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

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.