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Tom Strong #6
Tom Strong, Book Six
Written by Alan Moore, Michael Moorcock and others Art by Chris Sprouse, Jerry Ordway, Ben Oliver and others Cover by Sprouse & Jose Villarrubia Alan Moore and Chris Sprouse return for one grand, final story in which Tom Strong and family are on hand for the apocalypse. All this and more awaits in this wondrous final installment of the Tom Strong saga collecting issues #31-36 of the classic series!
160 pages, Hardcover
First published September 27, 2006
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About the author
Alan Moore
1,575 books21.7k followersAlan Moore is an English writer most famous for his influential work in comics, including the acclaimed graphic novels Watchmen, V for Vendetta and From Hell. He has also written a novel, Voice of the Fire, and performs "workings" (one-off performance art/spoken word pieces) with The Moon and Serpent Grand Egyptian Theatre of Marvels, some of which have been released on CD.
As a comics writer, Moore is notable for being one of the first writers to apply literary and formalist sensibilities to the mainstream of the medium. As well as including challenging subject matter and adult themes, he brings a wide range of influences to his work, from the literary–authors such as William S. Burroughs, Thomas Pynchon, Robert Anton Wilson and Iain Sinclair; New Wave science fiction writers such as Michael Moorcock; horror writers such as Clive Barker; to the cinematic–filmmakers such as Nicolas Roeg. Influences within comics include Will Eisner, Harvey Kurtzman, Jack Kirby and Bryan Talbot.
As a comics writer, Moore is notable for being one of the first writers to apply literary and formalist sensibilities to the mainstream of the medium. As well as including challenging subject matter and adult themes, he brings a wide range of influences to his work, from the literary–authors such as William S. Burroughs, Thomas Pynchon, Robert Anton Wilson and Iain Sinclair; New Wave science fiction writers such as Michael Moorcock; horror writers such as Clive Barker; to the cinematic–filmmakers such as Nicolas Roeg. Influences within comics include Will Eisner, Harvey Kurtzman, Jack Kirby and Bryan Talbot.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 4, 2019
Very nice blend of SiFi and superhero genres. Well written and good art make this an enjoyable read. Recommended
December 17, 2014
So I largely gave up on Tom Strong with book 4, but then when I heard that Moorcock was writing part of book 6, I had to pick it up, and filled in book 5 to finish the collection. I've never thought that Strong was Moore's strongest title in the ABC series; the pulpish deconstruction had been done before. Moore abandoning the title in these last volumes to a rotating array of writers didn't help either. So, this volume was largely mediocre, with me really only finding it worthwhile because I'm a Moorcock fan.
The Black Blade of the Barbary Coast (31-32). A nice crossover with Moorcock's Metatemporal Detective, though I suspect it might be over the head of readers not familiar with Moorcock's series. It's a bit simplistic in the end for its capture-the-flag plot, but it's still mostly a fun read [6+/10].
The Journey Within (33). An amusing take on Fantasy Voyage with some nice philosophy at the end, but nothing about the story stands out [5/10].
The Spires of Samakhara (34). A neat mystery as the fictional world intersects with Tom's reality. The actual revelations that end it are a bit more mundane, but it's a neat setup [6+/10].
Cold Calling (35). A nice twist on a simple pulp story, but ultimately it's once again pretty shallow [5+/10].
The End of the World (36). Some fun crossovers, but the story really excels in its look at Tom's backstory. Still, it's a story that he's mainly a viewer in, not an actor [6+/10].
The Black Blade of the Barbary Coast (31-32). A nice crossover with Moorcock's Metatemporal Detective, though I suspect it might be over the head of readers not familiar with Moorcock's series. It's a bit simplistic in the end for its capture-the-flag plot, but it's still mostly a fun read [6+/10].
The Journey Within (33). An amusing take on Fantasy Voyage with some nice philosophy at the end, but nothing about the story stands out [5/10].
The Spires of Samakhara (34). A neat mystery as the fictional world intersects with Tom's reality. The actual revelations that end it are a bit more mundane, but it's a neat setup [6+/10].
Cold Calling (35). A nice twist on a simple pulp story, but ultimately it's once again pretty shallow [5+/10].
The End of the World (36). Some fun crossovers, but the story really excels in its look at Tom's backstory. Still, it's a story that he's mainly a viewer in, not an actor [6+/10].
October 21, 2021
Besides the last issue, which was beautiful, this was easily the weakest so far I felt a lot of the stories just didn't have enough to them and they weren't as intriguing as previous issues. The two part pirate issues at the start is pretty much entirely saved by Jerry Ordway's great art. The issue where Pneuman is glitching out had some interesting ideas but none of them really fit together and it could've been more focused. I'm happy the Dr. Permafrost story got a conclusion though I'm a fan of his costume design.
The final issue however marked both the return of Alan Moore to the series and the end of the series. I'm really happy I waited until after I read Promethea before reading it though since this is a tie in with the ending of that series. And the knowledge and overall context Promethea gives made this issue have more impact. It was cool seeing all the other ABC characters. I appreciated how it highlighted the certain moments from Promethea while moving it to the specific perspective of Tom Strong. It really felt like a thoughtful end to the series.
I'd say I was going to miss these characters if I wasn't 100% certain I'd be rereading these books probably some time soon.
The final issue however marked both the return of Alan Moore to the series and the end of the series. I'm really happy I waited until after I read Promethea before reading it though since this is a tie in with the ending of that series. And the knowledge and overall context Promethea gives made this issue have more impact. It was cool seeing all the other ABC characters. I appreciated how it highlighted the certain moments from Promethea while moving it to the specific perspective of Tom Strong. It really felt like a thoughtful end to the series.
I'd say I was going to miss these characters if I wasn't 100% certain I'd be rereading these books probably some time soon.
October 1, 2019
This is really more of a 3.5-star outing, but I'm giving this volume a bump just for its excellent, moving finale (with Alan Moore finally back to writing), as well as Peter Hogan and Chris Sprouse's solid, loose-end-tying penultimate issue.
Similar to my thoughts on Volume 5, I find that the first few stories in this book don't really hold a candle to Moore's earlier work. I'd go so far as to say the first story, a weird, off-model pirate story by Michael Moorcock, fully sucks. I found it simultaneously unfollowable and simplistic, which is really a tough combo to pull off.
From there things improve, with a Fantastic Voyage-style romp through Pneuman's inner workings by Joe Casey, followed by a metaphysical journey through a psychedelic desert (in which Tom Strong has to battle fiction itself) by Steve Moore. While these both lack the heart Alan Moore often poured into these stories, they had enough of the high concept stuff that I felt at home with them.
Then the final two stories really landed for me. Peter Hogan takes over to wrap things up with the villain Dr. Permafrost, long after the events of Tom Strong #24 left some aspects of that story dangling. Hogan really nails the tone of this series, as evidenced by his great work on the spinoff Terra Obscura. I wish he'd written a lot more of these single issues in the leadup to the finale, but oh well. At least I get to see what he does with the Strong family in The Robots of Doom and Planet of Peril.
Then, we have Moore's touching, wonderful final issue, which overlaps directly with the final story arc of his other series Promethea. I really loved this. Moore doesn't miss a beat stepping back into this world he created, and the blending of Tom Strong's science-driven adventuring and Promethea's psychedelic emotional magic really makes for a wonderful tone. Seeing these characters at essentially the end of the world really puts things in perspective for the series, and there are a few final reveals in this story that I really dug.
So, while I don't necessarily think the first half of this book is necessary, the final two stories feel all but essential for Tom Strong fans. The book makes for a fitting tribute and an excellent finale. I'm going to miss this series.
Similar to my thoughts on Volume 5, I find that the first few stories in this book don't really hold a candle to Moore's earlier work. I'd go so far as to say the first story, a weird, off-model pirate story by Michael Moorcock, fully sucks. I found it simultaneously unfollowable and simplistic, which is really a tough combo to pull off.
From there things improve, with a Fantastic Voyage-style romp through Pneuman's inner workings by Joe Casey, followed by a metaphysical journey through a psychedelic desert (in which Tom Strong has to battle fiction itself) by Steve Moore. While these both lack the heart Alan Moore often poured into these stories, they had enough of the high concept stuff that I felt at home with them.
Then the final two stories really landed for me. Peter Hogan takes over to wrap things up with the villain Dr. Permafrost, long after the events of Tom Strong #24 left some aspects of that story dangling. Hogan really nails the tone of this series, as evidenced by his great work on the spinoff Terra Obscura. I wish he'd written a lot more of these single issues in the leadup to the finale, but oh well. At least I get to see what he does with the Strong family in The Robots of Doom and Planet of Peril.
Then, we have Moore's touching, wonderful final issue, which overlaps directly with the final story arc of his other series Promethea. I really loved this. Moore doesn't miss a beat stepping back into this world he created, and the blending of Tom Strong's science-driven adventuring and Promethea's psychedelic emotional magic really makes for a wonderful tone. Seeing these characters at essentially the end of the world really puts things in perspective for the series, and there are a few final reveals in this story that I really dug.
So, while I don't necessarily think the first half of this book is necessary, the final two stories feel all but essential for Tom Strong fans. The book makes for a fitting tribute and an excellent finale. I'm going to miss this series.
April 7, 2020
Um fim bem morno pra fase Moore do Tom Strong (embora ele só tenha uma história aqui e muito poucas nos volumes anteriores). Esse volume tem uma história difícil de abertura (Moorcock escrevendo piratas era pra ser legal, mas não consegui embarcar) e finaliza com a participação de Strong no megaevento do selo ABC com o apocalipse provocado por Prometéia (que dá pra ver em mais detalhes nos encadernados dela). Agora parto para as aventuras do Strong sem a chancela do Alan Moore. De qualquer jeito, a jornada valeu a pena até aqui.
April 22, 2020
the series lost its way after Moore left, but he comes back for the final issue which also concludes the Promethea story (from Tom's perspective). issue #35 was also good. greta is great and should've gotten more time.
December 17, 2024
I have heard so much about Tom Strong and wanted to read it myself. While I could only get my hands on the last book, it is still pretty intriguing, and I would like to read about his earlier adventures.
February 14, 2011
Único tomo que leí sin poseer. Un digno final para una serie interesante y divertida por igual. La cantidad de disparates y aventuras colorinches que se pueden leer en estas páginas superan por mucho al promedio. Con mayor o menor éxito, varios guionistas y dibujantes dan sus versiones de la familia Strong, para cederle su correspondiente trono al rey para el capítulo final. Y es acá donde tengo mi mayor queja: no alcanza. Al margen de que parece que el final cierra sub-tramas pertenecientes a especiales o crossovers que no he leído, el único capítulo del que disponen Moore y Sprouse para despedirse suena a apurado, a "digamos mucho que queda poco". Eso no necesariamente es malo, pero habría sido lindo leerlo en un ritmo más prolijo. De todos modos, ni bien terminé esta serie me puse a leer el #1 de Terrific Tales, así que tardé poco en reencontrármelo a Tom y sus irregulares aventuras.
October 25, 2015
This felt pretty flat, with the ending being a tremendous anticlimax and the art in some of the stories seeming to get away from the artists.
Probably the biggest difference between this and the earlier books is that the earlier books built on many levels: Each story had more than one plot thread AND contributed to larger story. Here, each issue is extremely simple with one single plot flowing through it and no real connection to the next arc or issue.
Probably the biggest difference between this and the earlier books is that the earlier books built on many levels: Each story had more than one plot thread AND contributed to larger story. Here, each issue is extremely simple with one single plot flowing through it and no real connection to the next arc or issue.
October 16, 2015
Más artistas invitados para que cada uno dé su visión pulp de Tom Strong, sin que destaquen más que las originales de Alan Moore. El último número vuelve a manos de sus creadores, Moore y Sprouse, pero no pasa de ser un cierre que recuerda demasiado al de Promethea (para algo se han cruzado sus líneas argumentales), con alguna revelación sorprendente y nada más.
July 10, 2013
Alan Moore's usual obscure slant on story telling, Tom Strong is Moore's version of a Sliver Age comic book hero. A native of earth, Strong possesses super strength and is also a super scientist, traveling across many dimensions in his adventures. An enjoyable batch of pulp era adventures for modern readers.
September 21, 2014
La historia final fue buena, pero las otras historias precedentes fueron inferiores al promedio de la saga. Las ilustraciones fueron impecables y la resolución fue original. Hay que leerlo igual. Gran creación de Alan Moore, que me gustaría ver en la pantalla grande.
March 28, 2015
I never ordered this one online; knowing that Alan Moore hadn’t written most of them I wanted to browse through it by hand before purchasing it. It was surprisingly pleasant. The Michael Moorcock opener was a lot of fun, and the final crossover was, for me, a big—and happy—surprise.
April 5, 2008
Moore comes back to finish off his great character, which means half this book is pretty boring, and Moore's ties everything up so quickly you don't get his usual sci fi awesomeness.
July 2, 2015
Yowsers, what happened to this series?
August 6, 2016
A surprisingly whimpering ending.
December 11, 2016
Maybe 4.5
December 11, 2021
This one started to feel a bit long in the tooth, but oh fuck that ending! Fantastic! Full review to come later because my battery is dying.
August 9, 2011
Nice series.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews