The Toy Box

Comics Corner: The Spectacular Spider-Man 142

Title: The Spectacular Spider-Man
Issue Number: 142
Release Date: September 1988

Highlights

First appearance of Lansing, Michigan, and Baxter High School, as well as Tara Square in Atlanta, Georgia
Tombstone has hurt Mary Jane, breaking her wrist, and that doesn't sit will with Peter Parker at all
Tombstone calls Peter at the emergency room, and tells him to meet him in Atlanta, where he knows Peter needs to be for his next book signing

Before leaving Spider-Man attempts to contact the Punisher, but can't reach him

This is because the Punisher is being held by the Arranger, and tortured by Persuader, who is trying to break his mind

He does, and the Punisher is now under his control

While attempting to walk, Robbie is taunted by a hallucination of Tombstone, which only serves to make him both mentally and physically stronger

As he claws his way across the hand beams, taking step after step, he finally collapses, telling his son to call J. Jonah Jameson and inform him that he has a front page story for the Bugle

In Lansing, Michigan, the clone of Gwen Stacy walks from the Baxter High School building, where she now works

She's attacked by the High Evolutionary's men

As she runs away, she remembers Peter Parker, and is determined to find him to help her

Back in Atlanta, Spider-Man is at the rendezvous location, and Tombstone surprise attacks him
Meanwhile, Robbie meets with Jameson, and begins telling his story, and history with Tombstone
Spider-Man lets Tombstone get his licks in, but then brushes them off, and explaining that Tombstone, despite his appearance is just a man, and he, Spider-Man has the proportionate strength of a spider, before walloping the villain

Before lights out, he asks Tombstone why he never killed Robbie, to which he responds, "He's my friend"

Deep down, in his own twisted way, Tombstone really thinks Robbie Robertson is his only friend

Robbie finishes telling his story, and says that he's prepared to resign, since his legal situation is about to get rough as an accessory to Tombstone's murders

Jameson refuses his resignation, and tells him to be in the office on Monday by 9:00 AM, or he's docking his pay

The Arrangers watches on television the reports of Tombstone being arrested

Though he finds it disappointing, he's at least happy to have the Punisher under his control, and ready for his first assignment

Low Points

None

Oddities

None

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

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Retro Spins: Hanoi Rocks - Two Steps From The Move

Wanting better production, and a larger budget for recording, Hanoi Rocks made the move to CBS Records in 1983. The band would invite Ian Hunter of Mott The Hoople to help write tracks, who in turn brought with him Jack Bruce (formerly of Cream), who brought with him bandmate Pete Brown. Despite all the talent contributing, by April of 1984, the label felt it was still missing a single. For this, the guys turned to a cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival's Up Around The Bend.

After wrapping up recording, Hanoi headed to Japan, where they discovered their massive popularity. Not only were all shows sold out, but the band couldn't even walk around the city without being followed by crowds of fans. A tour across England and Scotland followed, with British magazines not only raving about their shows, but stating that their next album would most certainly be their breakthrough.

With a last-minute title change from Silver Missiles And Nightingales, Two Steps From The Move was released, and did indeed become their most popular release to date. This led to another massive tour, this time of Sweden, and then to the USA. Unfortunately, this is where things would come to a head for Hanoi Rocks.

But first, let's play through the album.

It's a solid entry, and I can definitely see the breakthrough material here. Ironically, the single the label wasn't hearing at first, but got with Up Around The Bend, is probably the weakest track on the whole thing.

Better tracks, or as I like to call them, standouts, were I Can't Get It, Underwater World, Million Miles Away, Boulevard Of Broken Dreams, Cutting Corners, and Don't You Ever Leave Me. The latter is actually a remake from their debut album, and this slowed down version is far superior to the edgier first take.

It's unfortunate that Two Steps From The Move serves as their last album. I definitely would have liked to hear more.

While performing at USA Sam's in Syracuse, New York, lead singer, Michael Monroe would unknowingly fracture his ankle. Though he continued on with the tour, the pain got more and more, and upon getting checked out was informed of the injury. This would effectively take him out of the equation of events which were unknowingly unfolding.

Mötley Crüe was throwing a massive party at the home of Vince Neil in Redondo Beach, California. In attendance were Hanoi's lead guitarist, Andy McCoy, guitarist Nasty Suicide, bassist Sam Yaffa, and drummer Razzle. With everyone drinking heavily, guests soon found the place dry. Not content to call it a night, Vince Neil would make the decision to hop into his Pantera for a beer run. With him was Razzle. Though they made it to their location, when heading home, an inebriated Neil crashed his car into another. Razzle was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Both occupants of the other car, Lisa Hogan, and Daniel Smithers would be severely injured, suffering permanent brain damage.

When they didn't return, McCoy and Crüe drummer, Tommy Lee went looking for them. They drove past the scene just as Neil was being put in cuffs, and at that time learned of Razzle's passing. All but a handful of shows would be cancelled in the wake, with the remaining becoming dedications to Razzle. After the shows, Yaffa would be the first to leave the band, citing problems with McCoy.

Initially, they intended to go on, bringing in René Berg to replace him, while also incorporating Terry Chimes on drums, who filled in for the memorial shows. Shortly thereafter, Monroe also wanted to quit the band, though he would be convinced by CBS to stay on, and instead head out for a short tour in Poland. In doing so, he made one request - No live album. while they agreed, CBS did the opposite and released Rock & Roll Divorce in 1985. It would be panned by the band, their management, fans, and critics.

Berg would start making claims that Hanoi Rocks was his band, leading to his prompt dismissal, and replacement by Timo Kaltio. However, the lineup of Monroe, McCoy, Nasty Suicide, Kaltio, and Chimes would never perform together. Michael would end up leaving in June 1985. McCoy wasn't upset by this decision, instead saying that the spirit of the band evaporated with the death of Razzle, and Yaffa's departure.

Michael would go solo, releasing his first album, Nights Are So Long in 1987. To date, he's released thirteen. Andy, on the other hand, created several new bands, none of which took off. When not performing, he spent his time creating art as a painter. Nasty Suicide returned to his life as Jan-Markus Stenfors in Finland, where he finished high school, educated himself as a pharmacist, and works for a reputable drug company. Sam also continued his work in the music industry, performing with such notable acts as Joan Jett, New York Dolls, and Johnny Thunders.

McCoy and Monroe would reunite in 2001 and discuss reforming Hanoi Rocks. While this would happen, they would be the only two members to return for this "rebirth" (as they called it). Stenfors was content with his life as a pharmacist, and Yaffa was working in a new band, Mad Juana. Though they did offer original drummer, Gyp Casino a spot in the lineup, he declined, stating he was no longer interested in the music business.

Initially, this new iteration consisted of McCoy, Monroe, Costello Hautamäki, Timpa Laine, and Kari "Lacu" Lahtinen, and together they'd release 2002's Twelve Shots On The Rocks. Hautamäki would leave in 2003 to focus primarily on the band, Popeda. Timpa would also end up leaving in 2004 because of family issues. Both were replaced by Conny Bloom, and Andy Christell, respectively. This lineup would record the final two Hanoi albums, Another Hostile Takeover (2005), and Street Poetry (2007).

Lacu would announce he was leaving in 2008 to also join Popeda. While he would be replaced by George Atlagic, by this point, both Monroe and McCoy felt the rekindled Hanoi Rocks had run its course. They performed a farewell tour with six shows in Japan in 2009, and eight in Finland before disbanding on amicable terms. Nasty Suicide would join them for three shows in Finland.

As noted above, Monroe continued focus on his solo career. However, the story of Hanoi Rocks doesn't end there. Michael Monroe, Andy McCoy, Nasty Suicide, Sami Yaffa and Gyp Casino reunited in celebration of Monroe's 60th birthday, at the Helsinki Ice Hall in 2022 for a one-off show. With Monroe still very active, it's possible that won't be the last we ever hear from them.

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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 Spectacular Spider-Man 141

Title: The Spectacular Spider-Man
Issue Number: 141
Release Date: August 1988

Highlights

Fist appearance and death of Harold Ullman
First appearance of the henchman, Willis
After coming face to face with the Punisher in the previous issue, both he and Spider-Man are headed to the vigilante's boat for a meeting
Punisher tells Spider-Man he wants the tape Robbie Robertson made for Peter Parker, and also information on where Tombstone is

He's closer than he thinks, he's followed the Punisher's van with a bunch of armed henchmen, who he order's to attack at dawn

Punisher tells Spider-Man that Tombstone killed a friend of his, Harold Ullman, and he intends to get justice for him, well, Punisher's definition of justice
Tombstone overhears the conversation between the two, and learns about the tape from Robbie Robertson to Peter Parker
Ben Urich goes to the hospital to see Robbie, and is greeted by his son, Randy, who tells him that Robbie will be able to walk again with physical therapy
Ben tells Robbie he knows about the tape, and speculates it's about Tombstone, he then tells Robbie he knows where to find him if he wants to talk
Two of Tombstone's men try to sneak up on Frank Castle, and one gets an eyeful of hot grease from the bacon he just cooked

The other gets the butt of a gun to the head

The one burned by grease exchanges information that there's two more on the deck above in exchange for medical aid

They get greeted by a hail of gunfire that shreds through them

The burned man then tells that they were supposed to get him to follow them to the Cloisters

After playing Mary Jane the tape from Robbie, he asks her what he should do; Give the tape to Ben Urich, hand it over to the Punisher, or burn it, like Robbie requested

Mary Jane tells him she won't make that decision for him, leaving Peter to deduce that it's Robbie's tape, and he alone has to decide what to do

When he leaves, Mary Jane thinks to herself how fearful she is for him living the life of Spider-Man

As Peter leaves, Tombstone enters the building, and find's Parker's name on the mailbox, along with the apartment number

Meanwhile, the Punisher infiltrates the Cloisters

While he takes out two guards immediately, he's jumped by four more

It doesn't go well for them

Back at the apartment, Tombstone grabs Mary Jane from behind by her hair, demanding to know where Peter is
Punisher sneaks up on Tombstone's car, and as he opens the door is greeted by the Arranger, and Roland Rayburn, AKA Persuader