#36 SAVAGE DRAGON/HELLBOY & GORILLA HITLER?!

Savage Dragon/Hellboy Crossover: Attack of Gorilla Hitler

Written & Art by Erik Larsen 


Savage Dragon created by Erik Larsen


Hellboy created by Mike Mignola


Review by Hector Ramirez


Hey Clashers, Hector here, reviewing a crossover from the 90’s that probably should have stayed there. I’m talking about the 2 part Savage Dragon/Hellboy crossover from Dark Horse and Image. This is going to be a bumpy ride folks so strap in and hold on tight.

Our story starts in 1945 Romania where Hellboy is fighting what appears to be a big Nazi robot, but then he knocks the head piece off to reveal Adolf Hitler who had been believed to have committed suicide years before. Amidst the battle Red hit’s the robot suit in its chest causing it to explode with Hitler inside leaving nothing but his head. A masked Nazi takes the head in hopes of salvaging Hitler’s brain. Fast forward to the 90’s where a pissed off gorilla, with a brain in a bowl on his head, named BrainApe, is chained up being told if he wished to be free he would have to serve the new leader of the sinister circle. BrainApe is sent to kill Savage Dragon and grudgingly agrees. BrainApe finds Dragon at a train yard helping Hellboy in a fight. Upon seeing Red, memories of….wait for it…..Hitler’s life come rushing back to BrainApe and his hatred for our demon friend puts him in a frenzy. He uses his telekinetic powers(yes Hitler Gorilla is telekinetic) to turn Dragon and Hellboy against each other hoping they will kill each other getting his revenge and completing his task in one shot. Dragon overpowers Red easily and takes the fight out of BrainApe’s telekinetic range giving him the chance to fight the gorillas hold. Dragon then knocked Hitler’s brain off of the gorilla but the brain…..I cant believe I’m about to type these words….the brain grew legs and started to run away. Dragon throws a knife at it killing Hitler’s brain for good.

So yeah. Hitler’s brain on an ape. um….WTF!?!?!?! What in God’s name was the writer thinking?! That being said, it wasn’t that bad of a story. It wasn’t overbearing or forced, like some crossovers are it just kind of worked. The art was pretty good; I had no complaints. I’ve come to expect that with my experience with Image comics. So all in all, the story telling was good, art was good. It is just elements were just out of  left field insane. That being said, I give this crossover a Red Robin. Until next time friends, keep clashing.

#19 -Batman vs. Predator 2: A Rogue’s Revenge

A year after the first Predator landed in Gotham another of the race decides he needs to prove himself by going after Batman himself. As if things weren’t bad enough after busting up one of their drug rings the mob has put a price on Batman’s head catching the attention of seven of the world’s best assassins. So with an alien hunter and seven cold blooded killers after him Batman can use all the help he can get enter the Huntress, out to stop the mob for her own reasons; and two other Predators out to bring the first one to justice for his rogue actions.
Well readers I promised you this and here it is. I enjoyed it more than the first more elements and a less predictable story. I like how they show the Huntress in her civilian identity and shine a light on why she does what it is that she does. Batman was really given a run for his money with this one the alien was a lot more cunning and ruthless than the first and this time around he didn’t have his special armor so he relied a lot more on his own cunning as well as help from his companions. This adventure brings Batman and Huntress closer and shows just how badass they both are. I mean stories like this are the reason I read comics and my love for comics has brought me here to share my thoughts with you fine people so as usual this has been Hector Ramirez and until next time friends keep clashing.

#16 BATMAN VS. PREDATOR: BATTLEFIELD GOTHAM

Welcome to another edition of Comic Book Clash, where comic books clash for supremacy. Here's a piece on an old crossover.


Batman vs. Predator
Issues #1 -3
Written by Dave Gibbons; Art by Andy & Adam Kubert
Dark Horse/DC Comics 

          After the biggest boxing match of the year the winner is found brutally killed in his home, the first in a series of savage murders in Gotham City. The murderer somehow makes himself invisible and uses alien methods and technology Enter Batman who finds out that the killer is actually an alien hunter tracking down what he believes to be dominant figures in society. So can the world’s greatest detective take on a creature not of this world, can the Dark Knight beat the Predator?
Well first off I’m a sucker for crossovers, especially between comic companies, so I had to pick this story up. It was definitely a cliffhanger; it was like watching a Predator movie with Batman in it adding a new element to it. I for one liked the story it wasn’t cheesy and forced like some crossovers I’ve read there was plenty of action and suspense and no lame message behind it. If you like crossovers, alien killers and kick ass guys in capes then I suggest you get these books and the sequel where Batman is joined by Huntress review for that coming soon. This has been Hector Ramirez, until next time, keep clashing.


Plus: A special Video to go with this weeks review:

See you next week.