LARRY JOHNSON'S TALES OF THE BROKEN B #8: AIRSHIP VENGEANCE

  

Artist/writer Larry Johnson's Tales of the Broken B #8 is another imaginative winner, thanks to its high-flying, 36-page adventure, "The Airship." 

The entry depicts the time when good ol' Clyde Brittle, Ernie Malone, Sam Gladstone and medicine man Tadawa encounter an awe-inspiring aircraft. Though it appears to be celestial at first, it is, in fact, an experimental, military vessel called the Avenger. 

There's a catch to it, though. Its commander, Rexford Rothar, harbors an Ahab complex, and as such, wishes to use the ship as a means of vengeance on Tadawa's people. Clyde attempts to stop him but gets captured. What then ensues brims of full-fledged, unbridled suspense. 

Johnson's spirited installment reminds me of one of my favorite, Wild Wild West episodes, "The Night of the Flying Pie Plate," which deals with an insinuated U.F.O, but "The Airship" is much more "grounded," flowing like a chapter play, as filtered through Jules Verne. 

In a large and effective way, the story's strength comes from its antagonist. Rothar is a stubborn, hellbent son of a gun, but his angst (as conveyed by the commander's son in a poignant exchange with Clyde) bursts of contemptuous pathos. 

Johnson's artwork is amazing, too, perhaps his most vivid to date. He also enhances his fable with a fascinating article on Soloman Andrews, a Civil War, dirigible ("Aereon") designer, which gives "The Airship" an earnest, historical context. 

This is a terrific exploit (one definitely worth owning). Why not add it to your collection? It's easy enough to do. Just submit the Paypal sum of $8.00 to Mr. Johnson at Lewbrown1@verizon.net, and your issue will be promptly sent.  

LARRY JOHNSON'S TALES OF THE BROKEN B #7: A MATERNAL MEETING

Artist/writer Larry Johnson continues one of his finest sagas in Tales of the Broken B #7. 

For this chapter, the focus falls on Ernie Malone, who tells his partner, Clyde Brittle, that his hellraising father has passed away, and how he must now visit his Aunt May, the woman who raised him, to learn the truth about his dad and the mother he never knew. 

What's revealed leads Ernie to an Indian woman, who contrary to Ernie's experience, found his father kind and protective. More importantly, her identity demonstrates how misconceptions can often cause unjust isolation and how opening one's mind and one's heart are the best means to curb one's pain. 

Though prior Tales of the Broken B have held a mystical slant, Issue #7 is anchored in reality. Its story (aptly titled "Mother") plays like a sentimental episode of Gunsmoke or Bonanza. In other words, it's a credible, character study that flaunts Johnson's ability to spotlight the human spirit. 

Give Tales of Broken B #7 a try. Its content is guaranteed to grip and move you. 

To obtain a copy, please submit the Paypal sum of $7.00 to Mr. Johnson at Lewbrown1@verizon.net. 

LARRY JOHNSON'S TALES OF THE BROKEN B #6: ENTER THE GYPSIES!

Writer/illustrator Larry (Horseman) Johnson's all-color Tales of the Broken B #6 hits the scene, and the otherworldly intrigue is at an all-time high for our amiable, investigative protagonists, Clyde Brittle and Ernie Malone, as well as big-hearted foreman, Sam Gladstone.

In "The Gypsies," the Broken B receives a visit from Vorko and his auspicious band, in hopes of securing a business deal, but the nomads hold a secret, which lies with a medicinal lady named Mariska and her beautiful granddaughter, Delilah, whose husband was recently murdered.   

At its start, the tale captures the essence of an episode of The Waltons that I fancy, which sports the same name as Johnson's yarn, but in the case of Tales of Broken B, the gypsies are motivated by vengeance, relegating the story to the sort of rough-and-tumble yarns one might find on Bonanza, The Rifleman and Gunsmoke, though with a ghostly twist that matches the culminating impact of The Man-Thing's "Night of the Laughing Dead." To say the least, this one pulled me in and wouldn't let go. In fact, its plaintive aura still surrounds me. 

Trust me, folks, this is one to possess!

To order Tales of the Broken B #6, send $6.50 (PPD) via PayPal to LewBrown1@verizon.net. You'll be more than pleased that you did! 

LARRY JOHNSON'S TALES OF THE BROKEN B

Publisher Jim Main suggested that I investigate writer/artist Larry Johnson's Tales of the Broken B, and I'm so glad I did. Reading Broken B is nothing short of The Twilight Zone meets The Wild Wild West (two of my favorite franchises). 

Johnson's concept is equally reminiscent of Dark Shadows, with the Broken B Ranch standing as an alternative Collingwood, attracting any number of unexpected and otherworldly occurrences. Its leads, Clyde Brittle and Ernie Malone (along with a queue of quirky acquaintances), interact with these peculiarities, performing much like cowboy surrogates to Dana Scully and Fox Mulder.

So far, Johnson's full-color saga consists of four issues. They detail such topics as vengeance from beyond the grave (done in the style of Edward Dein's Curse of the Undead); feathered serpents (in a nod to The Flying Serpent and Q, the Winged Serpent, with a smidgeon of Gorgo); a rampaging robot (flaunting traces of Gene Autry's The Phantom Empire, abetted by an Albert Dekker-ish, mad scientist); and a ravenous dinosaur (in the towering tradition of The Beast of Hollow Mountain and Valley of Gwangi). These beautifully drawn tales are not only tall in scope, but fun and friendly, though never shy about layering on significant suspense.

As worthy bonuses, the issues include insightful, fan-mail observations and a fascinating section called "Every Saturday," which highlights veritable, Old West accounts that prove fact is often stranger than fiction. 

I can't recommend Tales of the Broken B enough. That means you'd be wise to plunge into its offbeat landscape. Each issue costs $6. To verify availability, email Larry Johnson at LewBrown1@verizon.net.