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Tales of the Starlight Drive-In #8

By Dan Horn
March 22, 2010 - 10:10

Visionary Comics’ Tales of the Starlight Drive-In is something of an enigma in the current comic industry. With little-to-no action and leaning heavy on dialogue and a sort of real-life-fable mechanic, this ongoing series takes us on a cinematic journey, recounting the past 50 years and the films that helped shape them. Manned by AWOL veteran Neil, an ever-changing supervisory staff, and some college kids trying to make a few bucks, the drive-in becomes a crux where moviegoers’ lives collide, become entangled, and change forever.

In issue #8, we are taken back to the late 90s, where we see such decade cinema staples as Twister, Primary Colors, and Wag the Dog. Each film has its own story to tell off-screen: A tornado ironically threatens to tear apart the Starlight during a screening of Twister, and a projector room mutiny ensues; President Bill Clinton closes down the Starlight for a private viewing of Primary Colors and grants a strange favor in return; A few “old school” reporters (characters from San Giacomo’s Phantom Jack series) share “war stories” and discover the next generation of journalism at a 23rd anniversary showing of All the President’s Men.

To be honest, the Twister story was mediocre at best, but San Giacomo recovers nicely from the momentary lapse in writing ability. The following chapters are imaginative and mellow, and they charmingly depict the magic of the drive-in theater. If nothing else, this comic is different and serves as a showcase of some great artwork from Pica, McCusker, and Geabhart. Tales of the Starlight Drive-In is a niche title for fans of light introspective fiction and American pop-culture, but it’s an interesting read nonetheless.

#8 is available in both print and digital versions from VisionaryComics.com for only $0.99.

Rating: 7 /10

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12