Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 14

May 2, 2025: Our Columbo rewatch continues with “Publish or Perish”!

Our Columbo rewatch continues with…

“Publish or Perish”

This episode aired January 18, 1974.

Columbo joins Eileen and Neal for lunch at the famed Chasen’s Restaurant. The restaurant, that closed in 1995, was, ironically, well known for its chili.

The $6 chili would be equivalent to about $40 today.

This is the second of three episodes featuring Jack Cassidy as a murderer.

His character, Riley Greenleaf, wishes Columbo “all the luck” in solving this mystery, echoing the words of Ken Franklin, the character he played in “Murder by the Book”.

Writer Peter S. Fischer would go on to co-create the series Murder She Wrote with Columbo co-creator’s William Link and Richard Levinson. He wrote the part of Riley Greenleaf with actor Jack Klugman in mind: “I had written that character for Jack Krugman. I wanted the publisher to be much seedier, not the typical elegant Columbo villain. Dick (Levinson) said it works best when you take the scruffy little guy with the blue collar and put him up against diamond studs.” Apparently, Jack Klugman was an actor who Levinson had said should never be a Columbo murderer.

Jake Bender, who played the young messenger Wolpert, would go on to establish himself as a successful director, working on shows like The Sopranos, Lost, and From.

Actress Mariette Hartley, who played Eileen McRae, reflected on her guest appearance: “I didn’t have a great part, but it was great fun working with Peter and Jack Cassidy. They worked very hard, but it was loose. Jack Cassidy would chase me around the set. He was just terrible in a wonderful sort of way.”

Eileen and Jeffrey Neal inform Columbo that Rock Hudson was attached to star in an adaptation of one of Alan Mallory’s books. This was some not-so-subtle cross-promotion for Hudson’s series MacMillan and Wife, another Universal production.

My thoughts on this episode in chronological viewing order…

Loving the mid-explosion credits.

Eddie seems…how should I put it?…a tad on the psychotic side.

Oh, and he’s also a writer. Not surprising.

Is that…Mickey Spillane?

Clearly, no one likes the slick and seedy Greenleaf.

“My dear friend, if you do you will die.” – That sounds like a threat!

“He’ll never write for you or anyone else. And I shall see to it.” – Okay, confirming we’re in threat territory here.

The picture-in-picture and overlap of the conversation with the shot of Eddie pulling up to the place is pretty clever. Apparently, the episode was running long so director Robert Butler and editor Robert L. Kimble came up with some innovative ways to hit the desired runtime.

Love this split screen action. Very dynamic. This is a first for Columbo.

Clearly causing trouble so that he can establish an alibi, but why not just be loud and stay the night? The entire bar would be able to attest to his whereabouts.

“Sir, in your condition I should call the police.” “Ma’am, in your condition, I should call a plastic surgeon.” A variation on a Winston Churchill classic:
Lady Nancy Astor: “Sir, if you were my husband, I would poison your tea.”
Churchill: “Madam, if I were your husband, I would drink it.”

Columbo was up late watching a Bette Davis movie with his wife. He’s a big fan!

Columbo seems to be the only one interested in that recording.

He’s just going to carry the gun out like that? When were evidence bags invented?

Aha! Motive. Mallory was going to leave him for another publisher.

He also made threats. This is either a very sloppy murder or he wants everyone to assume he’s been set up.

His gun has been tied to the crime scene. So, yes, he’s going for set-up.

He claims he doesn’t even remember what he did the previous night – but the insurance company can provide an alibi. How fortuitous.

Columbo seems genuinely relieved for Greeleaf, even giving him a comradely pat on the back. I found that kinda delightful.

Lawyer David Chase (presumably named after Sopranos creator David Chase who was a writer working for Universal at the time) admonishes Columbo: “Find the evidence, lieutenant. Quit jumping to conclusions and quit trying to take the easy way.”

A chastened Columbo goes to leave…and then: “One more thing…”

“And when you said you were relieved that those people – more than one – when you were relieved that those people called your insurance man, I thought maybe the blackout was starting to clear up and you were beginning to remember what happened.” His first mistake is a big one. Now Columbo is never going to let this go.

“There’s a strange man wandering around the editorioal section.”
“Call the police.
“He says he IS the police.”

“But you know you were very lucky. I mean with that accident. I mean the time it happened and the witnesses. Count your blessings, sir.”
“If it hadn’t been for that accident, things would’ve looked very bad for you.”
Columbo is so on to him and Greenleaf knows it.

Love the posters of the book covers adorning the wall: “My Home Was a House” and “Modern Aztec Courtship Practices”.

Columbo floats the idea of trying his hand at writing. “Maybe a short book, just to get the hang of it…” Reminds me of someone who once informed me: “You have the best job in the world. You just sit around all day, making stuff up.”

But Columbo is under no allusions as to how tough it is: “It’s hard at home with the family.” Especially with the demands of a blind puggle!

Hmmm. Greenleaf took out a million dollar insurance policy on Mallory’s life. Not sure this whole “make everyone think you’ve been framed” plan was such a good idea after all. I mean, maybe this could fly on McCloud or even MacMillan and Wife, but certainly not on Columbo.

This whole lock and key thing is confusing.

Uh, I’d be highly suspicious of anyone wearing black leather gloves indoors as he pours me a drink.

Eddie kinda reminds me of Steve Buscemi.

“How To Blow Up Anything in Ten Easy Lessons”. Sadly, I am unable to find a copy of this book on Amazon.

“Don’t I need a parking check?”asks Columbo. “Listen mister, I’ll remember your car,” the valet assures him.

“Sweetbreads Financier. I can’t pronounce that, uh.” I’d actually order that over the chili.

Classic Columbo, asking for catsup and crackers at the high-end restaurant: “I wanted to get those saltines…”

Love the little exchange with the waiter where a shocked Columbo has the iced tea added to his bill. Actor Maurice Marsac, who played the waiter, was a Captain in the French Army reserves during WWII. He was a nationally ranked croquet player and actually came to the U.S. as a wine salesman.

Columbo says they found a letter addressed to Greenleaf from months ago – but if that’s the case, shouldn’t the letter have been sent? Assume this is a carbon copy?

Greenleaf blames Eddie for not accepting the five thousand dollar offer for his book idea.

“I guess he killed Alan and he tried to frame me. You know, in many ways I’m really to blame.” Yes, Riley. You certainly are.

That cop standing in the hallway looks like a young Lee Majors.

“This writing is not as easy as it looks.” The writers must have loved putting these words in Falk’s mouth.

He mentions the Hayward case again from two episodes back!

“I got it all up here. I can’t put it down here.” Oh, I know how you feel, Columbo. I know how you feel.

“That lock wasn’t on the door that night.” Uh, why did Columbo ask to have the lock changed? I mean, it worked out for him, but what was he thinking at the time?

Another great Gotcha! How could Eddie have come up with an ending that wouldn’t be written for another nine months?!

This one was another very enjoyable episode, but it’s an episode that demands your full attention given its complexities (like that lock-and-key clue-line that, strangely, never fully pays off in the end). Still, “Publish or Perish” is incredibly well-paced and chock full of great Columbo moments, my favorite being the elevator sequence where Columbo not-so-subtly lets Greenleaf know he aint buying his alibis. And the entire sequence in which Greenleaf attempts to establish an alibi is fantastic. Falk is terrific as always and Jack Cassidy delivers yet another brilliant performance. I look forward to his third and final appearance as a diabolical magician. Kudos to the supporting cast, from the underutilized Mariette Hartley and Jacques Aubuchon to the maniacal John Davis Chandler as Eddie Kane. And, of course, Maurice Marsac as the snooty waiter.

So, where does this episode place in my ongoing rankings? Well, overall, I really liked this episode – but would dock it a few points for crossing the line from complex to confusing in some of its third act beats. Thus, my revised rankings would look like this: 1. Any Old Port in a Storm, 2. Double Exposure, 3. Double Shock, 4. A Stitch in Crime, 5. Death Lends a Hand, 6. Suitable for Framing, 7. Publish or Perish, 8. Dagger of the Mind, 9 Requiem for a Falling Star, 10. Prescription: Murder, 12. Murder by the Book/Ransom for a Dead Man (tie), 12. Lady in Waiting, 13. Etude in Black, 14. The Most Crucial Game, 15. Blueprint for Murder, 16. Lovely But Lethal, 17. The Most Dangerous Match, 18. The Greenhouse Jungle 19. Dead Weight, 0. Short Fuse, 21. Candidate for Crime.

Finally, time consider whether our murderer, Riley Greenleaf in this case, would be found GUILTY or win an ACQUITTAL based on the evidence. As in most Columbo cases, this one comes down to circumstantial evidence, but I think there’s enough of it here to convict…provided the prosecutor can lay it all out for the jury. So I say GUILTY!

The post May 2, 2025: Our Columbo rewatch continues with “Publish or Perish”! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

May 1, 2025: 100 Supervillain Stories – #32-34 (Killer Frost! Rhino! Gorilla Grodd!)

#32. “Cold Snap” (The Fury of Firestorm #21, 1983)

A dying Killer Frost goes on a destructive rampage, wreaking havoc in her insatiable quest for heat energy, setting up a final confrontation with her nemesis, Firestorm.

Writer: Gerry Conway
Artist/Storyteller: Rafael Kayanan
Artist/Embellisher: Rodin Rodriguez
Colorist: Carl Gafford
Letterer: John Costanza

This single issue tale doesn’t really delve into the psychological effects of being faced with one’s mortality, choosing instead to simply have Killer Frost go off an unhinged reign of destruction, motivated more by a need to absorb heat rather than any emotional impetus. As a result, it feels like a missed opportunity. The dialogue is woefully dated (cue that Hill Street Blues reference!) but the story is neverthelessnotable for marking Crystal Frost’s final appearance.

#33. “Flowers for Rhino” (Spider-Man’s Tangled Web 5-6, 2001)

The dim-witted Rhino undergoes a brain operation that transforms him into a super-genius.

Writer: Peter Milligan
Artist: Duncan
Colorist: Steve
Letter: Comicraft’s Wes

This one’s a fun riff on Flowers for Algernon, charting the Rhino’s turn from doltish brute to pompous intellectual and back. At two issues, however, it all feels a tad too compressed as we don’t get around to the procedure until halfway through our story, leaving little room for the progression to Rhino’s realization that he was really better off where he started. The tragic repercussions are given short shrift in favor of comedy and I think that’s a shame because this one had the potential to be a memorably bittersweet tale.

#34. “Grodd of War” (2011)

While the Amazons and the Atlanteans vie for the remains of Europe and America struggles to survive the global onslaught, Gorilla Grodd stakes his own claim in the world of FLASHPOINT. But once you’ve conquered the world you knew, what else is there left to do?

Writer: Sean Ryan
Penciler: Ig Guara
Inker: Ruy Jose
Colorist Stefani Rennee
Letterer: Carlos M. Mangual

This story examines what really drives Gorilla Grodd in his bid for conquest and control, suggesting it’s only the challenge of the chase that feeds this deep-seated resolve. Victory, it turns out, is hollow. Not just hollow, but a point of immense frustration that prompts him to risk everything in an attempt to recapture the highs of its dangerous pursuit. It’s a fascinating idea that is, in the end, only superficially explored here.

The post May 1, 2025: 100 Supervillain Stories – #32-34 (Killer Frost! Rhino! Gorilla Grodd!) appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

May 1, 2025: 100 Supervillain Stories – #32-24 (Killer Frost! Rhino! Gorilla Grodd!)

#32. “Cold Snap” (The Fury of Firestorm #21, 1983)

A dying Killer Frost goes on a destructive rampage, wreaking havoc in her insatiable quest for heat energy, setting up a final confrontation with her nemesis, Firestorm.

Writer: Gerry Conway
Artist/Storyteller: Rafael Kayanan
Artist/Embellisher: Rodin Rodriguez
Colorist: Carl Gafford
Letterer: John Costanza

This single issue tale doesn’t really delve into the psychological effects of being faced with one’s mortality, choosing instead to simply have Killer Frost go off an unhinged reign of destruction, motivated more by a need to absorb heat rather than any emotional impetus. As a result, it feels like a missed opportunity. The dialogue is woefully dated (cue that Hill Street Blues reference!) but the story is neverthelessnotable for marking Crystal Frost’s final appearance.

#33. “Flowers for Rhino” (Spider-Man’s Tangled Web 5-6, 2001)

The dim-witted Rhino undergoes a brain operation that transforms him into a super-genius.

Writer: Peter Milligan
Artist: Duncan
Colorist: Steve
Letter: Comicraft’s Wes

This one’s a fun riff on Flowers for Algernon, charting the Rhino’s turn from doltish brute to pompous intellectual and back. At two issues, however, it all feels a tad too compressed as we don’t get around to the procedure until halfway through our story, leaving little room for the progression to Rhino’s realization that he was really better off where he started. The tragic repercussions are given short shrift in favor of comedy and I think that’s a shame because this one had the potential to be a memorably bittersweet tale.

#34. “Grodd of War” (2011)

While the Amazons and the Atlanteans vie for the remains of Europe and America struggles to survive the global onslaught, Gorilla Grodd stakes his own claim in the world of FLASHPOINT. But once you’ve conquered the world you knew, what else is there left to do?

Writer: Sean Ryan
Penciler: Ig Guara
Inker: Ruy Jose
Colorist Stefani Rennee
Letterer: Carlos M. Mangual

This story examines what really drives Gorilla Grodd in his bid for conquest and control, suggesting it’s only the challenge of the chase that feeds this deep-seated resolve. Victory, it turns out, is hollow. Not just hollow, but a point of immense frustration that prompts him to risk everything in an attempt to recapture the highs of its dangerous pursuit. It’s a fascinating idea that is, in the end, only superficially explored here.

The post May 1, 2025: 100 Supervillain Stories – #32-24 (Killer Frost! Rhino! Gorilla Grodd!) appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

April 30, 2025: Amazing Covers!

A few that caught my eye this week…

Kid Juggernaut #1 – cover art by Dike Ruan

The Department of Truth #31 – cover art by Martin Simmonds

Grim #22 – cover art by Flaviano

Batman/Superman: World’s Finest Annual 2025 #1 – cover art by Salvador Larroca

Detective Comics 2025 Annual #1 – cover art by John McCrea

The Question: All Along the Watchtower #6 – cover art by Denys Cowan

Zenescope Legends: Spring 2025 – cover art by Josh Burns

So, which were YOUR favorites?

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April 29, 2025: The Tuesday Report!

I’m a Hard Watch.  I enjoy roughly 1 in every 5 shows I watch (Of the 750+ international crime shows I’ve watched to date, I’ve been able to recommend about 150).  I also a Hard Read.  Almost 50 stores into this 100 Supervillain Stories comic book marathon I’m doing, I can honestly say I really liked 9.  And 50 books into this Crime Novel binge I’m currently into, I can, in all good conscience, only recommend 8 of them.  Speaking of the latter, I’m going to post my recommendations in the days ahead.

What about you?  Are you a Hard Watch or a Hard Read?  What will make you abandon a show or book?  For me, I’d say I DNF (Did Not Finish) about a third of what I check out.  For various reasons.  Deal-breakers for me are cliche dialogue and characters, predictable plotting, slow pace, and heavy-handed social and political commentary.  I actually prefer these bad books over mediocre reads because, if I know a book isn’t for me, I can’t simply stop ready and move on.  Mediocre books, on the other hand, offer the hope of something more – which keeps me reading to inevitable disappointing conclusion.

I’ve read 45 of the 48 books long listed in four categories for the Crime Writers Association Dagger Awards.  And have decided to add one more category…

Anything catch your eye?

Made an appointment with the physiotherapist for Thursday.  My longtime shoulder issues have cropped up again, possibly exacerbated by some heavy chest press last month.  I’m also experiencing neck stiffness and pain at night, this one possibly the result of being mowed down by a cyclist speeding the wrong way down a one way street in January.

How go your various aches and pains?

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April 28, 2025: Our Columbo rewatch continues with…Double Exposure!

This episode aired December 16, 1973.

Subliminal advertising was an invention of James Vicary, a market researcher, who claimed to have inserted subliminal frames of Coca-Cola and popcorn during a screening of a movie which resulted in an 18% increase in Coca-Cola sales and a 58% increase in popcorn sales. Under scrutiny however, Vicary admitted he had concocted the entire scenario in a bid to save his floundering marketing business.

This is the only episode of Columbo written by Rockford Files creator and t.v. veteran Stephen J. Cannell. He apparently wrote the role of Dr. Bart Kepple with Robert Culp in mind. It was actually a spec script Cannell wrote during the writers’ strike and later dropped off at producer Dean Hargrove’s office.

According to Cannell: “I was an avid viewer of the series. It was my perception that it worked best in the first year when the premise was that an urbane, sophisticated man or woman, for reasons of complete personal gain or jealousy, would commit a perfect murder – and intelligent murder. He was completely sure of himself and along would come this shambling guy in a raincoat. At first amused by this little guy, the murderer slowly would realize that he had a major intellect on his hands. It became mano a mano. That led to the classic scene where Columbo and the murderer would sit opposite each other the murderer says “You think I committed this murder.” And Columbo says “Aw, gee, if I ever made you feel like that…” Then the guy would say “Cut the shit. You know and I know that I did this, but you’ll never prove it.” So Columbo would force him into a second move – a stupid movie – that would incriminate him. In the second season, I saw more crimes of passion. I thought it should be a cold-blooded, sophisticated, planned murder.”

This was Robert Culp’s third of four villainous appearances on the show.

Chuck McMann, who played a projectionist in this episode, also starred as the projections in the 1970 film The Projectionist.

Star Trek/Twilight Zone/Outer Limits veteran Arlene Martel is credited as Tanya Baker, but never appears in this episode. Apparently, this was originally one of those longer episodes that ended up being trimmed for syndication.

The 50k Vic Norris attempts to blackmail Kepple out of would be about 3.5 million in “today dollars”.

My thoughts on this episode in chronological viewing order…

This feels like one of the most elaborately planned murders to date.

A lot of his plan hinges on some massive assumptions: the caviar making his victim inordinately thirsty, the wife setting out to meet at the appointment time and place, the subliminal messages actually working.

Was no one else in the theater allowed to eat any caviar?

I like the shot of the executives physically bracing themselves in their seats when the bikini model comes onscreen.

It would have been far easier if, instead of hoping all of these pieces fall into place, he had just laced that caviar with some diuretic that would cause his victim to rush to the washroom – where he would be waiting for him. Though, admittedly, a tox screen would give it away.

No one heard the shot?

Why does Dr. Kepple turn on that tape recorder at the scene?

Love Columbo helping himself to all the leftover food at the crime scene.

Columbo is hungry because he was working late on that Hayward case. Is this the first time Columbo has made mention of a previous case?

Columbo spooning the caviar directly into his mouth. How gauche!

“Mr. Kepple?” “Doctor Kepple.” I don’t like him already. It’s like Ben Kingsley insisting he be referred to as Sir Ben.

Roger White offers his iced tea but gives him a stingy pour.

“Sorry to bother you again, Mr. Kepple.”
“Doctor Kepple.”
“DOCTOR Kepple. Why can’t I remember that?”
Columbo already getting under his skin.

“That was my observation. You’re a man of enormous self-control.” Yeah, he already has his #1 suspect.

Still don’t understand why he felt the need to turn on that tape recorder at the crime scene.

“If my mother decided to murder me, she could come up with a better alibi than you got.” Interesting, yet accurate, reasoning.

“Hey, that’s me!”says Columbo upon seeing himself on the monitor, then turns, trips over a cable, and disrupts the feed. Like a writer their first day on set.

Boy, that is some yellow jacket Kepple is wearing. Sorry, Dr. Kepple.

Uh oh. Roger White is about to go the way of every other dimwit to blackmail a murderer on this show.

Pretty easy to break into homes in the old days. All you needed was a credit card!

How did he know the gun would be there? Spoiler: Turns out that in the lengthier uncut version, there is an early scene that takes place at Vic Norris’ home where the big man pulls a gun on Kepple. It does feel strange without it.

Oh, you’ve got to be kidding,”says Roger when Kepple pulls a gun on him. Really, Roger? Have you never watched an episode of Columbo?

Hey, SG-1 “Prometheus”‘s Al Martell is the film editor.

Boy, the eyelines in this elevator scene are way off. Columbo must be the size of a hobbit in relation to Kepple. Sorry. DOCTOR Kepple.

“Okay, shoot.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Okay, I’m waiting.”
lol

Columbo admits he stole something that belonged to him…the caviar! We have already established the fact that Columbo is a kleptomaniac.

Columbo found the caviar too salty? Hunh. Must’ve been the cheap stuff.

Aha! The autopsy reveals the victim ate a lot of caviar.

Aha! Columbo forces Dr. Kepple to lay out the whole subliminal messaging scenario.

Aha! No splices in the film!

“Which is line 2?”asks Columbo. “The second one,”says the secretary.

The verbal sparring at the golf course is absolutely brilliant and one of my very favorite scenes in this series to date.

Kepple admits he was having an affair with Tanya Baker and Columbo reassures him he doesn’t work for the vice squad. Was adultery a chargeable offense in the 70’s?

Again with that damn tape recorder. What was the point of that?

Aha! There was no nickel on the floor! Leading me to assume that projection booth is usually littered with nickels.

“For a while there I thought I was going to spoil your game.”
“Not a chance, lieutenant.”
Brilliant.

“I’m not searching, I’m looking.” Great line.

A calibration convertor hidden in the lamp! Uh, why did he not get rid of it anytime after the murder?

Columbo used his own subliminal cuts against him! And the good (bad) doctor respects him for it.

The whole subliminal messaging angle is a HUGE BUY and if you can’t get on board with it, you’ll probably consider this a heavily flawed episode. BUT if you can get onboard, then it turns out to be one of Columbo’s best outings. In the end, I came on board and really, REALLY loved it. This is my favorite Robert Culp performance as well. He and Falk were brilliant together. That scene on the golf course was perfection. Just one thing..why the hell DID Kepple bring out his tape recorder and press play when they discovered the body? Also, why didn’t Kepple ditch the evidence at any point after the murder? Anyone?

My revised episode rankings: 1. Any Old Port in a Storm, 2. Double Exposure, 3. Double Shock, 4. A Stitch in Crime, 5. Death Lends a Hand, 6. Suitable for Framing, 7. Dagger of the Mind, 8 Requiem for a Falling Star, 9. Prescription: Murder, 10. Murder by the Book/Ransom for a Dead Man (tie), 11. Lady in Waiting, 12. Etude in Black, 13. The Most Crucial Game, 14. Blueprint for Murder, 15. Lovely But Lethal, 16. The Most Dangerous Match, 17. The Greenhouse Jungle 18. Dead Weight, 19. Short Fuse, 20. Candidate for Crime.

Finally, time to consider whether Columbo’s evidence is enough to convict our murderer. Is Dr. Kepple looking at a GUILTY verdict or will he be looking at an ACQUITTAL? Well, in this case, that calibration converter is pretty damning. The good (bad) doctor is going down.

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April 27, 2025: Sharky Sunday!

Big fish!

Taking his breakfast in bed…

Enjoying some peanut butter…

Sharky’s gives mom her birthday presents…

Gooood morning!

Our happy boy…

\Sharky’s memoirs: Chapter 9!

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April 26, 2025: 100 Supervillains Stories – #29-31: Doctor Octopus! The Riddler! Taskmaster!

#29. “Doctor Octopus: Negative Exposure”

A Daily Bugle photographer, jealous of Peter Parker’s photographs, may hinder Spider-Man as he faces off with Doctor Octopus.

Writer: Brian K. Vaughan
Penciler: Staz Johnson
Inker: Danny Miki
Colors: Avalon Studios
Letterer: Virtual Calligraphy’s Rus Wooton

The focus is on an embittered Daily Bugle photographer and his quest to best rival Peter Parker while Dr. Octopus’s presence serves as mere plot device. No insights are offered into his character and, in the end, the story could have swapped out Doc Ock for any Spider-Man villain and it would have amounted to the same thing.

#30. “Riddle Me That” (Legends of the Dark Knight #185-189)

The Riddler returns to Gotham, a whole new villain with a whole new deadly plan.

Writer: Shane McCarthy
Penciler: Tommy Castillo
Inker: Rodney Ramos
Collorist: Tony Avina
Letterers: Todd Klein, Pat Brosseau

Historically, the Riddler’s portrayal has vacillated between ruthless criminal mastermind and nuisance buffoon but “Riddle Me That” reinvents him as a cold-blooded pretty boy with Edwardian flair (complete with neck tat). As a result, he seems more like a character at home in an early CW production, gorgeous and showy, but lacking any of the villainous appeal that made even his more clownish outings compelling. The most interesting aspect of “Riddle Me That” is the exploration of Nigma’s backstory but, in the end, that too ends up feeling underbaked.

#31. “Taskmaster: Unthinkable” (Taskmaster #1-4, 2010)

An amnesiac Taskmaster has a billion-dollar bounty on his head, and every cadre of costumed fanatic is looking to collect. Now he fight his way through hordes of his psychopathic students in order to regain his memories and find out who framed him.

Writer: Fred Van Lente
Artist: Jefte Palo
Colorist: Jean-Francois Beaulieu
Letterer: Dave Lanphear

A terrific exploration of one of Marvel’s lesser-known baddies, this story hits the ground running, offering a mix of action, humor, and a surprisingly relatable character in Taskmaster, a villain rendered suddenly vulnerable by the loss his memories. It can get a little annoyingly over-the-top at times, veering into tonal territory akin to Deadpool, but the personal quest at its heart keeps it grounded and the various narrative twists keep us guessing.

The post April 26, 2025: 100 Supervillains Stories – #29-31: Doctor Octopus! The Riddler! Taskmaster! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

April 25, 2025: Our Columbo rewatch continues with “Candidate for Crime”!

This episode aired November 4, 1973.

Katey Sagal, who has a bit part as a secretary at campaign headquarters, is the daughter of Boris Sagal who directed this episode.

Actor Robert Karnes, who played Sergeant Vernon in this episode, played Sergeant Grover in The Greenhouse Jungle (1972).

This was one of the rare episodes in which Columbo appeared before the murder is committed. According to Peter Falk: “That was nice. You’re not supposed to see him for twenty minutes and, all of a sudden, he’s the first thing you see.”

My thoughts in chronological viewing order…

That t.v. remote looks like an old Star Trek tricorder.

Wait! Hayward was lying about the threats to his life? A lying politician?

He can’t smoke cigars because they’re bad for his political image. Boy, times have changed. Now anything goes!

Conveniently, the four cops assigned to his security detail are so inept they fail to notice him walk to his car.

He kills his campaign manager. Not only a liar, but ruthless as well. He’s sure to get elected!

Clever – breaking the watch to establish the timeline.

Vickie Hayward doesn’t notice two dozen people sneaking into her house? How drunk is she?

“Take my advice, lieutenant. Change your name. And don’t bite down on anything hard.” Great, but what was the point of this scene?

“That’s what we used to do,”says Columbo. “Throw rocks at the street light.” An admission of guilt. What is the statute of limitations on vandalism?

“What was he talking about?”
“Who?”
“That detective”
“I don’t know, I wasn’t listening.”
To be fair, this garage scene is interminable so you can be excused for drifting off.

Upon finding out some other guy died instead of Hayward, Columbo: “Oh boy, what a relief.” Phew! Fortunately, it was only the unloved campaign manager.

Because this is a low priority murderer, Columbo lands the case. Odd given suggestions in earlier episodes that he was the toast of the department.

When she can’t convince Columbo to go around back and help himself to a piece of cake, Vickie Hayward relents and guides him through the party by the hand like some toddler.

Why would he claim he gave his security detail the slip because he needed to go celebrate his wife’s birthday? Why wouldn’t he be allowed to go? This makes no sense.

Come on the campaign trail with me. It’ll be fun! Bring your secretary! Maybe tell her to bring lingerie because who knows who she might meet!

Columbo is an undecided voter. Love the fact he is brutally honest.

Officially, we don’t have a thing. Unoficially, we don’t have anything either.

What the heck is going on with Columbo’s meandering/frazzled explanation? What are those magnetized car icons sticking to?

Columbo’s argument is that it was too dark to shoot the victim in the carport? What? If I was Hayward, I would point out that, yes, it was dark – which is why they shot the wrong guy!

Columbo points out the secretary did not take the itinerary with her. Why didn’t Hayward just say he wanted to make some last minute changes and planned to give her a revised version later?

Aha! The engine was cold. THAT was a good bit of detecting.

Vito Scotti as the tailor is brilliant – even though the scene goes on way too long.

Going to an affair. His wife’s bowling league. $17.50 a couple!

The secretary is evasive. Columbo: “Well I’m sure that’s what attracted you to him. As a candidate.” Zing.

What the hell is going on with this road check scene? Another pointless narrative meander.

Could Columbo have simply told us he timed the drive in a later scene instead of having us go through this entire sequence. Same goes for the ensuing drawn-out garage scene. He found out off-screen that the garage was closed that night.

One of the rare occasions where Columbo turns down a drink!

The whole jacket-timeline-as-clue feels like a bit of a reach.

Boy, do these scenes feel padded.

Hang on a sec. Columbo casts suspicion on the timeline because “where did the killer make the call after the murder?”. But if the murder was a mob hit, then it wouldn’t have been just a single individual involved. One could have made the hit, the other the call, no?

WAAAAITAMINUTE! Columbo deduces that someone wearing those particular shoes would likely wear that particular watch…which happens to be unbreakable – thus concluding the campaign manager’s watch was switched? What is this nonsense?! Am I still watching Columbo?

Why is Hayward continuing this charade of pretending to be threatened by the mob?

How could his secretary being the one to find the threatening note on his desk make it any less likely that he was the one who put it there? This makes no sense.

The election news coverage feels pretty padded as well.

Sgt. Vernon doesn’t notice the weighty gun and attached suppressor in Hayward’s jacket when he hangs it up? Come on.

A firecracker? Really? And nobody: a) notices the remnants of said firecracker on the floor or b) notes the linger odor those things give off?

Okay, as far as Gotcha’s go, this was a good one but…

This episode was, in a word, awful. The absolute worst episode to date. Padded, plodding, full of extraneous scenes, suspect logic and a murder lacking strong motivation. He killed his campaign manager because he told him to stop seeing his girlfriend? Hayward, you’re a grown man and your campaign manager isn’t your mom. Tell him to F off. He has as much to lose as you do if he reveals the truth about your affair.

Occasionally, I will come across an episode of television or movie so poorly written that it makes me angry. “Candidate for Crime” is the first Columbo instant of this. And I’m amazed that some fans think highly enough of it to even consider it middling. Woof.

My revised episode rankings: 1. Any Old Port in a Storm, 2. Double Shock, 3. A Stitch in Crime, 4. Death Lends a Hand, 5. Suitable for Framing, 6. Dagger of the Mind, 7 Requiem for a Falling Star, 8. Prescription: Murder, 9. Murder by the Book/Ransom for a Dead Man (tie), 10. Lady in Waiting, 11. Etude in Black, 12. The Most Crucial Game, 13. Blueprint for Murder, 14. Lovely But Lethal, 15. The Most Dangerous Match, 16. The Greenhouse Jungle 17. Dead Weight, 18. Short Fuse, 19 and Dead Last. Candidate for Crime.

Finally, let’s consider the evidence and decide whether our murderer will be found GUILTY or escape with an ACQUITTAL. Well, since Hayward was stupid enough to push this whole “mob is gunning for me” angle even after it was wholly unnecessary, he handed Columbo the evidence that directly links him to the murder. The idiot is going away for a long time. GUILTY.

The post April 25, 2025: Our Columbo rewatch continues with “Candidate for Crime”! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

April 24, 2025: The Thursday Report!

Tomorrow, I head off to Montreal for four days.  But not before dropping my breakdown of our next Columbo episode – “Candidate for Crime”!

Senatorial candidate Nelson Hayward murders his domineering campaign manager, staging it to appear that Hayward himself was the intended victim of a mob hit gone wrong.

I, uh, have thoughts.

I also have some Stargate-related questions!

What was the most “morally grey” decision in Stargate history (e.g., O’Neill shutting down the gate on Alar in “The Other Side, the Hoffan drug, experimenting on Michael, body-swapping via the stones), and would you have made the same call?

and

What Stargate storyline do you wish had been further explored or revisited?

Have at it, Stargate fans!

Alright, I’m off to have a quick bite and a coffee ahead of this 5:00 p.m. pitch.  Wish me luck!

The post April 24, 2025: The Thursday Report! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.