Kind of interesting that two of the Nacelleverse’s recent acquisitions are currently next to each other in my old pack-in minicomic list. It’s also the only other one currently on the list. Last time we checked in with the classic Robo Force, and now it’s back to Symbion…one of the continuities that shouldn’t fit into a shared universe because it takes place on Symbion, a planet where technology has been lost and thanks to a plague accidentally created in a lab (sound familiar?) the planet all mutated into bug people with telepathic giant bug friends. The question of how they got to Detroit can, as of this writing, only be told in a joke at Detroit’s expense.
Nacelle put out their Sectaur toys last year while I wasn’t paying attention. However, we’re going back to 1985 (cue Bowling For Soup song) and the original Coleco toyline. They actually had minicomics, which we’ve look at before thanks to the website Sectaurs.com. (Please don’t hit them, Nacelle. I have reviews to write and this isn’t a toyline for me to collect even if I had money. Plus these are old, out of print minicomics and shouldn’t affect you.) It’s the fifth comic in the group, focusing on the Dark Domain’s elite warrior Waspax and his loyal companion Wingid. Wingid is not one of the rideable puppet bug but a smaller giant insect, like his own puppy pal if the puppy were a giant insect. Most dogs aren’t.
Sectaurs comic E (as listed)
Featuring: Commander Waspax & Wingid
Coleco (1985)
It’s too bad there are no credits in these comics. The art is pretty good for not using DC, Marvel, or Dark Horse. Unfortunately I’m not working with the highest quality scans. Just to read them I had to open them in a new tab and zoom in. You can try to read along but that’s what I’m working with when it comes to the images.
It’s another dreary day in the Dark Domain. The sun is less existent than a modern Hollywood movie, the birds are probably all dead, and Waspax, commander of the Empress’ evil forces, is being attacked by a group of assassins. Just another day for him. He manages to fight them off for a bit and then calls in his bond mate Wingid, surprising one dude was looking for an opening to attack Waspax from behind. I’m not sure why considering the third thing we see them say is “kill him before he calls his beast in”. You shouldn’t be surprised when a beast shows up. Also I’m pretty sure Waspax killed one of these guys.
Don’t worry, kids. It’s just a tiny slash across his chest and vital organs. I’m sure he’ll be fine.
The assassins were sent by Skulk, who of course denies it. “Why would I want to attack you and possibly move up a rank in my stepmother’s army when I don’t have the guts to actually do anything myself?” Skulk’s beheading is delayed as Spydrax sends Waspax to investigate reports of a spy near the boarder between the Dark Domain and the Shining Realm. Learning nothing, Skulk goes looking for the spy first and spots Dargon in the area. He goes to tell Waspax how to find the spy but forgets to mention it’s the leader and ace swordsman of the good guys. My guess is he’s hoping one will finish off the other. Either way, it’s one less enemy for him.
Dargon is not the spy, though. He’s here to rescue the aged Delphys. He doesn’t appear to be one of the figures, but an original character and old friend of Mantor’s who has been spying for the Shining Realm for years. Now he’s old and weak, so it’s time to retire and Dargon has come to take him home. Unfortunately, Waspax is the lead of this comic so he has to show up to stop them. Waspy is a bit surprised to see Dargon there, expecting a weak old man. That beheading is looking more likely now. Not that Waspax minds too much since he loves him a good fight. Dargon’s “skallsword” isn’t enough to handle Waspax and his troops so he breaks out the “vengun”, which shoots venom darts (just sleep darts, kids, we wouldn’t see someone die in this comic…is what we’ll tell your parents), but Waspax deflects them like a Jedi Knight Sith Lord and the skallsword battle is joined. We’re on a planet of bug people. Can’t forget that.
Waspax isn’t above cheating and calls for Wingid to attack him while Dragonflyer, Dargon’s rideable puppet beast, is protecting Delphys. Then Delphys puts some kind of whammy on Waspax that puts him to sleep. Dargon refers to it as forbidden magic because he asks Delphys if he’s a heretic and an “accursed keeper”, but he swears it’s totally science, dude, but we should go and you can ask Mantor about it later. Curious now if this will come up later in the minicomics or if we’re going to forget this all once the next comic hits.
Overall this was a really decent comic. The battles were interesting for what page count we had, we got a bit of Symbion lore, and the villain loses despite this being his issue. I’m okay with this.
Next time we have one or two spots depending on which I can find. There’s another Spider-Man comic from Peter Pan peanut butter and that’s next in the rotation, but if I can’t find it, it’s back to robots and the Starriors.
BW Media Spotlight 