LARRY JOHNSON'S THE COMPLETE LEW BROWN, VOL 3

By gosh! Artist/writer Larry Johnson has outdone himself  again with The Complete Lew Brown, Vol 3: an outstanding compilation featuring his humble but resolute, Tales of Fantasy alter ego. This curation may be my favorite in the trio, and that's saying a ton, considering how much I admire the earlier editions. (See May & July posts for the proof in the pudding.) 

For this (215-pg, black-and-white) edition, Johnson tosses Brown into specific, science-fiction scenarios, including a jaunt where the investigative reporter and his scientist friend, Gabrielle LeGrande, face a Clonus Horror factory run by the diabolical Dr. Derma (who's a clever merging of Shazam!'s Dr. Sivana and Albert Dekker's Dr. Cyclops); a chance encounter with LeGrande's Uncle Joseph, a man who's battled monstrous rodents (with special appearances by the mischievous Madame Boogala and the shrewd Dr. Charles Young, no less); a heartfelt remembrance by Brown and his neighbor, Joe Carbone, regarding a beloved space show and the toys it inspired; Brown re-imagined as super-scientist Lou Braun, on a mission to purge a bioengineered chemical that morphs people into cockroaches; an attack by Tibero, an alien tree-creature (formed in the From Hell It Came vein); Brown and his brother Freddy's far-out, family entanglement with Venusians; the discovery of a This Island Earth-type, camera-obscura tele-screen; and Brown's hearty brush with a tempting, dimensional vixen. 

There are also two literary offerings in this volume: "A Passage In the Darkness," written by Michael Tuz, which is an effective, "House of Usher"-esque piece that unveils a Bostonian cult's subterranean realm, and "The Under People," a quirky fable that places our protagonist among mysterious, maintenance workers. 

The tales invoke The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, Tales of Tomorrow and that ol' George McFly favorite, Science Fiction Theatre, with a smidgeon of Star Trek, if only to inject some cosmic kick.   

Of course, what makes the tales captivating are Brown's credible reactions to his incredible circumstances, which are sometimes amusing and sometimes disconcerting, but no matter the expression, the results are appealing, thanks to Johnson's swift pacing, vibrant artwork and stimulating imagination.

All three Lew Brown volumes are available on Amazon, so why not take the inquisitive leap by tapping the links below?

Vol 3: 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H6NL454N?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

Vol 2:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H4NW6435?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

Vol 1: 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GXTLP6HM?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title   

LARRY JOHNSON'S DREAM DIARY #4: RE-ENGAGE THE SURREAL

Larry Johnson's Dream Diary #4 returns readers to sectors that are at once bizarre, absurd and beautiful, each and every one plucked from the artist's intimate reveries. 

For this volume, the chapters include Johnson facing a tiny, attack dog, which he averts via amazing ascension; another tale of ascension in which he becomes an underdressed Pied Piper; a "restaurant" where chess rules and dancing is the main course; the startling discovery of a naked arsonist; the frustration spurred by an incoherent, art teacher; a search for a comic shop, distinguished by a friendly couple and the inexplicable water that surrounds them; a downpour that prompts the purchase of a Batman comic; the preparation of a rocket launch and its madcap consequences; a cordial encounter with a youthful clone; an art exhibit where the guests head into a perplexing tunnel; a rattling, home invasion; and last but not least, a bike ride emboldened by equanimity.

Johnson's abstract documentations are great fun, for he allows one to see through his eyes and experience his jaunts as if they're one's own: indeed, a most welcoming gesture.  

To enjoy the gamut of Dream Diary #4, send $10 per Paypal to LewBrown@verizon.net, or to Venmo @Lawrence-Johnson-232, and in little time at all, Johnson's captivating compilation will arrive at your door.

LARRY JOHNSON'S 1960S COMICS: AN APPRECIATION (VOLUME ONE)

Writer/artist Larry (Horseman) Johnson's 1960s Comics: An Appreciation presents not only a rundown of the period, but a sincere reflection of some of its best, offbeat characters, a number of whom have (alas) long fallen to the wayside.  

In his not-just-DC/Marvel queue, Johnson essays what each title entails and who created and drew their virtuous leads. Johnson also lists precise, publication dates, accompanied by helpful, black-and-white, cover and panel reproductions.  

The central characters include Fatman the Flying Saucer, Herbie, Anthro, the Fly, Kona, Mark Merlin, Magicman, the Owl, Pirana, Space Ranger, Peter Cannon (Thunderbolt), Robby Reed (of Dial H for Hero), Mighty Samson and Charlton's Hercules. 

There's a chapter on Steve Ditko and Joe Gill's fond extension of Eugene Laurie's Gorgo and a look at the fanciful, Disney spinoff, Gold Key's Mickey Mouse, Super Secret Agent, where Goofy plays an investigative sidekick.   

Johnson caters, as well, to the decade's anthologies, such as Fantasy Masterpieces, Unknown Worlds and Gasp!. Then there's Go-Go, which not only incorporates illustrated, rock 'n' roll parodies, but photos of the era's top pop stars, including the Beatles, the Mammas and the Papas, The Loving Spoonful, The Beach Boys and even Man from U.N.C.L.E.'s David McCallum.

I've read other genre histories, those spotlighting characters like the Shadow, Superman and Spider-man, but most are little more than bland, skim-the-surface assessments by "know-it-alls" who only possess a bare-bones familiarity of their subjects. 

1960s Comics: An Appreciation is much more than those routine recapitulations. It's a volume that fans (the sincere, impassioned ones) will appreciate, and after its contents are consumed, celebrate. I thank Johnson for his attentive effort, for he's created a template that shows how an historical overview should be rendered. 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CSDF3T6Q?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

LARRY JOHNSON'S IN HIS OWN WORLD

Artist/writer Larry Johnson's In His Own World may be his most buoyant and unusual submission, where he places himself among his endearing comic-book characters. (For the record, this ten-part, 48-page sojourn was published about twenty years ago in Tim Corrigan's All Comics APA, and now the chapters have resurfaced in a stylish, trade paperback.)

The winsome plot taps Richard Matheson's Twilight Zone fable, "A World of His Own" (though perhaps as filtered through the colorful palette of Hanna-Barbera), allowing Johnson to meet Lew Brown (for all intent, Johnson's comic-strip alter ego), who wishes to conduct an interview with his creator. Madame Boogala and her son, Goomar, soon appear, along with Dr. Young, Morpho, Zooy, Rubberonliea (aka Rhonda Cry), Chano, Cloud, Fog, Zero Man, Astro Lady, the Slithering Snake, Bad Guy, Clickwa, Reform and others. 

The flow of manifestations works due to Johnson's inimitable, surreal style, with one character (and related scenario) springing from the other, prompting an unrepressed stream that matches his Dream Diary offerings, though with its culminating phases reminiscent of Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers. (There's a swell, Earth vs the Flying Saucers component woven in, too.)

Johnson's concept reminds us that what we envision constitutes who we are. Such are our special, cerebral imprints and should always be referenced and studied, if only to confirm where we've started, where we are at present and where we're likely to go.  

Order In His Own World at 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F7FKPYP2?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

LARRY JOHNSON'S THE COMPLETE MADAME BOOGALA, VOL 2

Earlier this month, I reviewed artist/author Larry Johnson's The Complete Madame Boogala, Vol 1, a black-and-white compilation of introductory issues. Now, I offer a rundown of Vol 2, which, if the truth be told, is as enjoyable as the first. 

Madame Boogala is a captivating character, a Brookston, tea-room proprietor in league with the Magic People, who takes the conniving reins in each yarn, much in the way of Fu Manchu, but in another way, she's rather like Carl Kolchak in reverse. In other words, she doesn't seek out strange affairs, as much as she prompts them, sometimes with frightful outcomes and at other times, offbeat hilarity. 

The 205-page, Vol 2 spans Johnson's installments from 2001 - 2004, covering such unearthly topics as a shape-shifting, wrestling match; odd, astral love; a necromantic television and the flamboyant guest it summons; a vicious, talking horseman; a man whose body parts reside in a jar; a wandering, Triffid/Audrey Jr.-like plant; otherworldly, curio-shop statues; chilling, demonic manifestations; and as extra-special treats, "The Black Widow" and "Escape Too," Johnson's mesmerizing works of illustrated, Boogala fiction, supplemented by the artist/author's thorough introduction. The culminating brew is wild and fun, especially when Boogala's bumbling son, Goomar, or the inquisitive Lew Brown get involved. 

Madame Boogala is an indisputable original, thanks to Johnson's clever know-how. Delve in, and you'll see why the madame is the talk of the metaphysical town.  

Vol 2 can be purchased at 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C87QH3GQ?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title