debut, Burning The Witches, their 1985 follow-up, Hellbound, pretty much faltered completely. Things turned around with 1986's True As Steel, but then here we are again with another "meh" album in 1987's Triumph And Agony. Though I'll take the pros over the cons, as a whole, the band is deemed relatively inconsistent in my mind. That alone may serve to render them forgettable to me.

While Doro was enjoying her new life in the United States, behind the scenes, Zimmermann was playing a sinister game. He filed suit against Warlock in 1988, winning both their name, and rights to merchandise. In 2011, after 23 years of legal battles, she finally won the rights back to the name of her band.

In the interim of that Doro would pivot releasing albums under her own name. This would begin with 1989's Force Majeure, and continue through her latest, 2023's Conqueress – Forever Strong and Proud.

Since winning her suit, Doro has continued performing under her own name but did reunite with members of Warlock to perform at a festival under the banner, Warlock 1986. In retrospect, it makes me wonder why she would fight so hard for the name of her band back, but then ultimately not use it. Doesn't make sense to me, but I suppose it also doesn't have to.

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Comics Corner: The Spectacular Spider-Man 139

Title: The Spectacular Spider-Man
Issue Number: 139
Release Date: July 1988

Highlights

First appearance of Isadore Kipper
Origin of Tombstone
A gunshot streaks past Spider-Man's head as he's racing to Robbie Robertson's office to meet him after a frantic phone call insisting he come

Spider-Man web's up the shooter, and finds that he was aiming for Robbie, but that the hero got in the way

Spider-Man finds a note to Peter Parker in Robbie's office, but not Robbie

The note points him to a cassette player where Robbie has left a recording for him stating he's an accessory tor murder, and articles with the note about Tombstone

Spider-Man is interrupted by J. Jonah Jameson, and Kate Cushing, who are looking for Robbie

Kate tells Jonah that Robbie has been acting different as of late, and may be in trouble

Tombstone and Arranger are having a conversation with Roland Rayburn, but he's not giving them the information they want to hear, resulting in Tombstone getting physical, dislocating his arm at the order of the Arranger
Kingpin knows about Rayburn's ability to manipulate minds, and how it's made him rich, and wants him to work for him

He tries to use this ability on the Arranger, but Tombstone knocks it out of him

Seeing he's not going to help willingly, the Arranger has Rayburn drugged by a needle

Tombstone receives a call from Robbie Robertson, asking him to meet him
As Spider-Man swings through the rainy night, he continues listening to the tape on the portable recorder, taking him back to Robbie's high school years, and the origin of Tombstone
Lonnie Lincolon, AKA Tombstone, hears that Robbie is writing a story on him for the school paper, specifically how he extorts money from other kids for "protection"
After giving him a thorough beating, Lonnie tells Robbie that he's not going to write that, and that the two should be "friends"

Robbie withdraws the story, but after seeing that things with him and Lonnie are just beginning, he vows to never do so again

Flash forward eight years, and Robbie is the night desk catcher for a paper in Philidelphia

He gets a call from a frantic man who tells him he has information on who killed Ozzy Montana, a local crime boss

Robbie races off to meet him, but instead finds the dead man in the hands of Tombstone

Afraid, Robbie doesn't say a word to anyone, or write any stories

A month later, Robbie and his wife have moved to New York, and he's working for the Bugle, but he keeps following every story on Tombstone closely that others write - Specifically about him being arrested numerous times, but never tried
Reference is made to Web Of Spider-Man 36, and The Spectacular Spider-Man 137
At a bar, Robbie overhears Ben Urich talking about Tombstone, and the speculations of him being the number one hitman in Philadelphia

Robbie snaps, and yells at Ben in front of everyone at the bar, telling him that journalists deal in rumors, and that he should grow up

The tape finishes with Robbie telling Peter that all the deaths by Tombstone are on his hands for doing nothing, and he's going to meet Tombstone because tonight it ends
Spider-Man goes to the Arranger, and demands to know where Tombstone is, he's pointed to Battery Park
Tombstone meets Robbie at the park, and the editor pulls a gun on him saying he's going to arrest him

Tombstone lunges at him, and though Robbie fires repeatedly, he's informed the hitman is wearing a vest

Tombstone tells Robbie he's going to give him one more chance for old time's sake, then squeezes him, breaking his back

Spider-Man hears his howl of pain, but when he arrives, Tombstone is long gone, leaving Robbie lying on the ground

Low Points

None

Oddities

None

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)

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Retro Spins: Warlock - True As Steel

After hearing their debut album, I wanted to share the find with my girl. While she dug the music and agreed the guitar work sounded like Randy Rhodes during his work with Ozzy Osbourne, she did not enjoy the vocals of Doro Pesch at all. So much so, that by song three, she turned it off. Bummer! On the bright side, my co-worker who has been hipping me to some 80's metal stopped by my office as I was literally playing through this album, and said he'd been listening to Warlock all weekend, based on my recommendation, and that he dug it. I'll take that win!

With the loss of Rudy Graf, who left Warlock after the tour for their previous album, I found myself pondering a question. Would the band be as good? Graf was a major contributor to the writing of tracks for their first and second albums, and while the second didn't really resonate as much with me as a whole, the guitar work continued to stand out as superb. In particular, the slick solos.

Niko Arvanitis would be brought in to replace him. However, only contribute to two songs, True As Steel, and Fight For Rock. The latter would also be used as the title for what would become their 1986 EP. This would serve to garner the band attention in the USA, primarily due to their first music video for the song, which aired on MTV's Headbanger's Ball. The EP would feature six tracks in total, three of which would transfer over to their third studio album, True As Steel.

Though not as well received, True As Steel would become their highest peaking album, reaching number eighteen in Germany, but still failing to chart anywhere else in the world. Led by Fight Of Rock, the song, they also began seeing considerable airplay on US radios.

August 16, 1986 (great day!) would make Doro Pesch the first female vocalist to lead a band at Donington's Monsters Of Rock. Warlock would play amongst the likes of Def Leppard, Motörhead, Ozzy Osbourne, and Scorpions. They'd then open the festival in Maimarktgelände Eisstadion in Mannheim, West Germany. This would include many of the previous acts noted, as well as the McAuley Schenker Group and Bon Jovi. They'd spend the rest of 1986, as well as part of 1987, supporting shows for W.A.S.P. and Judas Priest.

The album does fare a bit better than yesterdays. While it has lost that sound reminiscent of Rhodes, it does manage to churn out some solid tunes. Some of which stood out to me; Mr. Gold, Love In The Danger Zone, Lady In A Rock 'N' Roll Hell, Love Song, and the instrumental album closer, T.O.L.

Overall, it's just another solid rock experience from Warlock, and once again keeps me excited to continue on. Sadly, I only have one more.

After touring, Pesch would spend time in the USA with new manager, Alex Grob to promote the band, and arrange further tours. Unfortunately, guitarist Peter Szigeti, and bassist Frank Rittel were unwilling to commitment to the changes that would come about transferring to the United States, prompting them to leave the band. They would be replaced by Tommy Bolan, and Tommy Henriksen.

Things seemed to be going great, with Warlock recording their fourth album, 1987's Triumph and Agony. However, behind the scenes, something devious was taking place. Something which would greatly impact the band, cost them their name, and leave Doro Pesch locked in a legal battle for the rights to her own legacy. That all unfolds tomorrow as I go into Warlock's final album.

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Comics Corner: The Amazing Spider-Man 302

Title: The Amazing Spider-Man
Issue Number: 302
Release Date: July 1988

Highlights

Todd McFarlane begins inking his own pencils, and with no disrespect to Bob McLeod, previous inker of The Amazing Spider-Man, it noticeably makes his artwork look better
First appearance of Wes Cassady, Royce Nero, Ruth Cassady, and Billy Cassady
First appearance of Emporia
Peter is brought to On-Line Research in Emporia, Kansas, where he's been offered a job as chief assistant of their experimental division
Martin Jacoby tells him that he's been recommended for the job by Doctor Curt Connors, and takes Peter on a tour of the building

During the tour, he witnesses a hostile interaction between scientist Royce Nero, and construction boss, Wes Cassady

A torch explodes, causing a fire at the building

Spider-Man springs into action

Not wanting to be seen, Spider-Man assesses the fire from a rooftop, he sees Wes Cassady running through the chaos at super speed, and using his super strength to kick insulation bundles on the fire to put it out

The two see each other and panic that they've been spotted, taking off in opposite directions

In his lab, Royce is working on a mechanical exoskeleton with enough firepower to destroy large rocks
Back in New York, Silver Sable's men return, but only one, who's beaten to a pulp is able to walk

He gives the report that they've found Franz Kraus, but that he's got a bigger organization than originally expected

At the home of Wes Cassady, as he sends his children inside he notices Spider-Man on his roof watching him

Spider-Man asks how he keeps knowing he's there

Wes explains his origin story

He was bit by a scientifically altered jack rabbit, giving him super speed, strength, jumping, and sensing abilities

Except unlike Spider-Man, he just wants a normal life, and hasn't told anyone until now, not even his own family

Back in New York, Silver Sable pays a visit to William Baker, AKA Sylvester Mann, AKA Sandman, and offers him a job
Peter calls Mary Jane and tells her how great the job prospect is, but when they hang up she somberly thinks to herself that she was worried about this
Dawning his power suit, Royce crashes into Jacoby's office, and tells him he's there to take all the plans for the secret projects in his safe
Spider-Man battles Royce, who for the most part is using harmless weaponry, that is until he hits Spider-Man with a sonic blast

Spidey begs Wes to help, but the man is afraid that everyone will think he's a freak, including his family

Spider-Man is able to get close enough to Royce, and deliver a knockout punch to his face
Cassady apologizes, but Spider-Man tells him that everyone has to live with their own decisions
Peter returns to New York, and tells Mary Jane he wants to take the job, but she tells him that her life, career, and friends are in New York, and she doesn't know if she can leave all of that behind for his dream

The response goes unanswered in a cliffhanger ending

Felix the Cat is hidden on the papers that get disheveled

Low Points

None

Oddities

None

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)

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Baltimore Comic Con Part IV: Convention Books, Heroes For Hope, And Purchases

My day at Baltimore Comic Con 2025 wrapped up with me scampering around the showroom floor grabbing signatures from various artists. While I tried to take photos of them all, I did manage to forget a few. You have to understand; these places are a madhouse. You not only have to keep moving to maximize your time but also be considerate about those behind you who are trying to do the same thing. Here are some of the folks I did manage to snap a picture of.

Bart Sears

Cully Hamner

Denys Cowan

Ron Garney

Ron Willson

Todd Dezago

Mike Grell

As with most conventions, Baltimore Comic Con offered a magazine to attendees. The biggest benefit, for me, was the map and directory for where everyone was sitting. That was a life saver many times in helping me zip around the showroom floor from table to table.

Paper Girls cover by
Cliff Chiang

I had to pull out my Heroes For Hope: X-Men book to grab a few more signatures from the convention. One of them was from someone I was supposed to grab two years ago when there but was so tired from walking around that I decided to call it a day. I'm glad I finally checked that name off the list.

Signed by Charles Vess, John Workman,
and Mike Grell at Baltimore Comic Con 2025.

Signed by Jim Shooter at
Big Lick NOVA 2025.

Signed by Art Adams, and Joe Rubinstein
at Awesome Con 2024.

Signed by Al Milgrom, Bob McLeod,
Chris Claremont, Howard Chaykin, Klaus Janson,
Louise Simonson, and Walter Simonson
at Baltimore Comic Con 2023.

Charles Vess

John Workman

Mike Grell was quite happy by the person ahead of me from Texas, who apparently owns his own whisky distillery, and brought the artist a few sample bottles. Grell said that he may need to get into them soon, to which I laughed and said, "He'll be signing books as Mark Graham by the end of the show, and telling people, what do you care what it says, I signed it." Fortunately, the joke landed.

P.S. Mike was the person I missed out on a couple years back.

Mike Grell

Though no new signatures were added, here's the back of the book, signed only by Jim Starlin.

Signed by Jim Starlin,
at Baltimore Comic Con 2023.

One of the things I missed out on at the last Baltimore Comic Con was taking the time to walk the floor and just grab a few signatures here and there from artists who I didn't necessarily have anything else for but were / are big names in the comic world. Admittedly, there were a handful of other signatures I wanted to get but missed out on because either their line was capped until later in the afternoon, they'd taken a break, and would be back later in the afternoon, or were doing a panel, and would be back later in the afternoon. Oh well, I got more than enough to walk away happy.

Signed by Bart Sears, Mike Grell,
Richard Case, and Ron Garney at
Baltimore Comic Con 2025.

Signed by Guy Dorian Sr.
at Big Lick NOVA 2024.

Signed by Art Adams, Jeph Loeb,
Jim Salicrup, and Joe Rubinstein
at Awesome Con 2024.

Signed by Art Suydam, Jim Shooter,
Mark Waid, Michael Golden, Renee Witterstaetter,
Rick Leonardi, and Ron Marz at Big Lick NOVA 2023.

Signed by Al Milgrom, Alex Saviuk, Bob Hall,
Bob McLeod, Bob Wiacek, Brian Michael Bendis,
Chris Claremont, Howard Chaykin, Jim Starlin,
Jon Bogdanove, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, Judy Bogdanove,
Keith Williams, Klaus Janson, Louise Simonson,
and Walter Simonson at Baltimore Comic Con 2023.

Bart Sears is not only a legend in the comic industry, but worked on the art for many toy lines, including, C.O.P.S., G.I. Joe, World Wrestling Federation, and the 90's X-Men Toy Biz line.

Bart Sears

Some of Mike Grell's standout work in the comic industry include Green Lantern, Green Arrow, and The Warlord. Mind you, that's only the tip of the iceberg.

Mike Grell

I'm not going to lie. I was a bit miffed when I told Richard Case that he could sign on the back, and he said, "I think I found a good spot on front," and proceeded to sign over both Brian Michael Bendis and Bob Wiacek's signatures.

Case started in the comic industry working under Walt Simonson before becoming the main penciler for Doom Patrol and even worked on the iconic Neil Gaiman Sandman series.

Richard Case

While at his table, Ron Garney regaled us with the story of the time he met William Shatner. Apparently, Captain Kirk was quite a jerk to him and basically told him to pound sand. The two were guests at the same show, and one of the staff brought Garney to the same room Shatner was in. When Garney told him that he too was a guest for the show, Shatner was taken aback. Things only got worse when the artist dared to sit on the same couch as the thespian, who voiced that he was note pleased about it. When Garney tried to apologize to him later when he saw him again at the hotel, he was basically blown off. Wow...I would have told Kirk where he could go ahead and beam himself to.

The Amazing Spider-Man, Captain America, X-Men, Daredevil, Silver Surfer, Hulk, Garney worked on them all, and then some.

Ron Garney

Back side

Signed by Billy Tucci, Charles Vess,
Cully Hamner, Denys Cowan,
John Workman, Josh Baylock,
Marc Hemper, Ron Wilson, and
Todd Dezago at Baltimore Comic Con 2025.

Signed by Christopher Priest,
Guy Dorian Jr., and John Beatty
at Big Lick NOVA 2024.

Signed by Mark Bagley
at Awesome Con 2024.

Signed by Howard Mackie, Jae Lee,
Pop Mhan, and Terry Kavanagh
at Baltimore Comic Con 2023.

Unless you read Shi in Top Cow Comics, Billy Tucci probably isn't a name you're too familiar with. He was definitely big in the indie circle of the 90's, helped all the more by frequent shout outs in Wizard Magazine.

Billy Tucci

Charles Vess has delivered a treasure trove of fantasy artwork and even worked with the likes of Neil Gaiman. However, for me, his work will always stand out for those wonderful covers he did sporadically for various Spider-Man titles back in the 80's.

Charles Vess

Cully Hamner is best known for his work on Green Lantern, and Blue Beetle. Truthfully, I only snagged a signature from him because there was nobody at his table, and he only wanted a couple bucks in donations for signing books.

Cully Hamner

Denys Cowan was kind of rude to me when I stepped up to get his signature. When he saw that Jim Shooter had signed the book, I told him how Jim was great and literally signed hundreds of books for me one year. He looked me dead in the face, and said, "I wouldn't sign that many for you." Okay...I didn't ask you to. Be happy I'm paying you to sign one of my books.

Though his name has floated around the industry for a long time, Cowan's most popular contribution was the character Static, a comic which many fans look for. Personally, I've never read it. Based on my interaction with him, I never will.

Denys Cowan

John Workman is credited with many lettering contributions to some of the best comics of the 80's. He's worked with all the greats in the process. Without his words, you'd only have pictures.

John Workman

Josh Baylock was the lead artist on G.I. Joe when it was relaunched by Image Comics / Devil's Dues back in 2001.

He was selling commissions for only $50.00, but when I asked if he'd do a Peter Parker for my "Decisions" series, he said it would be too much work for him to do at the show. I get it, so no harm done.

Josh Baylock

Beyond his work with Neil Gaiman on Sandman, I don't know much about Marc Hempel. Unfortunate, since he's worked for just about all of the companies out there; DC, Marvel, First Publishing, Mad Magazine, Malibu, and more.

Marc Hemper

Ron Wilson worked pretty steadily for Marvel Comics from the early 70's through the 90's, though his contributions to Spider-Man were limited to just two issues. I suppose in hindsight I could have brought those books along for his signature.

Ron Wilson

Todd Dezago worked mainly on The Sensational Spider-Man, but contributed to more Marvel books in the 90's. Honestly, it was his affiliation with my favorite wall crawler that got me to walk up to his table.

Todd Dezago

Another thing I often miss out on at the shows is actually having the time to walk around and buy stuff. I suppose this could be a good thing, because when I do actually stop to smell the roses, I make bad decisions, such as this.

Did I need an Amazing Spider-Man 121, the death of Gwen Stacy, signed by Stan Lee? No. Did I need to spend the money on it? Absolutely not. Am I glad I have it? Ecstatic!

We'd gotten there just before 8:00 AM, and I was on my feet the entire time until 2:30 PM. I was hurting, tired, hungry, thirsty, and really didn't need to spend any more time walking around. I honestly didn't want to walk around anymore, take photos myself, or necessarily look for things to buy that I didn't need - Especially since I'd already checked that box pretty hard.

Overall, another great convention, a good time, and I'm happy to have had the opportunity to go, and add more great signatures to my comic collection.

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